ND Filters - Handling

[Jim.]

Hi All,

I've just received my order for my expensive ND equipment/Grad Filters. Now, I want to look after them and be delicate with them (I'm not made of money and not too patient when it comes to cleaning greasy marks off glass - you should see the state of my glasses!).

Do you just handle them with your bare hands ensuring that you are careful not to touch the main of the glass or do you wear some sort of microfibre/cotton gloves.

Maybe I'm over thinking it, but thought I'd ask. As there so nice and brand new, I want to keep them that way.

Cheers

James

 

[AndyB1976]

Bare hands, held edge-on and slipped into the holder.

Maybe a soft glove would be a good idea(maybe not?) but not sure if the filter could slip through them. If any dust or fibres are on them I just use a rocket blower.

 

[markmullen]

Bare hands, you'll be fine, just keep a nice soft lens cloth for cleaning them.

 

[ricky1980]

Lick them, flick them, tap them and use them as Frisbee!

just be careful with them and clean them up if there are lots of grease marks/finger prints and keep them in good wallets.

 

[Surrey Weddings]

as you say just like your glasses.... they are tough but you don't want smudges and stuff on them as will show on your images..

 

[Jim.]

Aww thanks for your responses guys . They're much appreciated. Bare hands it is then. I just wanted to check as I've never seen anyone using them

 

[Pablosammy]

Touching the edges doesn't matter, that's not the part the lens sees through. If they're proper glass they'll be very scratch resistant, but will smash if you drop them - as such, cotton gloves might not be a good idea as they'll be slippier than bare hands.

Don't get too obsessive about dust - just use a blower. A few bits of dust won't be visible in your images, but a myriad of micro scratches from obsessive cleaning will.

 

[Jim.]

Nice one, thanks. I shall stick to the consensus of the group and go bare hands