Lens paper cleans delicate optical surfaces like this camera lens.
Lens paper is a soft, lightweight, lint-free tissue used to clean delicate optical surfaces such as camera lenses and viewfinders. The smallest scratch on a camera lens could result in a huge imperfection once a picture is developed, so lens paper is specially formulated to clean smudges without creating nicks or leaving debris that can obscure the shot. You can also use lens paper on microscopes, telescopes and binoculars.
Basic Lens Paper
Basic lens paper is suitable for the vast majority of lens cleaning needs. Most manufacturers sell lens paper in packs of at least 25 individual sheets that are small enough to clean intricate camera parts with maximum control. Look for lens paper that meets the quality standard set by the U.S. General Services Administration. These products will say on their labels that the paper meets federal specification NNN-P-40B or the more recent specification A-A-50177B.
Precision Optics Lens Paper
While basic lens paper is of sufficient quality to clean most consumer optical lenses, more sophisticated technologies require an even finer lens paper. Companies such as Peca Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer of optical cleaning products, make higher-quality lens paper suitable for cleaning science lab instruments, as well as "Class 5" lens paper approved by the U.S. Department of Defense for cleaning precision instruments such as scopes that the Armed Forces use.
Composition
Basic lens paper is composed of bleached chemical wood pulp (derived through a chemical cooking process that breaks down the wood fibers), bleached cotton or linen fibers, or a mixture of the two. In order to meet federal standards, lens paper may not contain unbleached or mechanical wood pulp (derived through a grinding process) or any other contaminants.
Use
To achieve the most thorough clean, use lens paper in combination with a liquid lens cleaning solution. First use a dry lens tissue to sweep away larger particles of dust or debris, which could potentially scratch the lens if rubbed. Gather several sheets of tissue in a wad, then apply a few drops of cleaning solution and rub the surface of the lens in a gentle circular motion. Last, buff the lens with a dry tissue to avoid streaks until the lens is clear.
Tags: lens paper, wood pulp derived, Basic lens paper, camera lens, cleaning solution