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Nikon Lens Pen Pro Kit |
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| Not recommended |
The conventional wisdom is that nothing but a disposable cleaning tissue, a light brush, and air should ever touch your lens. I bought this kit thinking that the march of technological progress had presented an alternative... but no. Not as far as I can tell.
The kit is nicely packaged, of high quality, and an apparent fair value for what you get. The anti-fog wipe could be handy if you use them (I don't), and every photographer needs a microfiber cleaning cloth - although Nikon itself states that the cloth is not for cleaning the lens glass itself: it should be used only on non-optical camera and lens surfaces.
My complaint is with the lens pen system of cleaning itself. I tried both pens, using them on a couple of different lenses, front and rear; my camera's viewfinder glass; and the display. They appeared to work well, cleaning most of the remaining dust off (always use a brush and air first) and a couple of smudges. If I'd stopped there I might have concluded that they had served their purpose well. My next step, though, was one that every photographer should take from time to time. I opened the lenses' aperture diaphragms and shined a bright flashlight through the lenses in both directions, observing from the opposite end. This will reveal every speck of dust, and every flaw, in and on your lenses. I was quite shocked to find that the cleaning pens had left a trail of visible residue all over both surfaces of each lens. I could see what looked like extremely fine particulate remains - micro-dust? - spread over the lens surfaces in the pattern in which I'd cleaned them.
Nikon's instructions say that when you replace the cap on the pen you should twist it 180-degrees to replenish the cleaning tip of the pen. Thinking I'd mis-used the pens, I cleaned my lenses conventionally, then repeated my use of the lens pens - on my cheapest lens - making attempts between uses to "replenish" the cleaning tip as instructed. The results were the same each time. (The conventional cleanings in between had the expected fine results.)
For this reason I would caution anybody against using this system on any lens they intend to keep indefinitely. I don't doubt that the pen will work satisfactorily to keep the lens "functionally" clean, but there are better ways and I am concerned that the pens could cause damage over time.
In addition to the residue I noticed, the pressure required is sure to rub at least some hard dust particles against the lens each time the pen is used - and it seems possible that these dust particles could build up on the lens pens' cleaning surfaces after multiple uses. An expensive lens over its lifetime could easily go through hundreds of cleanings. Anything that applies pressure to the lens in order to clean it is capable of doing some damage even if done properly, and improper cleaning is actually the single primary cause of damage to lenses.
If you have cheap lenses that you expect to keep for a few years, the pens will probably do the job satisfactorily. If you are a working professional and value a quick, time-saving method of cleaning - and upgrade your equipment from time to time anyway - perhaps the pens are suitable for you. If you're a dedicated hobbyist, value your equipment, and plan to keep it a long time, then I would recommend you do what I do: use nothing on your lenses but disposable lens paper, and then only as frequently as necessary. |
| Jan 04, 2009 |
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| pretty neat |
| i like this since it has it's own little home. The pens are great! I have used them the most, and they helped me clean the camera mirrors, which saved my vacation pictures! |
| Dec 31, 2008 |
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| Almost complete cleaning kit |
| I got this kit since it was cheaper than buying the lens pens separately and the microfiber cloth. The pens are fine but the cloth isn't protected in the pouch well and will get dirty faster, you'll have to put it in one of those small plastic seal bags then inside to keep it clean. Now for those anti fog cloth/wipe things, I really think they should just be thrown out right away as they leave a film of something over your lens if you use it, and it will stay on the cloth and lens pens contaminating them if you use them to clean it off. I won't dare use those anti fog things on my Pentax lenses. That and this kit is really missing a blower, I think they should have ditched the anti fog things for another micro fiber cloth ( in a plastic something to keep it clean ) and stuck a small blower in the case. So I threw out the anti fog thing ( after I used the nikon cloth to clean up my test subjects glasses from that anti fog stuff ) and had to throw out the nikon cloth to as it is contaminated and stuck a Pentax cloth and small blower in the case with the pens, now it's all good. |
| Dec 30, 2008 |
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| Nikon Optics Pens Cleaning Pro Kit with case |
The micro-fiber cloth and the carry case are, to me; worth the $20+. In addition you get two different size pens (do not care for the anti-fog stuff and have not used it).
I paid almost as much for this kit as I have paid for one micro-fiber cloth and one pen, so the rest is a BONUS!
S/H was minimal a big PLUS!
If you are new to photography, there is ONE MISSING component here...a blower bulb!
Make sure to purchase one and use it BEFORE you use the brush on this pen, then use the wet side of the pen for cleaning!!
I use the LITTLE pen for the times I need to clean the "backside" of the lens and the bigger pen for the front LENS FILTER and/or element (DO NOT FORGET TO PUT AT LEAST A UV FILTER ON YOUR LENS!)Much cheaper to replace a filter than a LENS!
A good product for a good price...and you get some "branding" as well, if you like that sort of thing. |
| Nov 21, 2008 |
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| Great gift item |
| I have these for myself and my wife and found that they are great gifts for other camera owners |
| Oct 12, 2008 |
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