A camera lens requires the utmost care. Lenses are very delicate and made from thin compilations of glass. Anything can cause them to shatter, or, at best, scratch. They are also remarkably expensive and cannot be replaced easily for this reason.
The best way to clean a lens is by using a specially made lens pen. These are economical and necessary accessories that will guarantee a scratch-proof cleaning experience. They will leave your glass lens untainted and renewable with minimal effort.Â
Lens pens are typically light in weight, small, and have a concave-shaped tip with which the lens is cleaned. This concave-shaped tip matches the curve of the lens and allows for a better cleaning experience. As camera lenses should not be cleaned with any old cloth or tissue, a specially designed product is required. For this purpose, a lens pen is an excellent way to go!
It is essential that your pen is of good quality or you risk damaging your lens. To help you in selecting the perfect lens pen, we have compiled a list of the best available!
1. Sunpak LensPen DSLR Pro Optical Cleaning Kit
This set of three lens pens is undeniably one of the best available. The Sunpak LensPen DSLR Pro Optical Cleaning Kit is safe to use on all lenses and will not scratch or damage the lens’ glass. These pens contain a unique carbon formula that is brilliant at absorbing and removing oily traces on the lens screen.
Also, these pens will never bleed this carbon because the formula is not in liquid form! Hence, there is no reason to worry about unwanted leaks or spills. The pen is designed in a way to prevent it from causing any damage to your lens or equipment.
The MicroPRO pen provides up to 500 cleanings per pen. It can be used for camera lenses as well as the viewfinder and other products, like sunglasses. The set includes three pens of different sizes. Each pen is suited to a different product that complements its size. Also, to sum it all up, this product comes with a complimentary microfiber cloth and pouch to store your pens!
2. LensPen NLP-1Â
The LensPen NLP-1 contains an active cleaning compound made of carbon. This formula is non-toxic. Also, it will not spill or cause damage to the lens.
The product has unique twist-cap technology, making it easy and convenient to use. Its brush is also effortless to use. Just swipe it across your lens and watch as it cleans the glass. No traces of dirt or grime will be left behind by this brilliant product!
This device is eight inches long and is easily portable. It weighs a mere 1.6 ounces, making it a lightweight addition to your camera bag, where it will easily fit in with all your other equipment. The concave shape allows you to clean out the whole lens without damaging any part of it!
3. LensPen MiniPro
This product’s dual-tip design is fantastic for many reasons! It has a brush side and a concave side. The brush side will clear out most traces of dirt. However, a more tedious design is needed to clean out other forms of dirt. Fingerprints, for example, are particularly tough to remove. The concave side does a great job of removing fingerprints and other tough stains.
The Lenspen Mini Pro II is more lightweight than most lens pens. This Mini Pro version of the traditional Lenspen weighs 0.32 ounces and is by far one of the most easily portable lens pens on the market. For travelers, it doesn’t get better than this!
4. Nikon Lens Pen (Budget Winner)
The Nikon Lens Pen has a traditional design, but what makes it unique is its excellent durability. This product does not damage easily and can be used hundreds of times.
The brush is very soft and will never leave marks on your lens. It has the ability to retract into the pen body. This way, the brush always remains clean. Fingerprints, dust, and larger dirt particles will quickly be wiped off by the Nikon Lens Pen.
Bottom Line on Lens Pens
Using a proper lens pen for cleaning is essential. Lenses are costly and get dirty very quickly. Fingerprints often smudge the lens and make it hard to see through. Microfiber cloths and basic lens wipes found in lens cleaning kits won’t do the full job, and an extra tool is required. Cue the lens pen!