p.2 #1 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
Long delayed response, but thanks for all the info--it was my intuition.
WRT to why? I think the person who talked about the centrifuge got it correct. I work in an electronics cleanroom, and well, waiting 30 minutes for a sputter run to finish leaves you with... 30 minutes of the need to keep yourself occupied.
Cheers all--the method I proposed works well provided you wipe and blow tangentially across the lenses.
p.2 #3 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
Both pure isopropyl alcohol & acetone are safe on MC glasses (acetone is less likely to leave smear behind) and I have been using them for years (even the most difficult to clean HOYA HMC filters will be like new in no time). I found out acetone was safe to use on MC as a popular UK product Opti-Clean also contains acetone.
p.2 #4 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
I read about a method in the recent popular science about the use of ultra pure liquid carbon dioxide as the way they clean mirrors on LARGE optical telescopes. The carbon dioxide evaporates taking dust particles with it.
Acetone is a solvent which I'm sure will have (short term/long term) impact on coatings as it's used for nail polish removal and the dissolving of plastics. Check out the headings for "Cleaning fluid" and "Solvent" in the Wiki link above.
Not trying to kick over an online squabble as one needs to question these sorts of recommendations and upon further investigation, Acetone doesn't seem like such a good product to be putting on multi-coated filters. Myself? I'll stick with the likes of a rocket blower, lipstick brush, lense cleaning fluid and lense cleaning paper. I don't like micro clothes. They retain both grit and grim as opposed to disposable lense tissues. I'm even sensitive to the use of lense tissue because of their initially stiff nature.
p.2 #7 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
Acetone!!!!? Arrrrghhhhh..... That stuff is foul, and it's a solvent for many plastics, rubbers, and adhesives. I don't know about the actual lens coatings, but I'm not letting acetone work it's way into cracks and nooks and crannies in my gear.
Three steps for me: blower, brush, then breath-fog and microfiber cloth. (By the way, re: Beeman's concern about the cloth holding debris, I found a cheap source on e-bay of $7 or so for a dozen 16 x 16 squares, each of which I cut into 8 x 8, or even 4 x 4, so I just use 'em a few time and toss 'em )
p.2 #8 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
That's the problem. Many people are against something based on personal belief which is unfound. Do some thorough research and you will find that acetone is safe on multicoating and actually recommended by some manufacturers. Some clever people mixed a few thought to be dangerous fluids and sold them insanely expensive with fancy labels then suddenly everyone is buying them with leap of faith. How ironic.
p.2 #11 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
wlachan wrote:
That's the problem. Many people are against something based on personal belief which is unfound. Do some thorough research and you will find that acetone is safe on multicoating and actually recommended by some manufacturers. Some clever people mixed a few thought to be dangerous fluids and sold them insanely expensive with fancy labels then suddenly everyone is buying them with leap of faith. How ironic.
Like I said, I don't know about the multicoatings, and I believe you when you say it's safe for them. But as I also said, I know that acetone does effect some plastics and adhesives, and there are plenty of different materials including a variety of plastics and adhesives in modern cameras. Are you saying that you have confirmed that acetone won't effect anything Canon uses to build cameras? (That would be some amazing research to substantiate such a claim ;-)
If I were to stipulate that acetone won't hurt a camera, and that I won't accidentally spill it on my rug or that it wouldn't hurt that either, nor mar the finish on my coffee table, nor give me a headache,... stipulating all of that for the moment, let me just ask, since I have had 100% perfect, reliable, and safe results using breath-fog, please explain to me why I should switch to stinky stuff?
p.2 #12 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
Shheeesh, wlachan, I just read the info in YOUR link! Did you read it? It says start with the most benign solvent, like Windex, then if necessary work your way up to alcohol, then trichloroethylene, and then "..., if all else fails, acetone. Make sure that acetone is only used a a last resort because it can remove black paint."
Careful what you post dude, because some people may just take your advice!
p.2 #13 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
I don't know what is the problem. That article did indeed suggest acetone is safe for MC glass cleaning. The only concern being raised is that it might dissolve the black paint. But these are 2 different issues. The OP asked for glass cleaning, and I proved acetone is safe is use. As with any craft, just because some people have trouble with their fingers, doesn't mean the rest of the population should not try.
p.2 #14 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
Ya beat me to it Roy.
"..but I will provide you the one that should silent most doubt."
How thoughtful. Your above comment comes across as arrogant as opposed to just trying to be helpful.
As to the link and Google search comment, it ain't hard to post substantiating links if you're so all fired sure of yourself as it's considered a polite courtesy to do so as a substantiation to pronouncements made.
As to the link, in honesty, it didn't sound encouraging as in it's saying, use Acetone at your own risk.
"It is always best to start with the most benign cleaning fluid and progress to stronger solvents if necessary. Glass cleaner, such as Windex or Kodak lens fluid, is a good starting point. If it is ineffective, try denatured alcohol. For tougher jobs move on to Trek III (trichloroethylene) or, if all else fails, acetone. Make sure that acetone is only used as a last resort because it can remove black paint. Depending on what part of the lens is being cleaned, there may be some black paint used. Paint is often used over the black anodize to produce a flat black matte finish."
I'll pass on the Acetone recommendation, thank-you.
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"...and I proved acetone is safe is use."
Now you've gone over the edge. Why? "Safe" indicates "no" hazards. You're pushing the point, to make your point. Even your substantiating link provides a couple of warnings in regard to the use of Acetone, so it's not safe for use as extreme care must be taken when using it or damage can occur.
Let's see what the MSDS sheet has to say in regard to safe.
p.2 #15 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
Roy Pertchik wrote:
Like I said, I don't know about the multicoatings, and I believe you when you say it's safe for them. But as I also said, I know that acetone does effect some plastics and adhesives, and there are plenty of different materials including a variety of plastics and adhesives in modern cameras. Are you saying that you have confirmed that acetone won't effect anything Canon uses to build cameras? (That would be some amazing research to substantiate such a claim ;-)
If I were to stipulate that acetone won't hurt a camera, and that I won't accidentally spill it on my rug or that it wouldn't hurt that either, nor mar the finish on my coffee table, nor give me a headache,... stipulating all of that for the moment, let me just ask, since I have had 100% perfect, reliable, and safe results using breath-fog, please explain to me why I should switch to stinky stuff?...Show more →
I don't even know where you got this idea. All along I was talking about MC glass cleaning and nothing else. If the person was unable to keep thing where it should be (let the acetone to contact the plastic or adhesive in this case), that is their problem, not mine. Like any tool, it is only as good as the person who uses it. How well they will be able to use it is totally beyond my control. Besides, I am not suggesting anyone must use it. OP asked for opinions and I offered mine. It is up to you what to do. However, saying acetone will harm MC is false and that is what I am trying to defend. Acetone will harm some plastic and adhesive, yes, but not MC.
p.2 #16 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
"If the person was unable to keep thing where it should be (let the acetone to contact the plastic or adhesive in this case), that is their problem, not mine."
Sorry, it is the responsibility of the person making the recommendation or maybe they shouldn't be making the recommendation cause the idea was poorly thought out.
So now, in your defense, you're making the recommendation but you're not responsible for any harm that might befall the individual who follows your adamantly defended suggestion? What happen to safe
As the recommendation is explored (analyzed), we find that even the manufacture recommends it be used as a product of last resort (not a first call), it's hazardous to health and can damage camera parts, including the fit/finish of the filter it's intended to clean.
Not a promising recommendation in my book.
Edited by BeeMan458 on Dec 11, 2007 at 12:45 PM GMT
p.2 #17 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
BeeMan458 wrote:
Ya beat me to it Roy.
"..but I will provide you the one that should silent most doubt."
How thoughtful. Your above comment comes across as arrogant as opposed to just trying to be helpful.
As to the link and Google search comment, it ain't hard to post substantiating links if you're so all fired sure of yourself as it's considered a polite courtesy to do so as a substantiation to pronouncements made.
As to the link, in honesty, it didn't sound encouraging as in it's saying, use Acetone at your own risk.
"It is always best to start with the most benign cleaning fluid and progress to stronger solvents if necessary. Glass cleaner, such as Windex or Kodak lens fluid, is a good starting point. If it is ineffective, try denatured alcohol. For tougher jobs move on to Trek III (trichloroethylene) or, if all else fails, acetone. Make sure that acetone is only used as a last resort because it can remove black paint. Depending on what part of the lens is being cleaned, there may be some black paint used. Paint is often used over the black anodize to produce a flat black matte finish."
I'll pass on the Acetone recommendation, thank-you.
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"...and I proved acetone is safe is use."
Now you've gone over the edge. Why? "Safe" indicates "no" hazards. You're pushing the point, make your point. Even your substantiating link provides a couple of warnings in regard to the use of Acetone, so it's not safe for use as extreme care must be taken when using it or damage can occur.
Let's see what the MSDS sheet has to say in regard to safe.
I was trying to be helpful but you drew the first blood and said what you didn't know. I provided a valid link then you turned to person attrack and health issue. All along the question was whether acetone was safe on MC, and the answer is yes as the link indicates. I am no more arrogant than you are since you must make it personal.
p.2 #19 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
BeeMan458 wrote:
Sorry, it is the responsibility of the person making the recommendation or maybe they shouldn't be making the recommendation cause the idea was poorly thought out.
So now, in your defense, you're making the recommendation but you're not responsible for any harm that might befall the individual who follows your adamantly defended suggestion? What happen to safe
If what you are saying was true, should any retailers be responsable if the buyer died because of the acetone he/she bought? Are people so naive these days they must blame everyone else for their own mistake and action? I know you don't like being wrong but please...
p.2 #20 · Lens Cleaning - Any chemists in the House?
"I was trying to be helpful but you drew the first blood and said what you didn't know."
What I wrote:
"With all due respect, I'm not so sure about the Acetone recommendation."
"Not trying to kick over an online squabble as one needs to question these sorts of recommendations and upon further investigation, Acetone doesn't seem like such a good product to be putting on multi-coated filters."
Not exactly the stuff a "Rambo" movie is made of.
And your link did make it a recommendation of last resort with caveats. Not exactly a glowing recommendation in anyone's book. Based upon your provided link, no one in their right mind could comfortably make the recommendation to use Acetone without providing the manufactures provided warnings. Knowing the risk using Acetone can have on paint and other plastic parts, it's an invalid recommendation, sans proper training and certification as not everybody is trained in these matters and most will take a recommendation at face value of being exactly as you suggested: safe, without ancillary concerns.
"I am no more arrogant than you are since you must make it personal."
Not personalizing it, which isn't being arrogant, just commenting how your comments come across. Don't change your style, I'm good.
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"If what you are saying was true, should any retailers be responsable if the buyer died because of the acetone he/she bought? Are people so naive these days they must blame everyone else for their own mistake and action? I know you don't like being wrong but please..."
This is rightfully covered under product liability law as it has nothing to do with being right as opposed to product liability and safe.
"Are people so naive these days they must blame everyone else for their own mistake and action?"
You're recommending a volatile toxic that has many inherent defects to the recommendation, as has been pointed out. Not everybody is familiar with Acetone. These are valid concerns which rightfully should be publicly explored. Life, because of experience, doesn't need to be a crap shoot and responsible people freely acknowledge/disclose as fully as reasonably possible, warnings or at the very least, the inappropriateness of a recommendation.
Acetone, isn't a good recommendation, as you pointed out, for the naive, inexperienced or klutzy and can have far reaching damages as to environmental issues but you're welcome to use it on "your" filters.
After forty years, I'll stick to blower, brush, lense cleaning solution and lense cleaning paper.
Edited by BeeMan458 on Dec 11, 2007 at 01:24 PM GMT
? Arrrrghhhhh..... That stuff is foul, and it's a solvent for many plastics, rubbers, and adhesives. I don't know about the actual lens coatings, but I'm not letting acetone work it's way into cracks and nooks and crannies in my gear.