LensPen DSLR Pro Camera Cleaning Kit Review
Keeping your camera and lens clean may not be the most exciting task, but it's an essential one. Is the LensPen cleaning kit the answer? We found out.
This LensPen DSLR Pro Camera Cleaning Kit review will help you decide if the three-piece bundle is worth your money.
Without a blower, a cloth, or a cleaning solution, you can use just the three pen-shaped tools in the kit to clean up the lens, filter, and viewfinder on your DSLR.
Well designed, compact and easy to use - an affordable way to keep your cameras and lenses spotless.
I’ve been using the three LensPens for a while now and have added them to my rotation of essential camera accessories.
For the most part, they’re a nifty selection, but there are some minor issues that popped up along the way, from the exposed brush barrel to the non-replaceable tips.
Let’s see how the LensPen cleaning kit performs and if it’s the best camera/lens cleaning kit of the year.
What is the LensPen DSLR Pro Camera Cleaning Kit?
- Compact build for easier handling
- No cleaning solutions needed
- Liquid-free surface resists drying
- Leaves no streak marks behind
- Carbon molecules for absorbing oil residue
- Comes with a 2-in-1 microfiber pouch
- Color-coded design for easier identification
- Not ideal for polarizing filters (look for a disclaimer on the packaging)
- Non-replaceable tips
- Bristles could shed a little on first use
The LensPen DSLR Pro Kit is a set of three dual-sided pens: the Original LensPen, the FilterKlear, and the MicroPro.
Each has a retractable soft brush on one side and a small, rounded cleaning surface with carbon molecules on the other.
As you can imagine, the LensPen is the star of the show. Its 12-mm cleaning tip is only slightly concave, which makes it a snug fit for the convex lens surface.
The FilterKlear is just as large as the Original LensPen, but its tip is flat to sit flush with the filters.
Finally, the smallest of the bunch is the MicroPro, with a 4-mm tip made for viewfinders. It works well for smartphone cameras, as well.
Aside from the three cleaning pens, the kit arrives with a dual-purpose pouch, but I’ll get to that in a minute!
See tips on cleaning a camera lens.
What is LensPen Used for?
The LensPen can remove dust, smudges, and fingerprints from a camera lens.
The best part is that using the LensPen is pretty intuitive; you just follow these steps:
- Push the retractable brush out of the barrel.
- With the lens turned upside down, brush off the dust.
- Uncap the cleaning tip.
- Wipe in circular motions to let the carbon molecules absorb the oil.
- Press lightly and go over persistent smudges once again.
Keep in mind that you’ll repeat these steps for the filter using the FilterKlear. Then, you’ll do the same for the viewfinder using the MicroPro.
How Does LensPen Perform?
Overall, the Original LensPen does a good job of routine cleaning. So far, I haven’t had any trouble with streak marks, and it’s easier to use and carry than a blower.
Since we’re talking about performance, I want to mention that there’s a difference between the white and black variations of the LensPen DSLR Pro Camera Cleaning Kit.
If you opt for the new white kit, you’ll get a nifty feature: invisible carbon molecules.
Apparently, some people found that the cleaning tips on the Black Series would leave behind carbon traces on the lens. So, the company came up with this update to tackle the issue.
However, one gripe that you might have with either kit’s overall performance is the MircoPro’s shape. A triangular or square tip would’ve been a better fit for a viewfinder than a rounded end.
What is the Accessory Pouch Like?
So, I mentioned earlier that the LensPen DSLR Pro Camera Cleaning Kit comes with a foldable pouch. Inside, you’ll find three pockets to clip each pen to.
Obviously, this makes the kit even more portable, but one more thing that caught my eye was the microfiber material. It’s super soft, and I might just use it as a cleaning cloth when I’m done with the pens.
The downside? I don’t think the pouch is a luxury – it’s basically a glorified lens cloth with pockets.
However, since since the retractable brush has no cap, dust could accumulate quickly if the pen isn’t covered up in the pouch.
What are the Alternatives to LensPen?
If buying the LensPen DSLR Pro Camera Cleaning Kit feels like overkill, you can always get just the Original LensPen.
Alternatively, you could opt for other popular cleaning tools, like:
MiniPro: A LensPen product 8-mm tip that works best for compact camera models.
SensorKlear II: A LensPen product with a small articulating head made specifically for CCD and CMOS sensors.
DigiKlear: It’s like the Original LensPen, but with a semi-triangular tip, which makes it a better fit for LCD screens rather than lenses.
CURA Micro Wiper Papers: A pack of microfiber cleaning cloths best used with the water-based CURA Lens Cleaning Fluid.
On the other hand, you could get kits from other brands. My top picks would be:
K&F Concept 23-in-1 Camera Lens Cleaning Kit: A highly versatile bundle that works for both DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
REFLYING Camera Cleaning Kit: An all-bells-and-whistles kit for DSLR cameras.
Zeiss Lens Cleaning Kit: It lacks the cleaning tip but comes with a blower, wipes, and a microfiber cloth.
Value for Money
Even though buying all three pens in a bundle saves money, the kit is still on the pricey side, especially if you compare it to something like the REFLYING lens cleaning kit.
However, the pens are pretty long-lasting, and you won’t have to replace them as often. After all, the liquid-free design means they don’t have an expiration date and won’t dry out over time.
Plus, LensPen has a customer satisfaction guarantee. So, if you’re not happy with the product, you can ask for a refund.
FAQ’s
Does LensPen work?
Yes, the LensPen can clean fingerprints off a camera lens without cleaning solutions or microfiber cloths. That’s because the carbon molecules absorb the oils and remove sticking dust.
Can you use LensPen on glasses?
Yes, it’s possible to use the LensPen on eyeglasses, binoculars, or projectors.
How long does LensPen last?
LensPen rates all the products in the DSLR Pro Camera Cleaning Kit for up to 500 uses.
Can you use LensPen on the sensor?
No, I wouldn’t recommend using the Original LensPen or any of the pens in the DSLR Pro Kit for sensors. You could opt for the semi-triangular SensorKlear II model with a bulb blower.
Sensor swaps are also a safe alternative to consider.
LensPen Review | Conclusion
Although I have a few gripes with the LensPen, it’s still one of the essentials.
Why? Well, it’s pocket-sized, long-lasting, and gets the job done.
So, a kit with the original model and two extra pens (one flat-tipped and one micro-tipped) is a tempting deal.
All in all, I don’t think the carbon tips on my pens will run out of absorbance power anytime soon. When they eventually collapse, odds are, I’ll grab another DSLR Pro Camera Cleaning Kit, for its convenience, if nothing else.
Well designed, compact and easy to use - an affordable way to keep your cameras and lenses spotless.
Jeff Collier is an experienced film photographer who enjoys experimenting with modern digital photography equipment, software and apps. He’s also an ex-world champion triathlete and avid cyclist, clocking hundreds of km each week in the beautiful Tweed Valley of northern NSW, Australia.
