Camera lens cleaning help

[Dave2002]

My "trusty" Canon bridge camera (20x zoom) has been playing up more and more recently with frequent lens errors and failures to take shots or focus properly. I suspect that the dirt on the lens doesn't help. I think I need a liquid cleaner plus a suitably soft cloth to minimise potential damage to the lens and its coating. I think a fine microfibre cloth would work, but what liquid should I use?

[ahinton]

My "trusty" Canon bridge camera (20x zoom) has been playing up more and more recently with frequent lens errors and failures to take shots or focus properly. I suspect that the dirt on the lens doesn't help. I think I need a liquid cleaner plus a suitably soft cloth to minimise potential damage to the lens and its coating. I think a fine microfibre cloth would work, but what liquid should I use?

I'm no expert but would have thought that any decent spectacle cleaner should do the trick.

[Bryn]

Some useful advice and warnings here.

[Dave2002]

Some useful advice and warnings here.

Thanks for that one. This link from that page was also interesting (but not directly relevant ...) - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora...-solar-eclipse

[johnb]

For general dust I use a bulb blower (NOT an aerosol of compressed air) and a carbon fibre brush for lenses.

For marks etc I use Purosol Lens Cleaner and PEC PAD Non Abrasive Wipes (but get all the dust off first).

[Dave2002]

I suppose a slightly related question might be "how long (many years) is it reasonable to keep a modern camera for?". I do use mine quite a lot, and cleaning and maintenance might just not be economic.

Cleaning yes - anything else perhaps not.