The difference between CLA lenses and my own cleaning is HUGE over a year

I sent my own personal Nikon 50mm f/1.4 off to a shop for a proper CLA last March, and I just compared some test shots from right before that to ones I took last week. The contrast and flare resistance are NIGHT AND DAY better after the pro work. Meanwhile, I've been cleaning lenses for customers at the hospital side gig using just a blower and microfiber, thinking I was doing a decent job. But seeing my CLA'd glass side by side with a lens I only cleaned myself... the haze and micro-scratches from my amateur methods are way more visible than I thought. Is it really worth sending every other lens out for a pro service, or am I just being too hard on my own technique? Has anyone else seen this big of a difference after getting a proper CLA done on a lens you thought was already clean?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_rose5d ago

Honestly, pro CLA tackles internal haze that cleaning can't touch.

paulnguyen5d ago

Oh man, that is so frustrating (and also super relatable). I feel you on this one, it's like no matter how much you wipe the outside, that milky haze just stays put.