Hama Cleaning Pen for Camera Lenses and Filters (lens and filter cleaning pen)

If you regularly swap lenses, wipe condensation off front elements, or end up with the occasional fingerprint on a filter, the Hama Cleaning Pen is the kind of tool you can keep in your kit and actually use. It’s a compact pen-style cleaner designed specifically for optical surfaces like camera lenses and filters, using a two-stage approach: first for dry, rough removal, then for a more thorough clean to tackle streaks.

The big selling point, on paper, is that it avoids introducing liquid that could dry out in storage. You’re meant to retract the brush into the housing for protection and use the velvet cleaning surface with fibres activated automatically. That makes it fairly practical for “grab it and go” lens care rather than treating cleaning like a big, planned job.

What it is and what it’s for

The Hama Cleaning Pen is an optical cleaning tool aimed at camera lenses and filters. It’s built around two phases of cleaning, so you’re not just rubbing at whatever you can see. The first phase uses a soft lens brush for preliminary cleaning, intended to lift dust and other loose grit without scratching. The second phase uses a curved velvet surface with special fibres, plus a carbon powder process described as dissolving and binding grease and dirt.

In everyday terms, this is the sort of pen you’d reach for before packing the camera away—especially when there’s dust on the front element from a quick change outside, or when you notice smudges from handling.

It’s also designed to be immediately ready to use: a screw closure triggers automatic activation of the velvety surface, so there’s no separate step to manually activate the fibres.

Key takeaways (what stands out)

This pen is more about convenience and gentle, staged cleaning than about heavy-duty restoration. The retractable brush is a sensible detail, because a lot of cleaning accessories get beat up in a bag. Here, the brush can be stored inside the housing to help keep it protected.

You also get an ergonomic, compact pen shape, including a holder, which makes it easier to keep track of—again, useful if you’re the type who always has to rummage for small gear.

One more practical touch is the “no liquid drying out” idea. Since the cleaning sequence is described as dry cleaning for that phase, it’s less likely you’ll find the tool gummed up or unpredictable after sitting in storage.

What you’ll notice day to day

For quick lens checks, the two-stage design matters. First, you brush away dust and loose particles rather than grinding them into the glass. Then you use the velvet surface to address fingerprints, grease marks, and streaks.

A micro example: say you’re shooting a street scene and your filter gets touched while changing straps or reaching into your bag. You can brush first to remove any stray grit, then use the velvet side to reduce visible smears. It’s not magic, but it’s a more sensible workflow than trying to do everything in one pass.

Where it shines, and where it can fall short

It’s a solid match if you want a portable cleaning option you can keep on hand for camera bag duty. The size is clearly set up for travel and kit drawers (pen length is given as 11.5 cm, and the cleaning tip diameter is 1.3 cm), and the “ready to use” screw-closure concept is meant to remove fiddly steps.

That said, it may not suit every situation. If you’re dealing with heavier contamination—like stubborn residues that need deeper cleaning beyond dust, grease, or fingerprints—the pen approach may feel limited compared with more thorough cleaning kits. It’s also only as good as your technique: with any optical cleaner, pressing too hard or using the wrong order can still leave marks or streaks.

Keep in mind that the velvet stage relies on the described fibre action and carbon powder binding/dissolving grease, if you prefer fully liquid-based cleaning workflows, this may not match your style.

Tech summary

Name: Hama Cleaning Pen | For Camera Lens and Filter Cleaning Type: lens and filter cleaning pen Size: pen length 11.5 cm Tip diameter: 1.3 cm

The design uses a retractable soft lens brush for preliminary cleaning and a curved velvet surface with special fibres for removing streaks. Automatic activation is triggered by the screw closure.

Mini FAQ

Is it only for camera lenses, or can it clean filters too?

It’s described for optical surfaces especially camera lenses and filters, so yes—filters are part of the intended use.

Does it use liquid cleaning?

The description focuses on dry cleaning steps, with the brush being retracted for protection and the velvet fibre stage activated via the screw closure. It’s framed as avoiding liquid drying out.

How quickly can you start using it?

It’s designed to be immediately ready for use because the screw closure ensures automatic activation of the velvety surface.

What kind of dirt does it target?

The cleaning process is aimed at dust, grease stains, fingerprints, and other dirt, including streak removal.

Is it worth it?

It’s worth buying the Hama Cleaning Pen if you want a compact, everyday tool for keeping your lens and filters in decent shape between shoots. The staged brush-then-velvet approach, the automatic activation, and the retractable brush all make sense for real camera-bag use, where speed and gentle handling matter.

You may want to skip it if you’re expecting a “deep clean” solution for severe contamination, or if your preferred cleaning method is built around liquid products rather than a dry, fibre-based approach. It also pays to be mindful of technique: start with the brush for loose particles, then use the velvet stage for smears and streaks.

If you’re the sort of buyer who looks for practical accessories that reduce faff, this is a straightforward pick for lens care on the move.