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Cleaning Zeiss Lenses

G

Guest

I'm very pleased with my results using the new Zeiss Lens Cleaning Set. The set is simple, consisting of a bottle of cleaning solution, a lens brush and two microfibre cloths. It differs from the Zeiss lens cleaning kit I've seen in the States, and I had to order mine from Germany (a quick and painless process, as it turned out).

Using the kit as directed leaves the lens surfaces spotless and, as far as I can tell, the T* coating in like-new condition. I've always been reluctant to use anything other than my condensed breath and Kodak lens tissue on my Zeiss glass but over time, more-stubborn resudue tends to collect. A little effort with the new kit last night made my 20-year-old 85/1.4's large front element sparkle. Now I'll be brave enough to use it on my Hasselblad lenses too.

The set is not expensive, and I recommend it highly.

Best regards,

--Rick
 
G

Guest

> I'm very pleased with my results using the new Zeiss Lens Cleaning > Set. The set is simple, consisting of a bottle of cleaning solution, a > lens brush and two microfibre cloths.

Thanks for the info. I use a product called "ClearSight":

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and I find it far better than ROR or any other cleaner I've used, though I have not tried the Zeiss cleaner, but have been told the active ingredient is alcohol. ClearSight also sells microfibre cloths (I believe they are $2 each), I don't recall if they sell brushes.

Regards,

Austin
 
G

Guest

> I agree this kit does make a difference. Being a trained chemist, I can tell the cleaning solution > is not alcool based. Smells more like a chlorinated organic solvant. Anyways, it proved very > efficent at removing greasy deposits. I was able to ressuscitate my ageing Softar II. Worked > wonders on my other lenses This kit however is rather hard to find in North America. One can > order it online from Foto-Huppert in Germany (
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), which I did. More > expansive than an ordinary lens cleaning kit, but worth the extra bucks (or Euros). And as a > plus, you have "Zeiss" printed on the microfiber clothes! :)
 
G

Guest

Guillaume wrote: "....is not alcool based. Smells more like a chlorinated organic solvant...."

Could it be 80% Petrolether and 20% 2-Propanol ?

Dieter
 
G

Guest

Does anyone know of a product I can use to remove light fungus from optics. I don't have any now but will be spending a couple of months in the tropics and would like to have a product with me just in case. I had an old article from Zeiss that mentioned a cleaner but it was not available in the US. Any suggestions? Thanks, Guy
 
G

Guest

> There is a product called Zeiss Lens Cleaner. It can be purchased at > Adorama, B&H or just about any photo supply retailer as well as eye glass > stores. It is manufactured for Carl Zeiss Optical by a company in > Cleveland Oh named nanoFILM LTD. It is ammonia-free and will clean all > multi-coated lenses.
 
G

Guest

> Does anyone know of a product I can use to remove light fungus from > optics.

Yes, it's called Hydrogen Peroxide, and is readily available at most any pharmacy. As far as my experience goes, it does a superb job of removing the fungus (though the fungus may have etched the glass, and there is not a thing you can do about that) and not harming anything.

Austin
 
G

Guest

Try this formular.
10% household hydrogen peroxide
40% household NH3 solution
50% 90% alcohol

Leo
 
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gjames52

Well-Known Member
The solution in the Zeiss cleaning kit available from Foto M Huppert is what Zeiss terms "L" solution. It is the same solution used during the manufacture of their lenses. It will not harm T* coatings, most important, I think.

I might add that dealing with Foto M Huppert is a pleasure.
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S

smartrav

Well-Known Member
> Does anyone have experience with the Zeiss lens cleaning kit? Is it worth buying? Where can I get it in the States?

Dave
 
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gjames52

Well-Known Member
Dave:

I have used the "L" solution kit and I would buy it again. It is more expensive than other Zeiss products (about $30.00 delivered).

However, I trust that it will not harm my lenses or T*coatings. It also worked well on my Zeiss binoculars.

I have not seen it advertised for sale anywhere in America.

I only know of M. Huppert as the supplier.

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Sincerely:

Gilbert
 
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wbesz

Well-Known Member
I bought a bottle of ZEISS lens cleaner fronm B&H for $6.50.

Not expensive, and works like magic!!
 
M

mikel

The $6.50 Zeiss cleaner available at B&H actually was formulated for their vision lenses. In other words - to clean your glasses, not your photographic lenses. It can be technically used to clean your photo lenses, but it doesn't evaporate as fast and it might leave some marks on the outer sides of the lens, where it's hard to wipe it off with cleaning cloth. As far as I know, any alcohol based solutions should never be used to clean lenses with multicoating.

The Zeiss cleaning kit is obviously best choice, but I don't know if it's available in US now. Alternative solution is to email Zeiss - they will tell you formula to mix your own cleaner in-house. I think it includes isopropanol and two or three more components.

Mike.
 
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wbesz

Well-Known Member
Hi Mike, thanks for your input (we can never be too careful with expensive lenses),
however, the $6.50 Zeiss lens cleaner appears to be made for camera lenses.

On the instruction label we have: (i quote portions)
"High-tech ammonia-free formula"
"especially those with Zeiss anti-reflective multi-layer coatings"
"Contains Isopropanol."

I notice it is made for Carl Zeiss Optical, Inc,
by nanoFILM LTD, Cleverland, Ohio.

Cheers, William
 
M

mikel

Yes, I know all this. I have this cleaner myself, to clean my Zeiss anti-reflective coating lenses in my glasses. I emailed Zeiss a long time ago about it and they told me that although it can be used to clean photographic lenses, it wasn't designed to do it.

Mike.
 
C

colin

Well-Known Member
Mike, I have always cleaned my Leitz and Zeiss multicoated lenses/filters over the past 45 years using Isopropyl alcohol with no negative effects whatsoever. (there are no cleaning marks or other indications that the lenses have been anything but clean).I did on one occasion(one only in 45 years!!) breakdown and buy Kodak Lens cleaner..guess what itis?
Just like gas line anti-freeze; just buy Methyl Hydrate and pocket the change!
Colin
 
P

pkipnis

Well-Known Member
> Good point. Also the cleaning liquid is only half the problem. The lens paper, how you wipe the glass, if you pre dust all are just as important as the cleaner. Pure Alcohol works great, just don't soak the glass! When I was in the biz, we would get customers who drowned their lenses to the point the dissolved some of the cement. Remember to add the solvent to the tissue or swab, not directly on the glass.
 
P

pecker

Member
I noticed a Zeiss lens cleaning kit at B&H Photo that sells for $19.50, perhaps it is the same as the European kit? I found by Googling "Zeiss Lens Cleaning Kit."

Doug
 
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wbesz

Well-Known Member
To someone who has the Zeiss (whole cleaning) kit,

what does the label say the cleaner contains??

William
 
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gjames52

Well-Known Member
William:

Zeiss Lens Cleaning Set

The bottle shows-Optical Cleaning Mixture L

Contains hydrocarbons

Several safety warning graphics and a statement that it can cause lung damage if swallowed.

The instruction booklet states that the solution is

hydrocarbon base

Regards:

Gilbert
 
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