Need Advice: Lens Cleaning

[0ptimist]

The summary says it all. I want something to clean my Panasonic FZ15's lens (adding UV filter for protection would require the huge lens adapter on all the time, can't do that) and I don't want to buy the typical ones that are provided as "$150 value" kits with digital cameras if they're not good.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Do not purchase those "value-kits!"

 

[0ptimist]

Thank you, I was wary of these cheap ones, can you please guide me which stuff to buy? and where to buy from?

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: 0ptimist
Thank you, I was wary of these cheap ones, can you please guide me which stuff to buy? and where to buy from?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com has quality stuff

 

[DeviousTrap]

Cloth + Lens cleaner

http://www.2filter.com/prices/products/photoclear.html

 

[0ptimist]

Thanks Zim, thanks DeviousTrap

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: 0ptimist
Thanks Zim, thanks DeviousTrap

Glad I could help 0ptimist

 

[0ptimist]

The search on bhphoto is useless... where to find cheap screen protectors for camera, PDA etc? On ebay they can cost $8+ with shipping.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: 0ptimist
The search on bhphoto is useless... where to find cheap screen protectors for camera, PDA etc? On ebay they can cost $8+ with shipping.

Give 'em a call, B&H is a great retailer to deal w/ IMO

 

[iamtrout]

A lot of photographers swear by Eclipse. Don't get the cheap cleaners, because they will leave a residue on the lens after they dry. What I do is get a microfibre cloth, one of those nifty ones that also doubles as a gray card, and breathe on the lens and wipe it. Gets it crystal clear every single time. And don't worry too much about putting a little force into your wipes; a lot of people have this idea that lens coatings are *so* fragile but they're really quite robust, and are baked onto the glass during production. Just make sure when you wipe that the cloth doesn't have any grit on it.

 

[0ptimist]

Thanks iamtrout, I ordered the Microfiber cloth recommended by DeviousTrap already.

As for bhphoto, I know they're a good store (I remember the early days when I didn't know about resellerratings.com), but it's just that their online search isn't any good for terms like "screen protector" or "lens cleaning".

Any ideas about where to get cheap screen protectors, cheaper than ebay's $7 shipped?