Lens Filter Cleaning Question

[BruceUSA]

Hello All.

What is the correct way, right way or wrong way to clean the filter. I got a B+W 77mm Clear UV Haze filter 010M. I am thinking of a soft cloth and denture alcohol.

[Janke]

"Denture" alcohol... that sounds interesting...

Seriously, use a soft, lintless micro-fiber cloth (can be bought in photo or optician stores), and no solvent at all, just breathe a thin film of moisture onto the filter (if you're in a hot climate, put the filter in the fridge for 5 minutes, first, otherwise no moisture will condense).

Then, clean the filter with gentle pressure. Repeat if necessary.

Of course, if you've poured maple syrup on the filter, you may have to take more drastic action...

[BarteS]

Lenspen.

[cgbier]

Don't use alcohol! It'll kill your coating.

Janke, no fridge needed. Just take filter outside (if your room is air conditioned). I hate the tropics

[1]

I normally clean my lenses with a #160 (*) grit sand paper first (in order to get rid of the heavy soiling), then
some trichloroethane mixed with diesel fuel (50/50 mixture) to scrub the lens with a rag. Once clean, I submerge into a bowl of WD40 to prevent the screws from rusting,
and the focus rings from seizing up, then blow off the excessive liquid with my shop compressor.

Hasn't failed me yet.

* just to be safe, for "L" type Canon lenses, I use the finer #300 grit paper.

[Janke]

Don't use alcohol! It'll kill your coating.

Hasn't happened to me, yet. But I only use totally pure ethyl alcohol. (Actually 96% ethanol + 4% water...)

Janke, no fridge needed. Just take filter outside (if your room is air conditioned). I hate the tropics

I was thinking of the Arizona desert: BruceUSA...

[Dr. Benway]

I use generic lens cleaning fluid.

Two or three small drops into the centre of the filter - or onto the type of cloth Janke mentioned if you're worried about fluid getting between the glass and ring.

Then I use the cloth to clean the filter in gentle circles - paying close attention to the outer edges of the filter where fluid and/or lint can collect.

Clean both sides of the filter being careful not to touch it and then generous use of lens cleaning tissues to remove any excess/residue of fluid or oils. An tissue or two is bunched up and used to firmly swipe around the edge of the filter get rid of any junk that may have collected under/on the filter ring.

Check the filter for smears by tilting it in the light and if it passes inspection screw it onto a lens or put it back into its plastic case.

[Bif]

Lenspen.

The only way this should be used is to lightly brush away any loose dust or particles prior to cleaning gently with lint free cloth or microfibre cloth.

The lenspen contaminates too easily and may intoduce more contaminants than it picks up or brushes away.

[Bif]

Don't use alcohol! It'll kill your coating.

If used it should not be applied directly on the filter or lens surface. One or two drops applied to a clean lint free cloth then used to remove stubborn greasy fingerprints should do no harm.

The latest (and best) products introduced are first - microfibre cloth which can be washed and reused.

Second - Eclipse cleaning fluid (about as pure alcohol as is possible) used with lint free PecPads.

The fluid and PecPads are available here: http://www.photosol.com/store/pc/home.asp

Most of the time I use Janke's method: Moisture from breath and gentle cleaning with microfibre cloth (after using the edge of the cloth to gently brush away any particles.

Once my son brought in a lens (with no filter) that someone he was on a shoot with had managed to cover most of the front surface with really greasy fingerprints. A few drops of Eclipse on a PecPad got it all off safely, followed up with gentle wiping with a second clean PecPad. The whole procedure took less than two minutes.

Really handy stuff to keep on hand.

[MrMicah]

I normally clean my lenses with a #160 (*) grit sand paper first (in order to get rid of the heavy soiling), then
some trichloroethane mixed with diesel fuel (50/50 mixture) to scrub the lens with a rag. Once clean, I submerge into a bowl of WD40 to prevent the screws from rusting,
and the focus rings from seizing up, then blow off the excessive liquid with my shop compressor.

Hasn't failed me yet.

* just to be safe, for "L" type Canon lenses, I use the finer #300 grit paper.

Thanks. I now have a series of unique industrial soft focus lenses for my camera. I'll be looking for premium bids for these hand-crafted products in the trade and exchange section.

[BarteS]

The only way this should be used is to lightly brush away any loose dust or particles prior to cleaning gently with lint free cloth or microfibre cloth.

The lenspen contaminates too easily and may intoduce more contaminants than it picks up or brushes away.

Have you ever used a lenspen? The carbon side is very efficient at removing fingerprints and other contaminants.
Regarding contamination, the same can happen to cloths. You should keep them save too. It's just a preference. Personally I prefer a lenspen as I consider it to be less cumbersome to use and still keep it from catching dust and particles (with sand being the worst of them all).

[Bif]

Have you ever used a lenspen? The carbon side is very efficient at removing fingerprints and other contaminants.

I guess the ones I've seen were old design. A retractable brush and nothing on the other end.

I was real glad to see lens tissue be replaced by microfiber cloths. Washed frequently and packed in small ziplock bags to carry in the camera bag, those stay clean.

Regarding contamination, the same can happen to cloths. You should keep them save too. It's just a preference. Personally I prefer a lenspen as I consider it to be less cumbersome to use and still keep it from catching dust and particles (with sand being the worst of them all).

The method I like best is the PecPads and Eclipse fluid. I get the pads in 100 count bags (ziplock closure) for $9.95 and I haven't even "dented" the current supply. These pads are totally clean and lint free as they come out of the bag.

You're right about particles (and sand), any cleaning method can do damage if you don't get the loose stuff off the surface before doing any serious cleaning of stuff like fingerprints.

Bruce Foreman

[cgbier]

Thanks. I now have a series of unique industrial soft focus lenses for my camera. I'll be looking for premium bids for these hand-crafted products in the trade and exchange section.

You know how much these S/F lenses go for? Be glad to have one now

[cgbier]

Bid, i got the alcohol prohibition from a lens manual. Can't remember which brand.

[MrMicah]

You know how much these S/F lenses go for? Be glad to have one now

Well I put it them on eBay and they were snapped up in seconds for my full 'buy it now' price.

[Janke]

You know how much these S/F lenses go for?

Oh, yes:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-Thamba...item1c1de5840d

(My own is not for sale... but then I don't have all those accessories, either.)

[1]

Thanks. I now have a series of unique industrial soft focus lenses for my camera.

You must have not followed my instructions correctly!

I said: "Use a soft, lintless micro-fiber cloth, and no solvent at all, just breathe a thin film of moisture onto the filter."

Which part of that didn't you understand????

[Playing]

just breathe a thin film of moisture

But they say: No Alcohol.

[Dr. Benway]

But they say: No Alcohol.

True. I find coughing rather than breathing to be better - especially after a pizza or quesadilla.

[1]

quesadilla

Great! Now I'm hungry....

[Janke]

... right now, as soon as they're cooked, I'm going to have some meatballs:

[Simmy_M]

There are some useful tips to clean your delicate camera lenses :

1) Blow away any dust particles or debris from the filter with a bulb blower or similar device, which you can get from your local camera shop or electronics retailer.
2) Gently wipe the clean surface using a microfiber cloth or any lens-friendly substitute.
3) Moisten your cloth with a very small amount of water or a lens cleaner specifically approved by your brand of filter.
4) Continue to gently wipe the filter clean with the moistened cloth until most of the dust and/or smudges have disappeared.
5) Wipe away any remaining dust and/or smudges using a cleaning pen.

There are some tools like air blower, camel hair brush, micro fiber cloth and methyl alcohol by which you can clean lenses.