How to clean a Multi Coated Filter properly.

[Gosu_John]

Hey guys,

After a trip back from Japan, I've noticed that my filters regardless whether its a UV or Circular Polariser has many fingerprints and specks on it. Possibly due to me accidentally touching it when turning the CP and when I got too near to a waterfall or when there was light rain.

Question is how do I clean these fingerprints and specks correctly?

I have no issue with dust. My dust blower takes care of the dust specks. Its these fingerprints that are a problem. I've bought a lens tissue from Japan to try to rectify the problem in the Japan hotel but it merely smudges the fingerprints and not completely removing it. I'm afraid if I rub harder it will scratch off the coating on the filter. The instruction on the back of the lens tissues states to use a lens cleaning solution to get rid of fingerprints but I've read online and asked some photographers that the cleaning solution has an abrasive effect on the coating and in the long run will ruin the filter.

How then to remove these fingerprints and moisture specks? I'm currently using a Nikon CP and Hoya UV filter guards.

Any help is more than appreciated.

[espn]

Use len pen.

[sofunny]

it is the same as clean non-multi coated filters.

do not forget to blow the dust off at first.

[Gosu_John]

Originally Posted by espn Use len pen.

Hi ESPN,

What system does the lens pen operate on? Does it have a in built lens cleaning solution in it? I would like to clarify on the issue of lens solution cleaning away the multi coating.

[espn]

The len pen has some sort of solution within the len cap, supposed to twist a bit to dampen the len pen head and use it to clean lenses or filters. From what I understand, the len pen is supposed to preserve & protect the coating than rubbing it away.

[Gosu_John]

Originally Posted by espn The len pen has some sort of solution within the len cap, supposed to twist a bit to dampen the len pen head and use it to clean lenses or filters. From what I understand, the len pen is supposed to preserve & protect the coating than rubbing it away.

Very interesting. Thank you for that information. Has anyone encountered a situation whereby using lens tissue to clear fingerprints has caused a rubbing away of the coating on the filter?

[marican]

i use lens soluton and lens tissue.
only once in a long while coz if u do it everyday, will wear away multi coat.
otherwise can use lens pen for small specks. or just leave it like that. shdnt affect image too much

[epia]

When I went to AP and asked for a lens pen, a sales person told me not to buy... (first time see salesman ask customer dun buy things)... cuz the lens pen will rub off the "Cloth-like" coating on the filter.. which is supposed to provide gap between lens and filter... if not glass scratch glass...... he say just use normal lens tissue.. dun even touch cleaning solution... in the end didnt buy ...

[james m]

Originally Posted by Gosu_John How then to remove these fingerprints and moisture specks? I'm currently using a Nikon CP and Hoya UV filter guards. Any help is more than appreciated.

use a micro fibre lens cloth and if needed to remove more stubborn dirt spots a bit of saliva.

[StreetShooter]

Use your breath to create a mist on the glass, and clean with a microfibre cloth. Most opticians give these away for free nowadays - just ask nicely. The breath will contain pure water vapour. Although I do it myself (on computer monitor) I would advise against using saliva, because it contains lots of enzymes and other stuff.

[HeWolf]

Originally Posted by james m use a micro fibre lens cloth and if needed to remove more stubborn dirt spots a bit of saliva.

Aiyoh, so dirty!

Actually that's what I've been doing too. But being a newbie, I always wonder if I'm the only one doing this, and if it would cause any harm to the glass.

[smallaperture]

Originally Posted by HeWolf Aiyoh, so dirty! Actually that's what I've been doing too. But being a newbie, I always wonder if I'm the only one doing this, and if it would cause any harm to the glass.

Definitely won't harm or damage to glass, but the multi-coating? Dun worry. If you do that once a month, you would have done it 120 times in 10 years. For those wearing spectacles with coating, washing and cleaning is a daily routine and it last 2 to 3 years. So, if your filter last you more than 10 years, is it inuf?

[XXX Boy]

I dun really clean my filter much. Just use a lens-cloth and wipe it...dun use solution unless it is too oily and dirty.

[Gosu_John]

Hey all, have since bought a lenspen and its able to get rid of the stuff I mentioned earlier so well that it is clear to the eye under bright light.

HOWEVER, if you were to hold the filter up against the light then you can see small groups of dust from the lenspen being deposited on the filter. However when viewed under the same light then its clear.

Not sure what this lenspen uses to clear the spots on my filter, it works but now small groups of particles are being desposited on my filter, not able to be seen my the eye under light but its there...

[Mav]

You can't possibly have a filter that is clean-room-spotless all the time. It's not feasible. I have a lens pen and it works (I have found that not all advise from salespersons are reliable, believable or logical. Do your own research) as far as I am concerned.

As far as getting rid of fingerprints:

a. I have found breath the best method if you do not have a solution at hand.
b. If you use a lens cloth, it must be washed clean all the time. Microfiber clothes trap too must dust and gets transfered back to the lens.
c. Window cleaner - anyone tried 'the clear blue'?

Still the ultimate cleaning solution: alcohol.

I find the B+W site gives you the best info on filter cleaning:
http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/...lter_cleaning/

[hammer_400]

Originally Posted by smallaperture Definitely won't harm or damage to glass, but the multi-coating? Dun worry. If you do that once a month, you would have done it 120 times in 10 years. For those wearing spectacles with coating, washing and cleaning is a daily routine and it last 2 to 3 years. So, if your filter last you more than 10 years, is it inuf?

exaxtly... filter not exactly veri expensive compared to other photography equipment.... y worri over a filter that dun realli costs alot ( unless u using b&w etc).. if after alot alot alot of cleaning the coating fades den get a new one... not worth worrying whether and how to clean...

[mportrait]

No problem with cleaning solution so far.

[Sushi]

well just last nite i took out all my 14 pieces of old 52mm hoya filter out while doing abit of spring cleaning... some oredi have tiny little fungus. wat i did was... rinse then under the tap & apply some detergent to a new soft sponge & started cleaning them.. one by one...
after soaping them..i just put all of them into a basic of water... then later just rinse them with clear water.
the rest is simply just use a new face towel to soak up alll the water & then slowly clean one by one with micro-fiber cloth. looks as good as new after cleaning.

may sounds crazy... but wat the heck.. its just hoya filters.


pls do not try this at home, i cos i dun wanna be responsible for any damage to ur filters.

[Ghostpipefish]

microfibre cloth is great. i use the 3M one. but really, any one will do. so severe oily type stains (like i touch my forehead then touch my lens), i use lens tissue and the lens solution which i think is just rubbing alcohol...so personally, i dun think alcohol will be abrasive.

if really really dirty, then i wash it with dish washing liquid.

but remember to dust off whatever particles like sand/dust BEFORE you clean with microfibre or lens tissue, the bits will just do tiny scratches.

other than that, don't sweat the small stuff, a small fingerprint or so doesn't really change anything! but if got a lot, yeah, irritates the hell out of me as well!

more importantly enjoy your shoots!

[KNIGHT ONG]

I used conventional method ... lens tissue .... add lens solution if necessary ..