Cleaning UV Filter

[mattyb240]

I know I know something that has probably been beaten to death,

Heres the thing, I am a newbie, and before my recent tamron lens I have only used a cheap hoya filter to protect my kit lens. This was never a problem cleaning, however I have bought a used but excellent condition Hoya HMC(67mm) filter. This is my first multi-coated filter and its a bugger to keep clean, it seems to attract dust. When there is a smudge or anything like that and I try and use my lens pen it still appears to leave smears (not visible on images) but I know they are there.

I have ran out of IPA fluid and lens tissues, but is this the only real way to clean them?

Thanks (rant over)

[summerwind4]

yours is not a rant, but a fact of life when cleaning Hoya UV MC's..........i had at one time bought a Hoya for all the L glass i had, and then i went onto buy backup 77mm Hoays so i wouldn't have to clean them.......i know, very expensive, but it was a hobby to me at that time. i finally did what a fellow photographer does and that is to wash them directly under a faucet. one drop of Dawn, swirled around with a soft cloth and then rinse and blow dry.........no more smears.........still a pain in the butt though. having just got back into this as a pro photographer this time around, i bought B+W filters, and will only use them when conditions warrant. they are a bit more money, but much easier to clean.
i wish i could tell you that there is an easier way, but the tip my friend passed onto me was the only one that worked.

[Jon]

Or go the B+W route. Actually, a LensPen, carefully used, may give better results than the wet methods.

[adrian5127]

Can anyone offer any alternatives to Dawn as you can't get it this side of the pond:(

[ed rader]

Can anyone offer any alternatives to Dawn as you can't get it this side of the pond:(


any dish soap should work....on this side of the pond Dawn is thought to be the ultimate safe degreaser because it is used for cleaning birds involved in oil spills :D.

ed rader

[Nicholas R.]

Can anyone offer any alternatives to Dawn as you can't get it this side of the pond:(

Formula-MC, designed specifically for multi-coated filters. One drop will leave your glass sparkling like a diamond.

Nicholas
www.copperhillimages.com (http://www.copperhillimages.com)

[jeromego]

Or go the B+W route. Actually, a LensPen, carefully used, may give better results than the wet methods.
jon, what do you mean when you say carefully used?

[mattyb240]

I will have a look, but I have had no real success with my lens pen it is still visible when you hold it against the light.

Maybe I will try some washing up liquid as I have had to use them as degreasers before, it just seems like a pain in the backside everytime something gets on it.

Thanks for the advice though, if anyone has anything else to add please do!

[Saint728]

I use Canon filters and they are also hard to keep clean. I used the wet method and it didn't work very well. I bought the Lenspen ProPak II Cleaning Kit, Model: PPK-2 and tried it on the filters and it came out so clean they looked like they were brand new again. So easy to use and it takes only a minute to clean the inside and outside of the filter.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/504350-REG/Lenspen_LENPPK2_ProPak_II_Cleaning_Kit_.html

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

[summerwind4]

I use Canon filters and they are also hard to keep clean. I used the wet method and it didn't work very well. I bought the Lenspen ProPak II Cleaning Kit, Model: PPK-2 and tried it on the filters and it came out so clean they looked like they were brand new again. So easy to use and it takes only a minute to clean the inside and outside of the filter.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/504350-REG/Lenspen_LENPPK2_ProPak_II_Cleaning_Kit_.html

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick


one thing about Canon filters, you'd be better off not using a filter at all.........they are the poorest quality ever.
most likely made by Tiffen which finished dead last in this test,
http://www.lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test_Introduction.html

inferior glass to boot, which is why you had a hard time cleaning in the conventional manner.

[Saint728]

one thing about Canon filters, you'd be better off not using a filter at all.........they are the poorest quality ever.
most likely made by Tiffen which finished dead last in this test,
http://www.lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test_Introduction.html

inferior glass to boot, which is why you had a hard time cleaning in the conventional manner.

You probably buy the cheap Canon filters and they are not made by Tiffen. Canon filters are made in three different Countries, Japan, USA, and Philippines.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

[summerwind4]

nope, i wouldn't buy any Canon filters..........they're all cheapo's

B+W and Hoya........why compromise with something that is sitting in front of my expensive glass when i do use them.............

[Saint728]

nope, i wouldn't buy any Canon filters..........they're all cheapo's

B+W and Hoya........why compromise with something that is sitting in front of my expensive glass when i do use them.............

Why do you start sh_t for? This thread isn't about which filter is better, its about cleaning UV filters. Your 53 years old and act like a 5 year old, grow up.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

[tgara]

I'm surprised nobody has suggested microfiber cloths yet. To clean my lenses and filters, I spray a little alcohol-based glass cleaner (not Windex!) on a fresh microfiber towel and wipe. All smudges are gone, and no streaks. I use Stoner's Invisible Glass to detail my cars, and it works great on the camera lenses.

[mattyb240]

Thanks I will have to have a re-think about how i clean them when I get some money. But it definately is troublesome compared to my more basic hoya UV filter.

[adrian5127]

I have just ordered some formula MC so hopefully that will do the trick. Till it arrives I have some stuff I have from the optician for my glassess and that works. Glasses are multi coated and can be difficult to clean. Bit of a shirt does not do the trick any more.

It only costs a few quid/dollars

[Jon]

Why do you start sh_t for? This thread isn't about which filter is better, its about cleaning UV filters. Your 53 years old and act like a 5 year old, grow up.

Take Care,
Cheers, PatrickFor the record, Canon filters bought in the USA are the same quality as Tiffen filters, which is very poor. That they're made by Tiffen is a long and widely-held belief, which (understandably) neither company would confirm or deny. This has been discovered repeatedly and independently by many photographers, all of whom have put aside their Canon and Tiffen filters for more appropriate uses, such as drinks coasters. They are not assets to your photography. Suggesting that someone abandon using Canon/Tiffen filters in favour of a quality brand is a public service, not an attempt to start something. I suggest you need to learn to moderate your tone, at the least. You may not like the message, but the evidence is clear, and it does not support your position.

[mattyb240]

Well I am looking at some fluid and a microfibre cloth? Would this be appropriate?

Any fluid in particular? Maybe not even a brand but the name of the liquid that is actually used?

I am currently looking at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pads-10cm-Pack-Wipes-Filters/dp/B0001M6K24/ref=pd_bxgy_ce_img_b

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photographic-solutions-Eclipse-Filter-Cleaning/dp/B0000AUR1I/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1244476111&sr=1-11