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Normally, a soft hair brush is sufficient to remove
dust from the outer lens elements. However, in
case of more stubborn dirt, they can be carefully
cleaned with a very clean, soft cloth that is com-
pletely free of foreign matter, using circular
motions from the inside to the outside.
We recommend micro-fiber cloths (available from
photographic and optical specialists) that are
stored in a protective container and can be washed
at temperatures of up to 40°C (without fabric
softener, never iron!). Cloths for cleaning
glasses, which are impregnated with chemicals,
should not be used as they can damage the lens
glass.
Optimum front lens protection in unfavorable
conditions (e.g. sand, salt water spray) can be
achieved using colorless UVa filters. However, as
with any filters, these can cause undesirable
reflections in certain backlight situations and
with large contrasts. The generally recommended
lens hood also protects the lens from unintentional
fingerprints and the rain.
Note the serial number of your camera (engraved
on the bottom of your LEICA R9) and lenses, as
these are extremely important in case of loss.
