Dirt on your DSLR lens is one of the main factors that reduces the image quality of your photos. Although some defects caused by small spots may be repairable in post processing, larger dirts most probably will probably make your photo useless. Even a tiny stain that you haven't noticed or ignored during the shoot out can ruin hours of hard work at the end of the day. The most important fact that you have to consider before cleaning your lens is to choose a proper method to make sure you don't scratch your lens surface.

Here we present 6 tips for you to effectively clean (and keep clean) your DSLR lens without giving any damage to it. Remember most of these methods presented here are also applicable to compact digicam and other kind of optical devices:

1 - Use a UV (Ultraviolet) Filter

This relatively cheap filter is a perfect protection for your valuable lens, both from dirt and other impacts. You will be cleaning the filter, thus minimizing the risk of scratching the actual lens surface. We recommend you to keep this filter attached all times, but remember to choose a high quality one otherwise it may degrade the quality of the output image. Since different lenses may have different filter diameters, you may have to purchase one for each of your lens.

2- Use lens hoods, and lens caps for both front and back end of your lens

The benefits are obvious, keep them attached all the time. Do not forget to keep the lens caps clean when they are not attached.

3- Don't let dust get in to your camera body

Dust inside your DSLR will attach to the back end element of your lens and also to the image sensor, double trouble. When you are changing lenses, try to find a place with minimum dust and wind, and aim your camera to the floor to minimize the chance of dust getting inside.

4- Use a Blower

Blowers can be used directly to the lens and also inside of your camera. This is a very secure way of cleaning your lens since there is no physical contact with the glass, but on the other hand not very effective as the others.

5- Get a Lens Cleaning Fluid

A small amount of alcohol based lens cleaning fluid makes it eaiser to wipe oil, fingerprints and contaminants off your lens. Lens cleaning fluids are applied to your lens by the help of a cleaning cloth or tissue, instead of directly pouring on the lens surface. Check the lens surface and cleaning clothes to make sure there is no big particles because these particles can stratch your lens easily while cleaning. An alternative to alcohol based cleaning fluids is to simply breathe on the glass then clean it with a cloth. If this doesn't get enough, you may choose to use the fluids.

6- Use a Lens Cleaning Pen

Lens Cleaning Pens are really useful tools with a cleaning pad on one side and a brush on the other. The retractable brush made of soft bristles is used to dust away the hard particles and contaminants. I would recommend you to buy a high quality one with very soft brush to avoid scratching the glass.

I would like to remind that the best protection solutions for your lens is the preventive methods: Stop contaminants before getting on your lens surface. Do not use the cleaning methods those requires physical contact until there is no other option left. And buy the highest quality tools which minimizes the risk of scratching your valuable lenses.

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