How should I clean my DSLR?s lens?

These might be some old tips, Still thought i would share with you guys.

Use a UV or Skylight filter

Before I get into cleaning techniques let me share a tip that all DSLR users

should consider. For each lens you own you should consider purchasing a UV or

skylight filter. Keep it attached to your lens at all times. In addition to it

cutting out UV light they will protect your lens from scratches or even

breakage. It also means that when you do your cleaning you?ll just be cleaning

the filter instead of the actual lens (unless dust gets right in). Keep in mind

that filters come in different levels of quality - if you have a high end lens

consider investing in a higher end filter.

Lens hoods can also help protect the end of your lens as do the lens caps for

both the front and back end of your lens that come with it - always use them!

Lens Cleaning Fluid

In most camera stores you?ll find an alcohol based lens cleaning fluid that is

well worth having. It will help you to lift off fingerprints and other smudges

without leaving streaks on your lens or filter. Keep in mind that you don?t need

too much of this fluid at a time - usually just a drop or two wiped in a gentle

circular motion with a cleaning tissue will remove most marks on a lens or

filter. Always apply the fluid to a cloth or tissue rather than the lens itself.

Alternatively - many photographers believe that simply breathing on your lens

and then wiping with a cloth is a safer method for cleaning it - rather than

introducing harsh fluids. My own approach is to start with breath and then use

the fluids for difficult marks to remove.

Cleaning Tissues

To apply the cleaning fluid grab yourself some lens tissues. They are a very

thin paper that will let you wipe your lenses without scratching them. These

tissues are one use tissues and should be thrown away after using. Don?t use

normal facial tissues - these are too rough and will scratch your lens.

Cleaning Cloth

An alternative to cleaning tissues is the more modern microfiber cleaning cloth.

These washable cloths grab a hold of dust and oils on your lens. The main thing

to be aware of with them is to keep them clean themselves with a regular wash -

alternatively just buy yourself a new one as they are very cheap to buy and

that?ll negate the risk of wiping something from your wash into your lens.

Before using a cloth always check the lens to make sure you don?t have any

larger pieces of grit on it. The last thing you want to do is wipe it into your

lens causing a scratch. Remove any larger gritty dust using a blower or brush

before wiping.

Blowers

Most camera stores sell blowers of different varieties. While I?d personally

advise being very careful with them on the inside of your camera (you could

actually end up blowing dust into it) they can be great for cleaning the outside

of your camera - including the lens. Before you use a blower make sure you

squeeze if a few times first to get any dust that might be inside it out.

Brushes

If you have a lot of dust on your camera one good tool to get the big stuff off

is a brush. Get one with fine and soft hair (camel hair) to avoid scratching

your lens. Similarly you might like to invest in a lens cleaning pen which has a

retractable brush on one end an a cleaning pad on the other.

Silica Gel

One lost preventative measure before we end. Grab some silica gel sachets to

throw into the bottom of your camera bag. The little sachets will draw any

moisture in your bag to them to save your lenses and DSLR from being impacted by it.

Much of the above cleaning gear is pretty low cost and will be available from a

good camera store (often as a full kit). Don?t go for the very cheapest gear

though - when you?re looking after gear that you?ve paid big dollars for it can

be worth paying a little extra to ensure quality. Here are some of what Amazon

offers:

* Adorama Professional Lens Cleaning Kit

* Adorama Mini Lenspen - Lens cleaning tool

* Quantaray - Lens Cleaning Set

* Adorama Lens Cleaning Tissue, Three Packages.

* Nikon Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloth

* Giottos Rocket Air Blaster, Manual Air Blower with Extra-Large Rubber Bulb

- 7.5″ Long

* Olympus SILICA-5 - Silica gel (pack of 5 )

* Eforcity Camera Cleaning Blower Brush Featuring Detachable Brush Head and

Soft Bristles

* HOYA 77UV/HQ 77MM Non-Coated UV-G Series UV Filter

Update - Lastly - take a lot of care when changing lenses. Cleaning the outside

elements of your camera and lens is a lot easier than cleaning the inside where

things are much more delicate. When changing lenses turn off your camera first,

always point your camera and lens to the ground and attempt to do it inside or

out of the wind. Learn to do these things quickly and you?ll have less dust and

grime to clean off your camera and lenses.

You'll get endless debate on you recommendation to use a UV or skylight filter on all your lenses. I personally never use 'em, others do. I might add that the use of filters for protection goes back to the time when the glass used in lens construction was considerably softer than that used today, and more easily scratched.

In my early film days I used UV filters on all my lenses, lens hoods were rarely seen. The glass in use today is much harder and unlikely to be scratched in normal use. IMO it's not worth the potential image degradation and flare problems presented by constant filter use unless adverse conditions warrant it.

I've always avoided paper tissues, paper is made from wood, prefering a soft, washable lens cloth instead.

I might also add to your list, don't clean it if it ain't dirty. Good luck.