That old lens cleaning trick cost me a mint

Used to clean lenses with just a microfiber cloth and some breath fog. Did that for like 6 years. Last month a client brought in a Leica with haze on the rear element, and my usual method just smeared it worse. Switched to using proper lens cleaning fluid and pec pads after that, and I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner. Anyone else have a 'that's how I've always done it' habit that backfired on a repair?

2 comments

2 Comments

blake_cooper17h ago

Could touch damage the coating over time?

diana15515h ago

Is that something you've actually seen happen @blake_cooper, or more of a worry? I had a friend who used to clean his TV screen with Windex and a paper towel, and after a year you could see these little swirl marks in the coating... It wasn't ruined but it definitely got duller in those spots. I've just always used a dry microfiber cloth ever since that story.