Can you clean EPs with this...?

[emadmoussa]

Doesn't matter how tightly closed and well looked after your gear is, sometimes you end up with some dust on the optics. I have a specialized PC/phone screen spray cleaner with soft cleaning cloth. Can you use this to clean the filters and EPs?

I use this one:

http://www.amazon.co...im_sbs_office_1

[John]

I'd not risk it - for the sake of a few quid more the Baader Woder Fluid & Micro Fibre Cloth will give you the assurance that the job will be done really well and entirely safely

If you mess up the coatings the eyepiece will still work after a fashion but will have lost any value it had. It's not worth the risk in my view.

[E621Keith]

I agree with John. It's designed for LCD screen rather than glass, so it will be formulated differently. IPA used for lens can attack LCD, so they need a less aggressive cleaner. Many LCD cleaners are water based rather than alcohol based, so they takes a long time to evaporate.

I don't think LCD cleaner will damage your eyepiece, but you need to be aware a small amount of residue have no effect on LCD screen but will degrade an eyepiece's performance. Furthermore many LCD cleaners have additive to slow the dust build up and coat the LCD in a 'protective' layer, something you definitely don't want on optical surface.

[emadmoussa]

Will that apply to the camera chip as well?

[emadmoussa]

How about this? http://www.scopesnsk...aintenance.html

Not a fan of Scopes 'n' skies really...but the cheapest kit there is.

[E621Keith]

Will that apply to the camera chip as well?

Because camera chip lies at the focal plane, any impurities and residue will show up in the final image. As such, chip cleaner is even more specialised than optical glass cleaner. If you want to CCD, you need to consider specialist cleaner from Photographic Solutions or Visible dust rather than Baader Fluid. Don't even think about contact cleaning the sensor unless you absolutely have to. Modern DSLR has anti dust systems, which are quite good. Even older DSLR without anti dust systems don't need cleaning often.

http://www.photosol.com/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=2

http://www.visibledust.com/products.php

How about this? http://www.scopesnsk...aintenance.html

Not a fan of Scopes 'n' skies really...but the cheapest kit there is.

IMHO, if you want to clean lenses (NOT mirrors), buy a bottle of Baader fluid. It comes in relatively large 100ml bottle so it'd last much longer than the Scope and Skies' unknown IPA.

[JamesM]

You can't beat Baader's 'Optical Wonder' fluid - it simply dose what it says on the tin. I bought my 100ml bottle years ago and there is still plenty left and so is great value for money when you include the quality the cloth too. Does anybody know if it's a good idea to clean the blue cloth and if so what do you use?

James

[E621Keith]

You can't beat Baader's 'Optical Wonder' fluid - it simply dose what it says on the tin. I bought my 100ml bottle years ago and there is still plenty left and so is great value for money when you include the quality the cloth too. Does anybody know if it's a good idea to clean the blue cloth and if so what do you use?

James

How do you clean a microfibre cloth?

It's a good question. It's one I want to know as well.

I guess to avoid water hardness forming limescale on your cloth, which can scratch the lens later. You would need to wash it with distilled water.

The next question is what soap/detergent to use and what you can do to ensure all the grit is removed from the cloth.

After thinking about these problem, I came to the conclusion the Baader cloth is an one use disposable item. I stop using mine for eyepieces and telescope optics long ago and now only use it for cleaning my camera lenses' protective filters. I went back to using disposable lens tissue for everything else.

[Pig]

I use this :- its gets all the dust out

http://www.amazon.co...ywords=jet wash

[E621Keith]

I use this :- its gets all the dust out

http://www.amazon.co...ywords=jet wash

I didn't realised you just replace all your eyepiece with Pentax and ES. Congratulation

[Astro_Baby]

Not a fan of Scopes 'n' skies really...but the cheapest kit there is.

Reasons I dont buy secondhand kit......number 423.

Ahh if its cheap you want just use some bleach or fairy liquid, cow urine is good I gather as well and it doesnt come cheaper than that. Personally I dont like the idea of 'cheap' when I am cleaning glass that cost a few hundred quid. I would see it the same with cheaper glass.

Its not worth saving a fiver and wrecking an EP that almost certainly cost at least £30.

[ronin]

Living in the East means mainly arable, not a cow in sight. :sad:

Never going to save any money with this hobby am I ? :rolleyes:

Should I ask how you found out? :eek: