Today’s Post by Joe Farace
“A clean camera is a happy camera”—Joe Farace
Camera Care Week kicks off with a look at something that’s in all of my camera bags and backpacks…
I’ve been using LensPen products for a long time, for almost the entire twenty-five plus years they’ve been in production. Back when I was shooting with Nikon film cameras, And I really do keep one in each of my camera bags. I just put one in the compact Lowepro bag that’s holding my new (old) Contax 167MT film camera.
During all this time, LensPens have been helping me and other photographers keep their cameras, binoculars and lenses clean. Yes, LensPen is a sponsor of this and my photography how-to blog but I was using their products long before either of these websites was launched. They are a sponsor because I like, use and believe in their products.
Mary bought me the first one LensPen for my brand-new Nikon N90S 1in 1994! As digital imaging replaced film, LensPen introduced version specifically designed to clean LCD screens, compact camera lenses, viewfinders and filters. Since we car photographers exist in a world where we don’t let the weather or track conditions get in the way of making the best possible shot and many times these realities can enhance our images, having a LensPen handy is more than a good idea.
Which LensPen? Why not start with their DSLR-Pro Kit ($34.95) that includes everything digital and film shooters too need to keep their lenses, viewfinders and filters clean. Here’s what you’ll find in the kit:
- An original LensPen. I use one of these to remove grease and fingerprints from lenses on my DSLR, Micro Four-thirds cameras and film cameras too.
- The FilterKlear pen has a flat, round cleaning tip that’s designed to clean (surprise) lens filters. This is something I think is really important for film shooters, since based on my experience, they tend to use on-camera filters more than digital shooters.
- The MicroPro has a smaller cleaning tip that’s useful for cleaning eyepieces and tiny lenses like you find on smartphones.
- The kit also includes a handy microfiber carrying pouch which doubles as a cloth for other cleaning applications, such as wiping down a camera body
Both the Original LensPen and it’s various cousins clean your optical surfaces in two easy steps: You start by using the retractable natural brush to remove any loose dust that’s sitting on the glass. If any finger marks remain, you simply twist the cap off the other end and use the LenPen’s famous carbon-impregnated cleaning tip to clean the lens. The carbon compound that’s used is similar to one that’s found in printer’s ink.
The LensPen’s twist-action cap is important because it re-charges the carbon compound on the cleaning tip and it ensures that the cap won’t pop off in youe pocket or camera bag, like my lens caps and eye cups tend to do.
LensPen products are environmentally friendly and safe to use. There’s no expiration date and they perform well in arctic cold and desert heat.