Recently my photos have looked as if taken through a dirty lens, and looking at the lens today confirmed that it is a bit dirty. My camera is a Panasonic DMC FZ28.

I am in Evolène, some distance from Sion and the Rhône valley, and we have a pharmacy in the village. Would eyeglass lens cleaning tissue be safe to use on my camera lens?

If not, what would you recommend? I will obviously make the trip to civilization if needed!

Many thanks!

Is it possible to post a picture showing why you think this is being caused by the lens. The reason I ask is that unless the lens is absolutely filthy, or serious scratched/cracked, then at normal apertures it's not likely to be the front element of the lens that's causing the problems.

Edit: Just seen that it's a compact, and a dirty front element is more likely to make a difference here. A clean eyeglass cloth would be suitable to clean the lens, and for stubbon grease on the lens I occassionally breathe on the lens and then wipe it clean (it's not advisable to do this too often as the condensation formed by breathing on the lens contains acids which can erode the coatings on the lens)

__________________
...allegedly.

You can use Lens Cleaning Fluid: It is an alcohol based lens cleaning fluid – but it’s not alcohol. It is a special liquid which does not leave any residue on the surface. It should be available in most of the camera stores...If you suspect some kind of greasy substance, take the lens cleaning fluid on a microfiber cloth and wipe the lens gently in circular motion. Do not put the fluid on the lens directly. Also, do not use access amount of fluid...
Enjoy photography All the best...

Only use 'paper' lens tissues & only touch the lens once with the tissue, then throw away the tissue. Never use a cloth as it may have dirt which will scratch the coatings.

You're right of course, but taken in perspective this is a compact camera, not 10 grands worth of 500mm . A clean eyeglass cloth should be fine for occasional use on this camera.

More than likely, it's greasy fingerprints affecting the images if you find the blurring on all images. If it is a kind of fogging on some images, it is likely dust catching light rays at an angle.

Mineral dust will scratch, so blow off the front element first, preferably with a bulb-blower, before attempting to clean with a moistened lens cloth. Organic dust, fibers or hairs are less likely to scratch. In any case, apply light pressure, don't rub.

If it is a relatively new camera, the front element coatings are usually well hardened and will not be damaged so easily, though excess cleaning will micro-scratch, fogging the front element over time.

The best tool that I've found for cleaning lenses is a Lens Pen. I don't know if they are sold in Europe but in North America they are fantastic. It's a little black pen with a carbon brush on one side and a black velvet pad on the other side. Brush for dirt and the velvet has some awesome material that takes all grease and blemishes off the lens. Works great.

I use a rocket blower first and then I have a cloth, which comes out of its plastic holder, and when done, goes back in. I try to touch the lenses with nothing but naturally it happens with fingers sometimes! I don't think the cost of the lens or compact changes this at all. It is an expensive hobby - like most hobbies! I tried the "Lens Pen", but one day I touched the lens with the velvet pad, and some of the pad came off onto the lens! Instantly through the Pen in the Bin.

For your personal amusement...

http://www.kurtmunger.com/dirty_lens_articleid35.html

I read this sentence on the homepage of this forum (out of context) and man do you sound like a kinky bugger

I agree with this. I use a blower and if necessary a microfibre cloth bought from the opticians. I have never had any success myself with the Lens Pens either but I suppose it depends on what you have stuck to your lens. I don't personally breathe on the lens because I don't want any moist bacteria getting inside and causing mould.