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Cleaning of kit

organicimagery
Posted 09/04/2010 - 11:25 Link
Ok hello all, been away a while, (family issues), However they slowly working themselves out. Just wondering, Can I wash my lowepro mini trekker bag? ie washing machine etc? Also what is the best way to clean camera and lens bodys down? thanks folks and i hope all is well
DoctorJeff
Posted 09/04/2010 - 14:08 Link
organicimagery wrote@
Quote:
Also what is the best way to clean camera and lens bodys down?

Slowly and carefully!
But seriously - get a set of small brushes from artists camel-hair up to very soft 12mm domestic paint, and a soft toothbrush. These will take dust out from all the little nooks and crannies.
Now get some cotton buds and some old-fashioned lighter fuel and use that to remove the grease where a hand has been, and the dust is now too hard for the soft brushes to work. This is also a good way of reviving the engraving on a lens barrel where the paint has got a bit dirty. Don't expect miracles - this will clean the paint, but it will not make up for fading. I've just done a 58mm Helios this way.
But do remember the slowly and carefully bit ... ...
Geoff
Water can wear away a stone - but it can't cook lunch
X-5
istDS
K2000
P50.
Lenses Digital: 50-200, 18-55 KAF: 28-80.
Lenses KA & K: SMC-KA f2.0, SMC-K f1.4, SMC-K f1.7 Tokina KA 28-70 , SMC Pentax 70-210 F4, Sigma KA 75-300 , Hanimex 500mm Mirror, and the Tamron Adaptall-2 stuff.
and then there's all the M42 kit, and the accessories ...
Anvh
Posted 09/04/2010 - 14:40 Link
Your GX20 has sealing... I simply resined my K10D with the DA*50-135 attach under the tap ^^;

Used one very tiny drop of washing soap for your dishes and that worked well, don't know if that's the recommend way... I already see the horrid faces before me
For the non WR lenses I use a microfiber cloth and the same dish water and make sure the cloth is only mildly moist.
But like I said probably not the way to clean them ^^;
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
Pentaxophile
Posted 09/04/2010 - 14:50 Link
I know it's got weather sealing, but that sounds like tempting fate Stefan. I wouldn't be tempted to do that, especially not with a wetting agent such as detergent. I just use a damp cloth for the task. Or a dry cloth with a hint of 'Mr Sheen'!
[link=https://500px.com/will_brealey/[/link]
Anvh
Posted 09/04/2010 - 15:08 Link
Yeah I might indeed be tempting fate that's why I said I'm sure I get some horrid faces

I once had dropped the camera in the mud.. well not drop but I lost my balance and it was covered in mud after that... the only quick fix was to resine it so did that carefully hoping that the seals would last and they did. I know one Nikon user staring in amazement when i put the camera under the tap

After that I got more confident in the sealing and I've no problems now putting it under the tap.
Already done it a couple of times and the very very diluted detergent is great to get the grease/fat from your hands of your camera and get it really clean, also work great on the front element of your lens. Since the water is running and I don't put it underwater there is no pressure on the seals.

It surely is not for the faint hearted or the unlucky ones and without any risks
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
Edited by Anvh: 09/04/2010 - 15:10
johnriley
Posted 09/04/2010 - 15:10 Link
Washing machine, paint brishes, lighter fuel, rinsing under taps, Mr Sheen.......I feel almost too weak to respond to all that. I may have nightmares for weeks. Thankfully nobody mentioned dishwashers.

A soft dry cotton cloth or microfibre cloth. If necessary, a slightly damp cloth. That's it, nothing more.

The best way to clean a camera is not to let it get dirty in the first place, but if it does then as little as possible to clean it.
Best regards, John
Anvh
Posted 09/04/2010 - 15:13 Link
Well John a dishwasher might be an option if you can lower the pressure of the water jets

johnriley wrote:
The best way to clean a camera is not to let it get dirty in the first place, but if it does then as little as possible to clean it.

Yeah but even when you pick up your camera it gets dirty... I haven't bought it to look at it
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
Lloydy
Posted 09/04/2010 - 18:21 Link
I use optical wet wipes to clean the body and lens, and if they're really dirty with oil from being used when I'm in the workshop I use industrial wet wipes that I use on my hands.

Never had any problems and the camera's nice and clean.
organicimagery
Posted 09/04/2010 - 19:46 Link
Ok great thanks folks, i have cleaned it with a damp towel, worked wonders, now the bag can that be washed?
Anvh
Posted 09/04/2010 - 19:51 Link
Check the label in the bag
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
doingthebobs
Posted 09/04/2010 - 20:24 Link
Best to keep detergents away from proofed fabric items they ruin the waterproofing agents. Most clothes washing powders and gels are detergents!
They should clean off with water only but if you really need help try some ordinary soap in the water and rinse well before drying. A brush helps get mud out from the fabric.
Bob
johnriley
Posted 09/04/2010 - 23:50 Link
A good qual;ity bag should need very little cleaning. I was in a cafe once and the waitress dropped a load of chicken curry onto my camera bag. It cleaned off with just a damp cloth and didn't even stain.
Best regards, John
beginner
Posted 09/04/2010 - 23:53 Link
johnriley wrote:
A good qual;ity bag should need very little cleaning. I was in a cafe once and the waitress dropped a load of chicken curry onto my camera bag. It cleaned off with just a damp cloth and didn't even stain.

Does it have a smell of the orient on hot days?
K20D...ist DS ,DA18/55,DA16/45.DA* 50/135,"A"1.7 50MM..."A" 70/210..M 50mm f2...Tamron 90mm macro,28/300 Tamron,200/500 Tamron 6.9....A Pentax DA*300... Sigma10/20,FA31mm 1.8 Ltd*********,FA 77mm Ltd!
davem
Posted 11/04/2010 - 19:37 Link
Nikwax Techwash is ideal for cleaning waterproof fabrics.(www.nikwax.com I use it on outdoor clothing. They also make a wash in waterproofer which does not need heat treatment to make it work.

Dave
montyaus
Posted 11/04/2010 - 23:59 Link
Anvh I have been told not to use dish washing liquids on glass, because it leaves a smear or film to make dishes sparkling clean, the old style soaps are produced from fat, so I would not want to put any of these on my cameras or lenses.

I love clean water and soft cloth it may not be the best cleaning agent but it is safe.
K5iis,K7,KM, MG, Super A, MZ50.
24f2.8; 28f2.8;31 limited; 35f2; 55f1.8; 135f2.8; 400f5.6:
Some zooms
Edited by montyaus: 12/04/2010 - 00:05

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