Lens Cleaning?

[ivseenbetter]

My projector has a manual adjustment for the lens...plus it is ceiling mounted so I don't put the cap back on after I use it. Do you guys dust your lense every once in awhile? I was considering it, but I am afraid the duster my scratch the glass (I don't know how sensitive these things are). What is the norm on this?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[lsiberian]

My projector has a manual adjustment for the lens...plus it is ceiling mounted so I don't put the cap back on after I use it. Do you guys dust your lense every once in awhile? I was considering it, but I am afraid the duster my scratch the glass (I don't know how sensitive these things are). What is the norm on this?

Thanks,

Chris

I don't suggest doing anything to the light line unless you have some type of dust on the picture. You could do more harm than good.

It's even possible to create an issue trying to clean it.

If you do want to clean it. I suggest using a camera lens cleaner brush. Don't use any type of solvent except alcohol unless needed. A good way to do it is using walmart lens cloths. But don't go crazy. Don't use compressed gas on the exterior because this can cause dust to fly up into the light line. Requiring you to take it apart and clean it.

 

[jostenmeat]

Thanks for the thread, Chris. I'm curious myself. Your thread is jogging my memory in that I want to get a new feather duster to use on my screen. I heard someone swear by it for use on the one I have, dalite HP.

 

[CraigV]

I would treat it like a camera lens. Get a blower bulb (steer clear of the canned air) and use it to blow off the dust. If the lens becomes very dirty, blow off the dust, and use a Zeiss lens cleaner. You can pick up a box of 50 from Wal-Mart for around $3.50. They’re safe on all lenses.

 

[ivseenbetter]

I appreciate the responses...and please accept my typed thanks since I can't get the "thanks" function to function from my work computer.

So, for the most part everybody just leaves their projector lens oncovered. And I don't really think I have a current dust issue but I was concerned that maybe I would in the future. Anyway, I guess I will leave well enough alone for now.

Thanks.

 

[lsiberian]

I would treat it like a camera lens. Get a blower bulb (steer clear of the canned air) and use it to blow off the dust. If the lens becomes very dirty, blow off the dust, and use a Zeiss lens cleaner. You can pick up a box of 50 from Wal-Mart for around $3.50. They’re safe on all lenses.

Canned air is your best weapon on the inside of the light line though. It can be the only safe way to get dust of the mirrors in some cases(was the last time I worked on my light line). I don't suggest it for the lenses though. I also don't suggest a camera brush. They aren't always trustworthy. I had issues using one on my lenses.

I suggest just using the lens cloths from walmart. They are safe and very effective.

 

[jostenmeat]

Craig/Isiberian, you mean something like this? (very brief search at Walmart is not showing what I want yet . . .)

 

[CraigV]

I would avoid a lens brush. Any contaminant on the bristles will end up on the lens, causing smearing & other problems. My 10+ years working in retail camera stores, plus teaching a class in basic photo & doing weddings on the side have taught me that.

As far as canned air, the risk is the propellant. Shaking or tilting the can will cause the propellant to some out, and really make a mess of things. As lsiberan suggested, use the canned air on the internal parts that are NOT in the light path. I’m not familiar with projectors, but if there are mirrors, CCD’s, prisms…anything the light passes through, you’re better off using the blower bulb. You’re just blowing air on the components to get the dust off.

If it’s not too big a hassle, can you take the projector off its mount? This will give you much easier access to the internal parts (if they are in need of dusting). I find the combination of canned air and a vacuum hose most effective. Give a blast of the canned air, and see where the dust comes out. Position the end of the vacuum hose there, and suck up the dust as it comes out, rather than letting it settle somewhere else inside.

The cloths you show are good, but you should also order/buy some dry lens cloths. The pre-moistened cloths will leave a little residue, which can be removed with dry lens tissue. AVOID fabric lens cloths. They easily become contaminated by the oils on your fingers, which then smear onto the lens. And yes, it’s best to keep a cap on the lens when not in use.

 

[lsiberian]

Craig/Isiberian, you mean something like this? (very brief search at Walmart is not showing what I want yet . . .)

Bingo That's what I suggest using for all cleaning of optics. In most cases. Use em for your glasses too.

 

[lsiberian]

I would avoid a lens brush. Any contaminant on the bristles will end up on the lens, causing smearing & other problems. My 10+ years working in retail camera stores, plus teaching a class in basic photo & doing weddings on the side have taught me that.

As far as canned air, the risk is the propellant. Shaking or tilting the can will cause the propellant to some out, and really make a mess of things. As lsiberan suggested, use the canned air on the internal parts that are NOT in the light path. I’m not familiar with projectors, but if there are mirrors, CCD’s, prisms…anything the light passes through, you’re better off using the blower bulb. You’re just blowing air on the components to get the dust off.

If it’s not too big a hassle, can you take the projector off its mount? This will give you much easier access to the internal parts (if they are in need of dusting). I find the combination of canned air and a vacuum hose most effective. Give a blast of the canned air, and see where the dust comes out. Position the end of the vacuum hose there, and suck up the dust as it comes out, rather than letting it settle somewhere else inside.

The cloths you show are good, but you should also order/buy some dry lens cloths. The pre-moistened cloths will leave a little residue, which can be removed with dry lens tissue. AVOID fabric lens cloths. They easily become contaminated by the oils on your fingers, which then smear onto the lens. And yes, it’s best to keep a cap on the lens when not in use.

Actually in the light line canned gas works very well for the mirrors which is where most dust blots come from. The problem with the bulbs is that they don't always have enough air pressure to move the dust off the mirrors. It also is good for the color wheel. But cleaning that is usually unnecessary. If you have a dust blob it's usually on a mirror.

I don't suggest dry lens tissues. In many cases. Most of them aren't very kind to PJ parts. The fabric ones are less likely to leave behind particles and or threads. Yes even the dry tissues can thread depending on the type.

A clean fabric one is just fine. You oils aren't a problem unless you touch something, and even then it usually isn't an issue.

I've been inside my PJ before I've had it in many pieces cleaning and getting dust out of the light line. It's not hard to do. You just have to be smart about it and use common sense.

So I speak most of this from that experience. Make sure you don't wipe the grease off on the internal lenses though. Will make focusing more difficult.

 

[alan monro]

Isiberian , Gday . I am bitterly disappointed . after reading all this stuff about cleaning lenses , I thought I haven't ever cleaned the dam thing since i have had it 2 years , so, I had better clean the bugger .
Went to all the trouble to clean it , and you know what ???? couldn't notice any bloody difference . Alan.