The LensPen by Optex: Heaven's Gift to Photographers

Here's a smart new solution to the problem of dirty camera lenses. The LensPen is easy to pack, easy to use, and very affordable. With only minor downsides, the LensPen is the perfection addition to any photographer's camera bag.

I take pictures everyday so I must clean my camera's lenses everyday. Especially during travel. But since we can't bring the small bottle of lens cleaning fluid through airport security anymore, I tended to rely on my dry lens cloths instead. But the cloths are inefficient leaving streaks and raising the chances of scratching your lenses. Thank goodness, for the LensPen.

I found the LensPen at a local drugstore's camera department. I've seen it since at our local camera shops, too. The prices ranged from $13 - $20.

Simple to Use:

The LensPen is a "pen" design with two cleaning tools: a fine-haired brush and a round felt cleaning tip. Both are kept inside the pen when not in use protecting them from damage.

The LensPen is so easy to use. Just flip the brush up and dust any visible particles off the camera lens; then follow up with the felt tip. (You'll have to remove the protective cover from the felt tip at the other end of the pen.) The manufacturer suggests moving the tip in a circular pattern around the lens and because of the tip's size, this is very easy to do. Notice a tiny smudge? The tip instantly does small touch-ups perfectly.

Dimensions:

The LensPen is 5 inches in length and weighs next to nothing. It's chubby body fits comfortably into a hand. It has a pocket clip built into its housing making it the perfect companion for breast pocket, purse, or camera bag.

There is another pen offered by Optex, the Mink Pro, with a thinner body and a smaller felt head. This is fine for cleaning your camera's LCD screen but it is too small for cleaning the camera's lenses.

Criticisms:

While the pen is sporty in silver-grey and black, the dark colors make it too hard to spot, either in a camera bag, or worse, when dropped outside on the ground. I would prefer the LensPen be offered in bright colors so it's not so hard to find.

And after daily use, I have noticed a wearing away of the felt tip, but I use my LensPen a great deal. So, that seems understandable.

Suggestions for improvement:

It would be very helpful if the manufacturer would add a small connective device (plastic bar or string) between the LensPen and the cap covering the felt tip. I have had several occasions where I have either dropped the cap or forgotten where I placed it.

Overall Rating for the LensPen: 10 for brilliance and ease of use, 9 for design and 8 for color.