Camera Geekery: Mobile cloth – Mini Review
I am hopeless with cloths, I always lose them or I find that they don’t so much as clean things as spread them around. But then I was given a set of these Mobile Cloths, and they are brilliant.
Keeping your lenses clean is a vital part of photography. Dirty lenses can end up ruining a shot, so it is important that you make sure your lenses are clean at all times. But using your T-shirt is not the right way to do it, as you can end up damaging the coating on your lens. So finding the right lens cloth is very important. The thing is, which lens cloth? I have been through loads of different cloths over the years and I have often been disappointed. But recently I was sent a cloth that has completely blown me away. It is so good that I felt that I had to write about it.
The Mobile Cloth is made by a small company in the USA and is already winning over the critics with its amazing ability. This cloth is made using a special technique to create a micro fibre weave that removes not only the dust and grime, but also removes viruses and germs too! Now hopefully your lens is not covered in bugs, but your phone will be. In all honesty, phones are pretty disgusting, but this cloth even cleans them. A true test for a cloth for me is cleaning my phone, usually this takes a while, but with this cloth it was done in one wipe! Brilliant. As a glasses wearer this makes me extremely happy.
Mobile Cloth video
The cloths come in different sizes, but my favourite is the mini cloth. It fits in the pocket but it is big enough to clean even the filthiest of lenses. The best thing about these cloths is that they are washable, so once it gets covered in your crap you can chuck it in the machine and use it again.
Mobile Cloth are also doing a photography project, showcasing the work of photographers who are using the cloth. They have a Flickr page and you can see the pics on their website too.
I am really impressed with these cloths and I will have one in my bag from now on, they are an indispensable part of the photographers armoury. Check out the cloths for yourself by going to the website www.mobilecloth.com. They have a whole range and they are very reasonably priced. In fact, I would say that you should definitely buy some of these, you will not regret it.
Cheers
Japancamerahunter
After using cameras for decades now I am convinced there is no great secret to lens cleaning.
Any clean soft material ( preferably a natural fiber like cotton ) will clean a lens in most situations.
IF there is dust dirt or sand on the lens blow or lightly brush it off first before using any cloth.
If there are smudges or fingerprint like marks on a lens or filter use your breath to lightly moisten the lens ( if possible ) and polish with a soft clean cloth
If your T shirt or shirt or handkerchief or towel is soft clean and available then why not use that ?
I carry a small grey cleaning cloth
It is 18% grey incase I need a grey card reading ( not requred often but handy to have and it is stored incase everything else is dirty ( this does happen quite often !!!!! :- )
PS Lens coatings in the 60 and 70s were very delicate
They are a WHOLE LOT more robust and durable now thank goodness !
Still, I have been through a whole ton of cloths that I have not got on with. But I really liked these ones. I am not gentle with my lenses and these clean up the worst of it without any hassle.
Cheers
Bellamy
Gave up on cloths last year after being nagged by my local dealer to finally try out the Lens Pen. Not looked back since! :)
I use cloths from my local optical shop. They periodically send coupons for free glasses cleaning cloths or eyeglass cases and I always get the cloths :) they have worked great for the past 6+ years!