When cleaning a photographic lens, which action should you avoid?

When cleaning a photographic lens, which action should you avoid?

• A. Use lens tissue
• B. Use canned air
• C. Use bulb syringe
• D. Scrub the lens

Answer: (D)

Gently removing dust and oils without scratching or removing coatings is the key. Scrubbing the lens is the action to avoid because it applies abrasive pressure that can scratch the glass and, more importantly, wear away protective and anti-reflective coatings. Those coatings keep light from scattering and maintain sharpness and contrast, so damaging them degrades image quality. Instead, start by loosening dust with a bulb syringe or a can of air held at a safe distance and used in short bursts. Then wipe with a lens tissue or microfiber cloth lightly, using a tiny amount of lens cleaner and gentle circular motions from the center outward. If there are stubborn smudges, use a fresh area of tissue and a little cleaner rather than applying pressure or scrubbing.

Gently removing dust and oils without scratching or removing coatings is the key. Scrubbing the lens is the action to avoid because it applies abrasive pressure that can scratch the glass and, more importantly, wear away protective and anti-reflective coatings. Those coatings keep light from scattering and maintain sharpness and contrast, so damaging them degrades image quality. Instead, start by loosening dust with a bulb syringe or a can of air held at a safe distance and used in short bursts. Then wipe with a lens tissue or microfiber cloth lightly, using a tiny amount of lens cleaner and gentle circular motions from the center outward. If there are stubborn smudges, use a fresh area of tissue and a little cleaner rather than applying pressure or scrubbing.