Clean camera lens?

[lkim]

Any suggestions for cleaning the camera lens? It's hard to see if there's actually a lens to service.

[pelaca]

Originally posted by lkim
Any suggestions for cleaning the camera lens? It's hard to see if there's actually a lens to service.

I don't recommend it except if the lens are really dirt... the 1mm lents are really hard to clean it... normally are acrylic made don't use any solvent for clean it...

[rhart00]

I think about the only thing you can do is try to prevent it from getting too dirty. I try to keep it closed all the time except for when i need to take a pic

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by lkim
Any suggestions for cleaning the camera lens? It's hard to see if there's actually a lens to service.

You can use a squeeze bulb to gently blow away dust, purchase in any camera store. Do NOT use the canned air stuff, as the pressure is too high and it may gum up the works.

[jsp91470]

I'm not sure there is even a lens, either... the opening is so small it may just be a pinhole-type camera. It would explain the fuzziness of the images.

[OcellNuri]

It is a penhole cam, but I'm not sure if there is a plastic "lens" or not in that hole. I havn't been brave enough to stick anything in the hole to see if I hit plastic or just go through. It's so small I can't see any glare if there is plastic protecting the opening.

[xMRG]

Looking in the hole with a magnifying galss and flashlight I see what looks like fuzz and can't tell if there is a lense. I sucked out the fuzz with a thin straw <cough cough>. Upon further investigation, now with a microscope, I can see that there is a lense and very small flat specs of dust or sneeze debris on the lense. The debris does not appear to effect the quality of my pictures but I cannot seem to dislodge the debris with the straw. Argh, how do I clean it? Is it worth the effort?

[Trp]

I stuck a needle in there, there is no plastic "lens".

[xMRG]

I saw the lens using the microscope. It is there. I don't think digital cameras leave the CCD or CMOS image sensors exposed without a cover of some sort. Also, I think there has to be a lens to focus the light on the sensor.

[freecia]

Originally posted by Trp
I stuck a needle in there, there is no plastic "lens".

Well you're a brave soul.
You could try a soft artist-grade paintbrush (get them from the art store, not in the crayola packs at the grocers). There are plenty of fine tipped soft brushes and I think that might work.

[n2ifp]

There is a lens and it's plastic. The small opening is due to it being a non focus camera and to provide an adequate depth of field, while keeping it cheap! It also is limited in it's low light capabilities.

[Trp]

Well, i dont know if there is a lens or not, however if there is one, it is not right in the hole, when i put my needle in it went past the little hole, maybe there is a lens deeper down.

[Phalanx]

For what it's worth, the Sony manual states to use a cotton swab to clean it.

[xMRG]

Hah, in the end it is RTFM.

[reactor18]

I used a Q-tip dipped in alcohol (not wet, damp) to clean the area after forgeting to rotate the lens inware. For the lens itself, you can't beat a soft lens cleaningbrush attached to a blow bulb.

[pelaca]

Originally posted by reactor18
I used a Q-tip dipped in alcohol (not wet, damp) to clean the area after forgeting to rotate the lens inware. For the lens itself, you can't beat a soft lens cleaningbrush attached to a blow bulb.

the Readme 1st says

Remove the dirt and dust from the cammera lens by wiping with a soft damp cotton swab

But i don't recommend the use of alcohol or any solvent. Use your breath if you want it, but no solvents or alcohol because normally the lens of the 1mm cammera is made with acrilic.