Filter cleaning solutions and methods?

Killerbob

Hi,

I pretty exclusively use Hoya Pro1 Digital filters, I know them and know how to affect my lenses, and I have UV, CIR. POL, and ND. Most in 77mm, with a few exceptions.

One thing that I have been "blessed" with is the capability to put fingerprints on my filters, and my post-photography workflow includes a cleaning session of sorts. I use filter pens, the ones with carbon in one end, and a brush in the other end. For the really touch cleaning I have a microfiber/nano-cloth.

However, I find that there is a sort of film that I sometimes end up smearing on the filter, which makes it very hard to get them entirely clean. For these situations, is there a solution anyone can suggest I use? I think the Hoya filters are coated, and I can't help wonder how much this coating can actually take?

John

The film that you see is probably a combination of organic particles (pollen,...), dust, air polution and/or grease (if you touched it with your fingers).
A cleaning cloth has fibers to absorb some of these materials but some will remain. In that case you need a cleaning solution as you suggested.
I use two types:
- a lens cleaning solution made by Hama
- a cleaning solution for glasses (made by Pearl Vision)
Both work wonders in keeping my B+W filters clean.
I clean them in 3 steps:
First I use a blower to remove as much dust as I can
Then I apply a small amount of cleaning liquid directly on the filter (you can always add more so start of with only a drop or two). I rub the solution all over the filter with a lens cloth until all the liquid is gone.
Finally, I give the filter a final light polish with another (dry) lens cloth. This is done yo remove any remaining streaks.

I haven't used Hoya filters myself but most coatings on high quality, expensive filters can take a lot.
So, don't worry to much about it. Just clean whenever you think it's needed.
It's better to have a filter finally fail after hundreds or thousands of cleanings then to have soft images due to a dirty filter.
(And it's likely that the filter will outlive you, even if you use and clean it every day)

One small point to stress: always blow away the dust first before starting to clean.
Some small sand particles are extremely hard and can scratch a filter or lens.
(more expensive filter with resistant coatings tend to be less likely to get scratched but better safe then sorry)

Golf007sd

To use Hoya HD filters on all me lenses. I have been very pleased with their performance. For cleaning I use Zeiss Lens Cleanning Wipes. They are great to use to clean the filters off first and the follow it by a nice clean micro-fiber cloth.

I totally agree with John in first blowing any dust off with a blower and then begin the cleaning process.

Lastly, small amounts of finger prints will not show up on a given shot because the distance to the front element is so close that the sensor will never pick it up.

Alfonso

I use Purosol Optical leans cleaner. It works Ok. Here a product description

Purosol Optical was originally developed for NASA and the US military for use on high-end multi-coated optics. Combining the power of organic plant extracts and state-of-the-art green chemistry, it is the world’s most advanced cleaning solution. Taking its cleaning power from nature itself, Purosol Optical is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, nonflammable, sterile and completely biodegradable. It is CFC-free, VOC-free and exceeds EPA and OSHA health and safety standards, as well as exceeding standards set for the EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, and other countries worldwide


Saludos

Alfonso

sideways

To use Hoya HD filters on all me lenses. I have been very pleased with their performance. For cleaning I use Zeiss Lens Cleanning Wipes.

+1

I also bought a boxful of the Zeiss wipes after reading recommendations and they're great for removing whatever a lenspen cannot touch. You get to have sparkling clean spectacles too :-)

RenardRichie13

I do this to clean my lenses and filter.

Eclipse Pad and solution.

I know its for sensor but it hasn't fail me yet.

I top it off blowing the area with Koh hepa filter air blower then put the cap on.
http://www.kohglobal.com/JetAir.html

Ironheart

I use 1oz (30ml) of a 40% Ethanol solution and a clean microfiber cloth. Drink the ethanol, breathe on the filter and rub with the cloth. Repeat as necessary. I'm happy even if the filter is still dirty.