I have a couple of Hoya filters pro1 digital PL & a HMC filter nd 400 .
am finding it very difficult to clean these filters. The instructions on the packs say only use a soft cotton cloth ( lens cloth) is it just me but the filters just never look clean, no matter how long you rub the cloth over them they a;ways seem to have an oily film over the surface, which i presume is the coating.
Today the HMC filter got a couple of tiny splashes of water & these marks just will not come off they just move around the filter .
So has anyone got any tips on cleaning filters safely without damaging them, or am i worrying over nothing , does it matter that these oily streaks are visible to my eye , will the camera lens pick these marks up ?
Do not use household alcohol or any alcohol. Even eyeglass cleaing solution should not be used. Use the micro fiberc cloth but do not grind the dirt into the filter. Use a the soft bursh that also blows air. I know this is a lot don'ts, but I agree that you do not to ruin the filter.
@chapjohn Thanks John , I understand the dont's & have not used anything on the filters, but wondered if anyone had the same issuies re cleaning & any tips , do you find the filter looks smeared even after cleaning is this normal ?
@steveh - Hi Steve, I have a Kenko Polarising filter and I agree. It kinda looks like the surface is still pretty messy after cleaning it with a lens cloth, but I have not noticed any detriment to end results...
I have used this product occasionally on my filters and lenses, with as far as I can see, no problem. I don't have many Hoya filters, so I can't say for sure if I have used it on them. Usually, I just breathe on them and use a dry cloth, but use this cleaner for fingerprints or oily looking residue. http://www.2filter.com/2filterproducts/2filtercleaningkit.html
@steveh I have six Hoya filters, and while they are great, they are a pain to clean due to the coatings. I use a rocket blower first, if that does not work, a lenspen and finally, if all else fails, a microfiber lens cleaning cloth. The lenspen gets then clean 9 out of 10 times.
uh oh... i've been using papertowel with a drop of water... i figured it would be ok on the assumption that the drops that have gotten on the filters during water shots haven't hurt them any... i do have one of those microfiber cloths but it doesn't seem to do a thing! just smears dirt around even more...
@northy Looks like we are all suffering in the same way northy , I Am now thinking the smears don't matter too much as everyone seems to suffer them , i wonder why the manufactories dont post advice on there websites
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am finding it very difficult to clean these filters. The instructions on the packs say only use a soft cotton cloth ( lens cloth) is it just me but the filters just never look clean, no matter how long you rub the cloth over them they a;ways seem to have an oily film over the surface, which i presume is the coating.
Today the HMC filter got a couple of tiny splashes of water & these marks just will not come off they just move around the filter .
So has anyone got any tips on cleaning filters safely without damaging them, or am i worrying over nothing , does it matter that these oily streaks are visible to my eye , will the camera lens pick these marks up ?
any advice please 365