Soft Summitar Coating

[beyond]

Hi all, It s well known that the Summitar has soft coating. I have acquired a nice copy recently. I was wondering how do I clean the surface of the lens without hurting the coating. I thank all suggestions in advance. 🙂

 

[payasam]

You might begin by searching RFF and the Internet for "lens cleaning".

 

[beyond]

Found this . Thanks.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44355

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I've cleaned my Summitar using an ammi=onia based eye-glass cleaner. Use Kodak lens paper, one to gently apply the liquid, and a dry one to very gently remove it. A no-lint lens cleaning paper will do. I'll also breathe on the lens to slow down the evaporation of the cleaner. Works for me.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

For all my lenses I use EcoVer: based on natural products, has a little alcohol in it:

http://www.ecover.com/Default.aspx?nc=y

 

[John Shriver]

Tomosy says to use a small amount of tissue, dampened with a lens cleaner (he's happy with Windex, I'm happy with Residual Oil Remover). Hold it at one end with forceps or hemostat, wipe only barely touching once across the lens with other end.

ANY pressure will remove the soft Leica coating on that lens. The tissue must be damp, touch it with dry tissue -- it will scratch. (Ask my Summitar how I know.)

The military Leica repair manual cites 180 proof alcohol as cleaning fluid.

If you can just blow the dust off, that's really the best solution.

 

[beyond]

OK. Thanks for the feedback guys.