On 1 Oct 2001 18:13:44 -0700, ovediproductions@msn.com (Oved) wrote:

>Well Guys!!!!! I got it to work NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
>It wasn't in the inner part of the lens. It was actually stained on
>the exterior part. Even though I went and shot some video outdoors
>today and couldn't see a stain on the picture, today I started to take
>pictures of the lens with a Sony TRV-8, although the pictures didn't
>look so good, the stains were visible, specially the one on the right
>that looked like a smear. So while taking the pictures I started to
>realize that it was really on the outside part of the lens. So I took
>a cloth (the ones used for sunglasses) and wrapped it around my index
>finger. Very Carefully but at the same time pretty roughly I pressed
>and scrubbed. And even though it took some time, I got rid of the
>smeared purple spots!
>Thanks to everyone!!!!!!!
>Thanks a million!

But, but, but.....! ;-)
We all guessed it was ***inside***, given its consistency
(all your shooting must be under the same illumination
level...;-). Also, unless there is serious "gunk" on the
outer element (with enough density to seriously block
light), we would not expect to see it except under difficult
lighting conditions). Also, if it was that bad, you could
about *peel* it off the front surface...! ;-) So, it is
with some surprise I read the above...;-) BTW, there are
safer methods for cleaning lenses (they can be scratched
easily). I prefer Kodak lens tissue, first dampened with
breath, Windex, or lighter-fluid (depending on how
bad it is), then cleaned with successively gentler
solvents. NEVER apply liquid directly to the lens (to
avoid having it run in behind), always wash your hands
before starting (with a detergent, to avoid adding oil
smears), always breath *up* onto a lens surface (to avoid
silver "spit" spots), never rub hard (to avoid scratching
the lens surface), and use only one tissue at a time, but
change it often in the process... AND, NEVER USE A SILICON
BASED "CLEANER"!!! (These look great when first use, but
quickly fog, and they are VERY difficult to remove...) A
large air-syringe (without brush) is useful for removing
loose surface dust.