How often do you clean your lens/lens filter?

[zozzcyx]

Hi fellow photographers, this question struck me as I was attempting to get a shot of the merlion while a gust blown my way and water went all over my filter. I just cleaned my filter after the previous shoot and I wonder will the coating of the filter be diminished after cleaning or rubbing after a period of time? With that in mind, how often do you clean your lens/lens filter in order to preserve the best optical quality of your lens? I do not really know how to maintain my filter and some tips would be useful, thanks!

 

[Dream Merchant]

Salt water?

Wipe immediately or after get home and air or blow dry.

As for filters, as long as they're clean enough to not affect the photo, I'm OK. Excessive and improper cleaning probably results in more scratches and damage that not cleaning enough.

 

[wdEvA]

hmm, when every i go near salt water area, I'll definately give my gears a good wipe with a damp cloth when I get home.

other than that, for normal shoots, i always blow the lens elements and clean of any marks on the glass with lens pen before keeping.

 

[Dream Merchant]

My choice is a chamois leather cloth. Don't get the inferior type or those used for cars. Mine's 'Kodak' brand but probably can get only on ebay these days.

If nothing much, just blow and brush. A bit of dirt or muck will probably not affect the filter.

If a bit more, blow, brush and use chamois.

If very jia lat, blow, brush lightly then wipe with Zeiss lens solution and non-coated microfiber. Then breath and wipe with chamois to remove deposit. Almost ALL lens solutions leave a deposit behind.

Cheers!

 

[zozzcyx]

Ok thanks guys for the tips!

 

[night86mare]

Hi fellow photographers, this question struck me as I was attempting to get a shot of the merlion while a gust blown my way and water went all over my filter. I just cleaned my filter after the previous shoot and I wonder will the coating of the filter be diminished after cleaning or rubbing after a period of time? With that in mind, how often do you clean your lens/lens filter in order to preserve the best optical quality of your lens? I do not really know how to maintain my filter and some tips would be useful, thanks!

the coating is not so easily damaged.

unless you're soaking the filter in thinner, and using sandpaper.

if you use the usual lens cleaning solution and a microfibre cloth meant for such things, and just wipe gently, and make sure that you blow off any loose dust/particles before moving the cloth gently across.... you definitely won't damage the filter.

i clean mine after every shoot. lens itself, maybe twice a month or when required.

 

[hotwork77]

the coating is not so easily damaged.

unless you're soaking the filter in thinner, and using sandpaper.

if you use the usual lens cleaning solution and a microfibre cloth meant for such things, and just wipe gently, and make sure that you blow off any loose dust/particles before moving the cloth gently across.... you definitely won't damage the filter.

i clean mine after every shoot. lens itself, maybe twice a month or when required.

I used to use IPA to clean lens filter especially those that have multi coat. After prolong wiping, the coating do actually come off but no big deal as it does not affect the picture too much or at least by my standard. For lenses, its just a blast of pure artic air or pure N2.

 

[night86mare]

I used to use IPA to clean lens filter especially those that have multi coat. After prolong wiping, the coating do actually come off but no big deal as it does not affect the picture too much or at least by my standard. For lenses, its just a blast of pure artic air or pure N2.

:sweat: come to think of it, i don't possess any multicoated filters right now.

previously, i had no trouble with IPA/equivalent and wiping though... what did happen was that the coating seemed to wear out because of overvigorous scrubbing with the cloth. :bsmilie:

 

[ErrikWong]

I use a zeiss optical lens cleaner (available at many spectacle stores) + microfibre cloth. It's a great way to get marks off the lens elements/filters, but as mentioned above, blowing off of any particles prior to application of lens cleaning fluid is the way to go.

I personally clean BEFORE and AFTER each outing.

 

[hotwork77]

:sweat: come to think of it, i don't possess any multicoated filters right now.

previously, i had no trouble with IPA/equivalent and wiping though... what did happen was that the coating seemed to wear out because of overvigorous scrubbing with the cloth. :bsmilie:

I used to indulge in 8mm film and later videos so multicoated filters was basically a carry over of my bad habits.

I'm still trying to wean myself away from using UV filter as I find it serves no real purpose other than supposedly protecting the lens or the occasional landscape photography back home during winter.

Yup I agree with you the multicoat do slowly wear off until it becomes botak here and there.

 

[Doctor Inferno]

I clean it when there is a few visible specs of dust on it.