Don’t Breathe
I would normally say don’t always believe what you read on the internet. However, in this case it’s all about what was added to the article that made it suspicious to me. Several different blogs and news articles have picked up the same story, and I don’t know if they are just copying the same source. If they checked with the Nikon site they might come across a slightly different shade of gray.
Anyone that has ever owned anything with highly polished glass surface, knows you should clean your lens with a soft lint free cloth with lens cleaner to properly remove any type of oil, dust, dirt or grim on the glass or in this case lens.
What I didn’t know was you shouldn’t fog your lens or glass with your breath, because the acid in your breath would ruin the coating on the lens. This got me thinking. I have never heard of this before. So, I went to the Nikon went to the Ask Nikon page and asked them the same question posted in the article “How do I clean the camera lens?”. When the query came back, I was amazed at the result.
How do I clean the camera lens?
| Published 12/31/2002 05:08 PM | Updated 12/10/2012 08:55 AM
How do I clean the camera lens?
The best way to clean a lens is to use a piece of lint free lens cleaning tissue and a small amount of Lens Cleaning solution. Do not use anything containing abrasives or solvents, only use Lens Cleaning Solution.
First we recommend taking a small blower brush to blow off or brush away loose dust or debris.
Next, place a drop or two of cleaner on the tissue (never directly onto the lens) and then wipe the lens in a circular motion, beginning in the center and working your way outward, removing any marks or smear.
If the above supplies are not available a clean, dry, soft, lint free cloth can be used to clean the lens. Just use the blower bulb, then brush, and wipe the lens in a circular spiral from the center outward.
The same method can be used to clean the viewfinder eyepiece of Nikon cameras.
The page had been updated today 12/10/12 @ 8:55 AM. and nowhere could I find this:
If the above supplies are not available a clean, dry, soft, lint free cloth can be used to clean the lens. Do not breathe on the lens to fog it for cleaning. There are harmful acids in breath that can damage lens coatings. Just use the blower bulb, then brush, and wipe the lens in a circular spiral from the center outward.
I will say this that I am religious about cleaning my lenses and my gear. As a former mechanic where tools are your life. you tools should always be clean and ready for work. I am sure that breathing on your highly polished lens is not the best for it, but if I am ever in a pinch, I have been known to steam up my glass to help remove unwanted smudges.
Here is the article I read online.
An interesting advice from Nikon support – do not breathe on your lens to clean it because you could damage the lens coating:
How do I clean the camera lens?
The best way to clean a lens is to use a piece of lint free lens cleaning tissue and a small amount of Lens Cleaning solution. Do not use anything containing abrasives or solvents, only use Lens Cleaning Solution.
First we recommend taking a small blower brush to blow off or brush away loose dust or debris.
Next, place a drop or two of cleaner on the tissue (never directly onto the lens) and then wipe the lens in a circular motion, beginning in the center and working your way outward, removing any marks or smear.
If the above supplies are not available a clean, dry, soft, lint free cloth can be used to clean the lens. Do not breathe on the lens to fog it for cleaning. There are harmful acids in breath that can damage lens coatings. Just use the blower bulb, then brush, and wipe the lens in a circular spiral from the center outward.
The same method can be used to clean the viewfinder eyepiece of Nikon cameras.
The Pixel Hoarder 