What's the best way to clean a camera lens that is recessed into the camera's casing?

September 25, 2006 11:09 AM

What's the best way to clean a camera lens that is recessed into the camera's casing?

I have a Canon Powershot SD400, and the lens is always getting dirty. I know how to clean a camera lens, but the problem I have with this camera is that the lens is recessed inside the casing that pops out of the camera when in use, making it extremely difficult to clean around the edges of the lens where it meets the casing. (see photo here). Over the years gunk has built up in the corners and I'd like to get it out of there. Cleaning the center of the lens is no problem. However, I've tried numerous methods for cleaning in the corners and nothing seems to work. Any ideas?

posted by afx114 to technology (6 answers total)

What are your numerous methods? Is compressed air one of them?
posted by bonaldi at 11:21 AM on September 25, 2006

I have one of these. I use a lens brush to brush the crud from out of the corners of the recessed area. For the corners of the lens I roll a microfiber lens cleaning cloth into a cylinder and use the edge on the corners of the lens.
posted by caddis at 11:32 AM on September 25, 2006

Qtips should do the trick. I always use those to clean my viewfinder. Make sure you use camera lens cleaning fluid and then remove excess fluid by using a dry Qtip and breathing on the lens to moisten it first.
posted by JJ86 at 11:32 AM on September 25, 2006

No, compressed air will not work, because it's gunk (probably finger grease from over the years) that is stuck to the edges. I've tried the rolled lens cleaning cloth thing too, but it's too weak to really get in there and dig out the crud. As for qtips, cant those scratch the lens?
posted by afx114 at 1:02 PM on September 25, 2006

Cover the Q-tip with the microfiber cleaning cloth.
posted by caddis at 1:08 PM on September 25, 2006

afx114 asked: As for qtips, cant those scratch the lens?

No, unless some of the gunk is severely abrasive. But that will be same regardless of what you use. Use compressed air as a first step, a Qtip with fluid as step #2, and then another clean Qtip with a slight lens misting as step #3. Never really press down with lots of force, use light circular motions and add another drop of fluid to get at gunk which is sticky. Use the Johnsons&Johnson's brand Q-tip, don't trust the cheaper ones and always use clean ones.
posted by JJ86 at 1:09 PM on September 25, 2006