Top Tips.

Yes, better than a microfibre cloth - as can be seen by examining the lens afterwards with a bright white LED light that shows up more than sunlight does.

No, because grit is blown or brushed off before using the velvet pad. The pad is used to clean greasy or dirty smears rather than grit. The other end of the pen contains a brush.

The pad is cleaned and primed by inserting and rotating in the cap that contains dry carbon powder. The carbon absorbs grease and seems to last for ever.

The lens should be brushed again afterwards to remove any remaining carbon powder.

Greasy brush? Wash it.

Top Tip #11.

Don't try to clone out sensor 'crud' that is actually on your monitor

Thanks Pete I may now invest in one as they are handy to carry and you have explained how they work better than the manufacturers.

Mike

Aha! I didn't know the part about twisting the cap to clean the pad, thanks for mentioning that.

My microfibre cloth is now relegated to cleaning noseprints off the LCD on the back of my camera or cleaning inside lenses I'm treating for a fungal infection, as the lens pen is both much easier to use and a lot more effective. Oddly enough I won't use it on something I've just cleaned mould off as I don't want to transfer the mould to all my other lenses!