can I use alcohol to clean lenses?

[manteiv]

I acquired a used DSLR for next to nothing. The camera and lens needs a good clean up. Blowing air is not enough because the dust is sticky.

How can I clean the smudge, fingerprints and dust from the lenses and viewfinder? I was thinking of using alcohol diluted in water but will it harm the lens anti-reflective coating that manufacturers put on the lens?

Also, what kind of cloth do you use? I think using Kleenex and Qtips will likely leave some residual fibers and dust.

[jayt90]

Get a Lenspen at a camera store or on line. It will clean the glass safely at low cost.
http://www.lenspen.com/?resultType=category&params=9&tpid=0&tpid=323

[JPTN]

Go to an optical store and buy some lens cleaning fluid. It's designed to not damage coatings.

Or invest in a kit such as: http://www.henrys.com/61645-OPTEX-DIGITAL-CAMERA-CLEANING-KIT.aspx

or

http://www.shaggymac.com/optimist-prime.html