Filter Cleaning

SparkUK

SparkUK

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Chris
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I've recently noticed some blobs on my UV filter, they're not visible at all till you breathe on it gently but I'm damned if I can get rid of them, I'm usually ok with cleaning filters, 9 times out of 10 a gentle breathe and some perseverence with a microfibre cloth sorts them out but this one has me beaten, I even bought some cleaning solution from Calumet (http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/CQ1020/) but this won't shift it either. Any thoughts gent's? I do have some Eclipse sensor cleaning solution... is this safe to use on a filter? I try not to use anything if I can get away with it usually.
 
I'd use a lens pen - seems to shift most stuff.

Phil
 
Sounds like the coating might have come off :thinking:

I sometimes wash filters in warm soapy water, if they've got grease on them from a clumsy thumb print or something which can just get smeared about - not polarisers though, or you'll wash the lubricant out of the rings.
 
I thought it was something that had attacked the coating too.... Maybe an aerosol or something? I'm just glad it had a filter on it, it's only about three weeks old too that filter. :( I think I'll try it in the warm soapy water tomorrow. ANyone any idea about the sensor solution?
 
If the coating is coming off, which is not unheard of, it may be a manufacturing fault than an attack of something nasty. Coatings are usually pretty durable, but they don't like being rubbed or bashed against a metal zip or something.
 
I've had issues in the past with anti-reflective coatings on glasses coming off when I've been working in enviroments where there are chemicals etc but not so quick... I could try sending it back to WEX I suppose and see what they say.
 
The coatings are OK with cold water, warm or hot water causes them to misbehave and come off, according to my optician.:shrug:

Paul
 
Taztastic said:
The coatings are OK with cold water, warm or hot water causes them to misbehave and come off, according to my optician.:shrug:

Paul
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My glasses have plastic coated lenses and I have to say they're amazingly tough. Constantly rubbed against the camera's rubber eyecup and I sometimes wash them in the bath with a tooth brush! No probs at all.
 
HoppyUK said:
My glasses have plastic coated lenses and I have to say they're amazingly tough. Constantly rubbed against the camera's rubber eyecup and I sometimes wash them in the bath with a tooth brush! No probs at all.
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I've worked in quite a few workshops where they use solvents of one type or another and I've had every pair of glasses have the coating actually flake off, the next optician always says 'oh they weren't coated pproperly' then the next set does it. (this filter hasn't been near any of that stuff btw)
 
On the rare occasions that I clean my filters (I try to avoid doing so in so far as possible), I use an ultrasonic cleaning tank filled with water with a bit of washing up liquid, then rinse off thoroughly (I'm fortunate to live in an area of extremely soft water).
 
It could be a failure of the anti reflection coating.

Just to point out that washing up liquid can cause coatings to breakdown, i work in optics where we use identical coatings to camera lenses and we've discovered that some brands (usually the better ones) can degrade coatings big time.

Coating breakdown on glasses is actually quite rare and usually caused by improper cleaning or being left somewhere hot (the plastic lens expands under heat whereas the coating doesnt, this causes the coating to craze).
 
Interesting - what would you recommend instead? Dilute Citrus degreaser?
 
so far as lens cleaners go there are two types, spirit based and water based. sometimes one will remove a mark that the other one wouldnt. lens sprays from the optician are great for camera lenses, just get one thats suitable for coated lenses (not much difference, just less smeary).

If you can track it down Solution 30 is a really good spray, or specsavers coated lens spray is also good.

believe it or not a bit of meths does no hard to coatings at all.
 
That's interesting Cris, thanks for that (thanks for others replies too btw :) )
Is the Eclipse sensor cleaning fluid ok to try do you think?
I haven't tried cleaning it again yet, you can't see it in photos though I suspect it will cause some tendency to flare.
 
whats in that cleaner? I wouldnt of thought it'd be very harsh so I guess should be ok...

If you can post a pic of the marks I'll see what it might be (seen enough coating faliures in my time)!

If its not a coating breakdown try cleaning with a water based cleaner (normal lens sprays) and if that doesnt shift it try a bit of meths.
If you are midlands based I can have a look for you?
 
I'm going to take some pictures this afternoon/evening and I'll post them up, I'll do them before I try the Eclipse stuff on it. I'll see if I can find an old pair of specs with the coating all shot too.
 
I've done a few photos, obviously it's not the easiest thing to capture as it's only there with breath on it, could have put in the freezer for a bit I guess though. :)

5023582296_e6caf2b513_z.jpg


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And clean as a whistle if you look through it....

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And a pair of old glasses.....

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So I'm going to try cleaning it with Eclipse and see what happens... it does look like maybe an aerosol to me to be honest, wonder if it's some sort of lady product?
 
Its a hard one to photograph but it might be the coating...or what it does look a bit like is hairspray (or something similar) is that likely?

If its hairspray you'll need meths..remember to try both water and solvent based cleaners.
Man those spex are knackered! MAR coats come with a 2 year warrenty so dont like your optician fob you off (though those spex look a bit more than that to me!)
 
Hairspray is a possibility... from my better half or maybe someone when I've been out, I'lll try the Eclips on it when I find it.... the obvious saving grace is that it's a filter and not a front element :)

Those glasses are way old from when I was working in garages, I put it down to carburettor cleaner and the like.
 
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