Cleaning your UV filter?

LeDave · 07-09-2009, 04:19 PM

I bought my Hoya 52mm S-HMC UV filter for 21 bucks and now it has weird small scratches on it when I try to wipe it with a microfibre cloth. What's the correct way to clean it?

wlachan · 07-09-2009, 04:25 PM

The quality of microfibra cloths can vary quite a lot. Some do well when dampened, some not. The key is to never wipe MC with dry tissue or cloth. I have a Sweden made microfibra cloth that I purchased in HK for less than US$2 but it does wonder when dampened. But I also have some 3M microfibra cloths that is a dust magnet and great for household, but horrible for MC lens cleaning. Traditionally any HOYA MC filters are a xxxxx to clean with conventional methods, but is still possible to be cleaned as new when you found the right methods.

LeDave · 07-11-2009, 01:58 AM

I tried dampening my microfibre cloth and it made weird streak smudges and I can't get them off =/ I might have to buy a new UV filter, and hopefully this time it's something that can easily be cleaned. I think I destroyed my Hoya S-HMC UV filter by now, I don't even know if I scratched it because I don't know what a scratched UV filter looks like! I don't think it's scratched... Atleast, but I think I destroyed it somehow. The smudges are terrible.

billtin59 · 07-11-2009, 05:35 AM

You should never use anything on your lenses and filters other than lens tissue and cleaning solution made specifically for this purpose. Microfiber cloths trap dirt and dust which will scratch your glass even if used wet.

wlachan · 07-11-2009, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by billtin59

You should never use anything on your lenses and filters other than lens tissue and cleaning solution made specifically for this purpose. Microfiber cloths trap dirt and dust which will scratch your glass even if used wet.

BS.

pbo · 07-11-2009, 07:11 PM

Give Lenspen a try

I've used one already, now on my second one, and it serves its purpose very well! There's a brush on ones side specially for dust, and a "wiper" on the other side - to clean the surface from smudges, fingerprints, etc.

Duck Dodgers · 07-11-2009, 08:49 PM

The activated carcoal in a LensPen should work, or there's the old stand-by...hop over to Wal-Mart and buy some Zeiss pre-moistened lens "cloths" (actually tissue) in the optical department. They work fine.

And if you can't trust Zeiss, who can you trust?

Damn Brit · 07-11-2009, 10:34 PM

Originally posted by LeDave

I tried dampening my microfibre cloth and it made weird streak smudges and I can't get them off =/ I might have to buy a new UV filter, and hopefully this time it's something that can easily be cleaned. I think I destroyed my Hoya S-HMC UV filter by now, I don't even know if I scratched it because I don't know what a scratched UV filter looks like! I don't think it's scratched... Atleast, but I think I destroyed it somehow. The smudges are terrible.

Try licking it, then wiping it clean. That may sound gross and unconventional, but it works for me. I've done it on DVD's that wouldn't load, CD's, expensive sunglasses and yes, filters.

pbo · 07-11-2009, 11:30 PM

Quote:

The activated carcoal in a LensPen should work, or there's the old stand-by...hop over to Wal-Mart and buy some Zeiss pre-moistened lens "cloths" (actually tissue) in the optical department. They work fine.

And if you can't trust Zeiss, who can you trust?

I tried those once, and I will stay away from them

I don't know if it was just one box defective or something, but it really was not so good - or I just don' know how to use it - it left stains after vaporizing - like the ones that stay on your window after you wipe them.

Andi Lo · 07-12-2009, 02:35 AM

I find that lenspens work really well for Hoya filters. They're still a pain to clean no matter what but the Lenspens do it the easiest

skamalpreet · 07-21-2009, 12:33 AM

It actually is a big pain to clean the Hoya SMC filters...I however use the traditional approach to cleaning lenses/filters of exhaling on it and wiping it with as soft a cloth as possible like my vest :0) or a well usedhandkerchief...it is crude but it sure does the job.....problem is removing the lint which still sticks to the filter (but strangely not to the lens)..still figuring out a way to get rid of that...

KP
K200, DA18-250mm

CWyatt · 07-21-2009, 07:03 PM

I've used micro-fibre cloths a lot and never had a problem with them.

Quote:

I tried dampening my microfibre cloth and it made weird streak smudges and I can't get them off =/

If it starts leaving streaks, it has built up oil and needs a clean. I just wash mine in the washing machine by themselves with a small amount of powder. Make sure they're thoroughly rinsed. Let them air dry. Then good as new. I think they need to be replaced every now and then but I've had one for a few years that works fine. It's just a standard micro-fibre cloth I bought from a camera shop.

I've also read that marks on the front element/filter that appear serious can often have no affect at all on images, so see how it goes.

mischivo · 07-21-2009, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by LeDave

I bought my Hoya 52mm S-HMC UV filter for 21 bucks and now it has weird small scratches on it when I try to wipe it with a microfibre cloth. What's the correct way to clean it?

May I asked who conned you into buying a UV filter and why you fell for it?

To address your question: use a microfibre cloth. No need for huffing and puffing onto the glass or using cleaning solutions or blowers (unless you've got grains of sand on the glass). Microfibre works, it's simple, and it's cheap.

CWyatt · 07-21-2009, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by mischivo

May I asked who conned you into buying a UV filter and why you fell for it?

If your shooting environment requires the protection, why not?

mischivo · 07-21-2009, 09:21 PM

Originally posted by CWyatt

If your shooting environment requires the protection, why not?

Protection from what, UV rays?

07-09-2009, 04:19 PM	#1
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Cleaning your UV filter? I bought my Hoya 52mm S-HMC UV filter for 21 bucks and now it has weird small scratches on it when I try to wipe it with a microfibre cloth. What's the correct way to clean it?

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07-09-2009, 04:25 PM	#2
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	The quality of microfibra cloths can vary quite a lot. Some do well when dampened, some not. The key is to never wipe MC with dry tissue or cloth. I have a Sweden made microfibra cloth that I purchased in HK for less than US$2 but it does wonder when dampened. But I also have some 3M microfibra cloths that is a dust magnet and great for household, but horrible for MC lens cleaning. Traditionally any HOYA MC filters are a xxxxx to clean with conventional methods, but is still possible to be cleaned as new when you found the right methods.

07-11-2009, 01:58 AM	#3
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067 Original Poster	I tried dampening my microfibre cloth and it made weird streak smudges and I can't get them off =/ I might have to buy a new UV filter, and hopefully this time it's something that can easily be cleaned. I think I destroyed my Hoya S-HMC UV filter by now, I don't even know if I scratched it because I don't know what a scratched UV filter looks like! I don't think it's scratched... Atleast, but I think I destroyed it somehow. The smudges are terrible.

07-11-2009, 05:35 AM	#4
billtin59 Banned Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Massachusetts, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 84	You should never use anything on your lenses and filters other than lens tissue and cleaning solution made specifically for this purpose. Microfiber cloths trap dirt and dust which will scratch your glass even if used wet.

07-11-2009, 01:46 PM	#5
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Originally posted by billtin59 You should never use anything on your lenses and filters other than lens tissue and cleaning solution made specifically for this purpose. Microfiber cloths trap dirt and dust which will scratch your glass even if used wet. BS.

07-11-2009, 07:11 PM	#6
pbo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 891	Give Lenspen a try I've used one already, now on my second one, and it serves its purpose very well! There's a brush on ones side specially for dust, and a "wiper" on the other side - to clean the surface from smudges, fingerprints, etc.

07-11-2009, 08:49 PM	#7
Duck Dodgers Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: in the 24½th Century! Photos: Gallery Posts: 439	The activated carcoal in a LensPen should work, or there's the old stand-by...hop over to Wal-Mart and buy some Zeiss pre-moistened lens "cloths" (actually tissue) in the optical department. They work fine. And if you can't trust Zeiss, who can you trust?

07-11-2009, 10:34 PM	#8
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by LeDave I tried dampening my microfibre cloth and it made weird streak smudges and I can't get them off =/ I might have to buy a new UV filter, and hopefully this time it's something that can easily be cleaned. I think I destroyed my Hoya S-HMC UV filter by now, I don't even know if I scratched it because I don't know what a scratched UV filter looks like! I don't think it's scratched... Atleast, but I think I destroyed it somehow. The smudges are terrible. Try licking it, then wiping it clean. That may sound gross and unconventional, but it works for me. I've done it on DVD's that wouldn't load, CD's, expensive sunglasses and yes, filters.

07-11-2009, 11:30 PM	#9
pbo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 891	Quote: The activated carcoal in a LensPen should work, or there's the old stand-by...hop over to Wal-Mart and buy some Zeiss pre-moistened lens "cloths" (actually tissue) in the optical department. They work fine. And if you can't trust Zeiss, who can you trust? I tried those once, and I will stay away from them I don't know if it was just one box defective or something, but it really was not so good - or I just don' know how to use it - it left stains after vaporizing - like the ones that stay on your window after you wipe them.

07-12-2009, 02:35 AM	#10
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	I find that lenspens work really well for Hoya filters. They're still a pain to clean no matter what but the Lenspens do it the easiest

07-21-2009, 12:33 AM	#11
skamalpreet Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 150	It actually is a big pain to clean the Hoya SMC filters...I however use the traditional approach to cleaning lenses/filters of exhaling on it and wiping it with as soft a cloth as possible like my vest :0) or a well usedhandkerchief...it is crude but it sure does the job.....problem is removing the lint which still sticks to the filter (but strangely not to the lens)..still figuring out a way to get rid of that... KP K200, DA18-250mm

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07-21-2009, 07:03 PM	#12
CWyatt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,291	I've used micro-fibre cloths a lot and never had a problem with them. Quote: I tried dampening my microfibre cloth and it made weird streak smudges and I can't get them off =/ If it starts leaving streaks, it has built up oil and needs a clean. I just wash mine in the washing machine by themselves with a small amount of powder. Make sure they're thoroughly rinsed. Let them air dry. Then good as new. I think they need to be replaced every now and then but I've had one for a few years that works fine. It's just a standard micro-fibre cloth I bought from a camera shop. I've also read that marks on the front element/filter that appear serious can often have no affect at all on images, so see how it goes.

07-21-2009, 09:07 PM	#13
mischivo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 397	Originally posted by LeDave I bought my Hoya 52mm S-HMC UV filter for 21 bucks and now it has weird small scratches on it when I try to wipe it with a microfibre cloth. What's the correct way to clean it? May I asked who conned you into buying a UV filter and why you fell for it? To address your question: use a microfibre cloth. No need for huffing and puffing onto the glass or using cleaning solutions or blowers (unless you've got grains of sand on the glass). Microfibre works, it's simple, and it's cheap.

07-21-2009, 09:19 PM	#14
CWyatt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,291	Originally posted by mischivo May I asked who conned you into buying a UV filter and why you fell for it? If your shooting environment requires the protection, why not?

07-21-2009, 09:21 PM	#15
mischivo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 397	Originally posted by CWyatt If your shooting environment requires the protection, why not? Protection from what, UV rays?