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Always wipe your lens down after using your camera extensively. First check and see what residue has found its way onto the glass. If it’s just dust particles use your lens cloth to remove the dust and any smudges that may have appeared. Wipe in a circular manner until all the dust is gone and your lens is shining like new.

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If you check your lens and it looks like it has small pieces of dirt, hair, or any other abrasive particles, DO NOT wipe it with your lens cloth or blow on it. By wiping it with your lens cloth you could scratch the glass, ruining your lens.Even the smallest hairline scratch can show up big on photos. Instead use a lens cleaning tool, like the one shown below to remove the particles with a microfiber brush.

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Never blow on your lens! When you blow on a lens you usually end up getting saliva on the glass. Water smudges are a pain to remove and leave streaks. Instead use a microfiber lens cloth and brush.

Never touch the glass of a lens! Oils in your hands smudge the optics and leave streaks that are not easy to get off. Always keep your lens cap on the lens. If you’re not shooting, put the cap back on, even if the camera is around your neck. This may seem like common sense, but the glass on a lens is so fine that the smallest particle can scratch it, forever tainting your gorgeous landscapes and portraits.

One last tip for lens care, when changing lenses on a SLR, hold the open end of the lens down and immediately replace the rear lens cap. Hold your camera body facing down as well. What this does is prevents dirt and other particles from finding their way onto the glass.

Taking proper care of your lens is just as important as taking good pictures. It will keep your pictures bright and colorful and let your expensive camera last much longer.