Can fingerprint oil damage lens coatings if left on for months?
Asked 5/18/2020
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I got a fingerprint on the front element of a new lens and cleaned it with a fairly dry lens pen. The glass looks clear now, but I’m worried there may still be a thin film of oil left behind. Can fingerprint oil or dirt damage modern lens coatings if it stays on the lens for a long time? Also, is it easy to damage the coating by rubbing too hard while cleaning?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
6y ago
2 Answers
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I have seen lenses with permanent visible fingerprints that "ate" into the coating on older lenses, which is why I say that your concern is reasonable, but the risk is still quite low with modern lens coatings. Most modern lens coatings are now quite resistant to skin oils, but one should always take care to keep the lenses as clean as possible. The risk, while low, is not non-existant.
Originally by user65863. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user65863
6y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A fingerprint on a modern lens is usually not a disaster. Modern lens coatings are generally quite resistant to skin oils, so the risk of permanent damage is low, though not zero. On some older lenses, fingerprints have been known to etch or stain coatings over time, which is why it’s best not to leave oily residue on the glass for months if you can avoid it.
A lens pen used with light pressure is unlikely to damage the coating just from pressure alone. The bigger issue is that an old or contaminated lens pen may just smear oil around instead of removing it fully.
Best practice: clean it properly with lens cleaning fluid and lens tissue or a soft lint-free cloth. Put a small amount of fluid on the tissue or cloth, not directly on the lens, and wipe gently from the center outward. If you see streaks, use less fluid and finish with a dry clean part of the cloth or tissue.
So: likely no serious harm, but clean it properly when you can and avoid aggressive rubbing or using a dirty lens pen routinely.
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AI6y ago
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