How to Clean and Store Fujinon Lenses: A Step-by-Step Guide
By Fujifilm House of Photography | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Tips & Care
Keep your Fujinon glass sharp and fungus-free with a simple routine for cleaning, drying, and storing lenses in humid climates.
Quick answer
Clean your Fujinon lenses with a blower first, then a soft brush, and only use lens fluid on a microfiber cloth for stubborn marks. Store them in a dry, ventilated case with a desiccant and keep humidity between 40 and 50 percent to prevent fungus. Check and recharge desiccant every one to two months.
Why humidity control matters more than cleaning frequency
Fungus grows on lens coatings when relative humidity stays above 60 percent for weeks. In tropical or coastal climates, a sealed dry cabinet is more reliable than a simple bag. If you use a camera bag, add reusable silica gel and refresh it monthly. A cheap hygrometer takes the guesswork out of storage.
Cleaning too often can do more harm than good. Every wipe risks micro-scratches. Only clean when you see dust, fingerprints, or salt spray. For everyday dust, a rocket blower is enough. Save the cloth for smudges.
What to keep in your cleaning kit
You need a rocket blower, a soft lens brush, a microfiber cloth, and a small bottle of lens cleaning fluid. Avoid canned air because propellant can spit onto the glass. Avoid paper tissues and shirt corners. For the lens contacts, use a dry cotton swab or a contact cleaner pen. Never put fluid directly on the lens; apply it to the cloth.
How to handle weather sealing and WR lenses
Fujinon WR lenses resist dust and moisture, but that does not mean waterproof. After shooting in rain or at the beach, wipe the barrel with a damp cloth, then dry it immediately. Do not leave a wet lens in a sealed bag. Let it air-dry at room temperature before storing. If you use a filter, clean it as often as the front element.
Your 7-step Fujinon lens care routine
- 1. Blow off loose dust: Use a rocket blower to remove grit from the front element, rear element, and barrel. Hold the lens upside down so particles fall away. Checkpoint: if you still see particles, do not wipe yet.
- 2. Brush the edges: Use a soft lens brush to sweep dust from the filter ring and lens barrel threads. A clean paintbrush works if it has never touched paint. Mistake to avoid: using a dirty brush that adds oil.
- 3. Wipe smudges with fluid: Breathe on the lens or apply one drop of lens fluid to a microfiber cloth. Wipe in a spiral from center to edge with light pressure. Checkpoint: the cloth should be damp, not wet.
- 4. Clean the lens contacts: Use a dry cotton swab or contact cleaning pen on the metal contacts. Do not use fluid, which can leave residue. Mistake to avoid: touching contacts with fingers.
- 5. Dry before storing: If the lens was in rain or cold, let it reach room temperature in a ventilated area. Wipe off any visible moisture. Checkpoint: no condensation on the glass or inside the barrel.
- 6. Store with desiccant: Place the lens in a padded case or dry cabinet with fresh silica gel. Keep humidity between 40 and 50 percent. Recharge desiccant every 1-2 months. Mistake to avoid: sealing a damp lens in a plastic bag.
- 7. Inspect quarterly: Every three months, shine a light through each lens. Look for haze, spots, or web-like fungus. If you see growth, isolate the lens and seek professional cleaning. Next step: mark your calendar for the next desiccant swap.
Fujinon lenses built for daily care
- FUJINON XF 30mm F2.8 R LM WR Macro: FUJINON XF 30mm F2.8 R LM WR Macro offers 1:1 macro capability and close focusing to 1.2cm from the lens, with minimal focus breathing. Its close-focusing design means the front element can get very near dusty or damp subjects, so a blower and lens cloth should be part of every macro session.
- FUJINON XF 50mm F2 R WR Black: FUJINON XF 50mm F2 R WR is a mid-telephoto lens in Fujifilm's compact, lightweight, fast aperture lineup. Its compact size makes it easy to store in a small dry box or bag with a desiccant, which helps prevent fungus during long gaps between shoots.
- FUJINON XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS: FUJINON XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS features optical image stabilization that allows shutter speeds 5.0 stops slower. The extending zoom barrel can pull in dust, so wipe the barrel after outdoor use and store the lens zoomed in to reduce exposure.
