Cleaning Filters

[Lagged2Death]

I'm trying to leave a lens adapter and UV filter on my G3 all the time, so I don't have to fiddle with the lens adapter or clean the lens ever again. But I can't seem to keep the UV filter clean. I've tried a microfiber cloth, lens cleaner fluid, lens cleaner fluid with the microfiber cloth, and lens cleaner fluid with old-fashioned lens paper. But the filter always looks as if it's covered with an oily film. Similar care for the camera's lens and polarizer (or for that matter, my glasses) leaves them perfectly clean. Am I doing something wrong? Any tips?

[cruzyn56]

I have had similar issues with UV filters. New, they are fine and look great... but get that first smudge on them and clean them with cleaning fluid and tissue. They look fine after the cleaning, but the next time I take the camera out and look at them in strong light there appears what looks like an oily film on them. So again out comes the tissue and cleaning fluid.

Sometimes I feel that the UV filter would still be great if it hadn't gotten smudged.

[rent]

this is what i do:

1) it's best to do this in a dust-free room. but since probably most of us don't have one of those in our houses, i use the bathroom, preferrably maybe 30 minutes after a shower, so there is some moisture there but not too much. the moisture keeps the dust in the air down to a minimum.

2) very gently brush off any dust or solid particles on the filter/lens, using a lens brush or tissue. no rubbing.

3) unless you have severe finger prints or smudges, you probably don't need cleaning liquid. just breath onto the filter/lens surface.

4) i prefer microfiber clothes, start from the outer rim, gently wipe the filter/lens in a circular motion towards the center, in one motion. when you get to the center, lift off the cloth in a lifting motion. this basically sweeps all the "dirt" to the center of the filter/lens, then you kinda "lift" it off.

5) repeat (3)-(4) using a **clean** section of the cloth each time.

it takes practice, so it's better to try this a few times on a junk filter before messing with the precious multicoated filters or L glasses (or any optical equipment for that matter).

btw, wash your microfiber clothes often. it's totally anti-productive to try cleaning a filter/lens with a used/dirty cloth.

good luck!

-alex