UV filters and Lens cleaning at DVinfo.net

Josh Bass · July 18th, 2002, 01:39 PM

2 Questions: First of all, I've bought three UV filters in my time with my camera. The first came in a kit with two others, and the other two I bought by themselves later. I recently noticed that I have three completely different filters. One is simply calle a UV filter, the other is a sky-1, and the other is a Haze-1. Am I screwing myself by not sticking with the plain old UV filter? I can't tell much of a difference myself.

Also, I am paranoid and fanatical about cleaning my lens and filter. I don't really know what to use. I have compressed air, an anti-static cloth, and lens paper. No matter what I use, there's always some little streak that you can only see when look at the lens from a certain angle under a certain light, or speck of doody on the lens. Am I being overly paranoid? I'm never sure what will show up on camera. Should I use some kind of fluid? Yes I know to be very careful with the compressed air, as the fluid that sometimes comes out can erode the anti-reflective coating.

Ken Tanaka · July 18th, 2002, 03:25 PM

These various flavors of filters (haze, uv, sky) are, to a great degree, really variations whose distinctions are important only to film photographers. You might notice that the sky filter warms an image just a bit (until you white balance, that is). So, yes, you really don't need them for video. Just stick the UV filter on and donate the others to a local photo club. Remember that the principal function of the thing is to protect your lens, not to alter the image.

Re: cleaning, don't used compressed air. It can blow particles into the lens' enclosure. Get a LensPen for dry cleaning. Also good to have lens tissues and lens cleaner around, but the LensPen will do a good job on all but the worst smears.

Josh Bass · July 18th, 2002, 03:37 PM

Thanks for the tips. My UV filter however, has some sort of spot on it that refuses to come off. . .kind of looks like a discoloration. That's why I bought the others

Jeff Donald · July 18th, 2002, 05:08 PM

Do not use anti-static cloths. They are usually impregnated with a substance that is very difficult to remove from optical surfaces. Tiny flecks and dust on the front surface of the lens or filter normally won't show on the recorded image. Greasy smudges and smears can soften the image and cause flare. Shooting into or towards the sun can make the affects of a dirty filter more pronounced. It is very important that the rear element of the lens be kept as clean as possible. The closer to the CCD, the closer the dirt is to being in focus.

I use a micro fiber cleaning cloth made for cleaning optical surfaces. Better camera stores carry them, even Ritz Camera sells them. They can be used wet or dry. When they become dirty, wash them in a washer, just don't dry them. They shrink up to nothing.

Jeff

Erik Selakoff · July 19th, 2002, 05:15 AM

Josh, check out www.2filter.com for good lens cleaning supplies. I use their Formula MC Cleaner and a Schneider MicroFiber cloth (that I got from them) and the results are great.

Josh Bass · July 19th, 2002, 03:46 PM

Think that stuff'll take care of the crap that's already on my filters? None of them have scratches, but they have weird things that I swear won't come off

Jeff Donald · July 19th, 2002, 04:07 PM

If you get really stubborn or greasy spot I use Isoprophyl Alcohol. The optical surfaces, single and multi coatings used are very hard (at least on high quality optics). Most people don't rub hard enough to remove the smudges. I make a little tool for removing the difficult spots. Take 2 Q-Tips and wrap a couple of pieces of lens tissue around the ends. Moisten in alcohol and squeeze any excess liquid out. Make sure the surface of the filter is free of anything that might scratch (this is big here in FL, sand is everywhere). Rub the surface of the filter with some force. Your not going to hurt it. Use a micro fiber cloth to remove the the cleaning marks (swirls from the alcohol drying). If needed breath on the filter surface to apply moisture and continue with the micro fiber cloth. Filter should now look like new. If not, it's time for a new one.

Jeff

Josh Bass · July 20th, 2002, 12:11 AM

Thanks, sirs. Where can I find this this lenspen dealy that I heard about?

Ken Tanaka · July 20th, 2002, 12:55 AM

You'll probably find them at any good photo shop. You can also order them from B&H and other online shops.

Josh Bass · July 20th, 2002, 04:04 PM

Alright guys, thanks. So microfiber cloth, lenspen, and the above mentioned alcohol.

Frank Granovski · July 21st, 2002, 02:42 AM

A haze filter is just another name for a UV filter. The Skylight is slightly different, but also good as a protective filter, though it is primarily used with an abundance of natural light---but then I'd rather use a circular polarizer for this. The UV/Haze can be used indoors and out---and you will notice its effects best at high elevations and when the UV index is high.

July 18th, 2002, 01:39 PM	#1
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	UV filters and Lens cleaning 2 Questions: First of all, I've bought three UV filters in my time with my camera. The first came in a kit with two others, and the other two I bought by themselves later. I recently noticed that I have three completely different filters. One is simply calle a UV filter, the other is a sky-1, and the other is a Haze-1. Am I screwing myself by not sticking with the plain old UV filter? I can't tell much of a difference myself. Also, I am paranoid and fanatical about cleaning my lens and filter. I don't really know what to use. I have compressed air, an anti-static cloth, and lens paper. No matter what I use, there's always some little streak that you can only see when look at the lens from a certain angle under a certain light, or speck of doody on the lens. Am I being overly paranoid? I'm never sure what will show up on camera. Should I use some kind of fluid? Yes I know to be very careful with the compressed air, as the fluid that sometimes comes out can erode the anti-reflective coating. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

July 18th, 2002, 03:25 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	These various flavors of filters (haze, uv, sky) are, to a great degree, really variations whose distinctions are important only to film photographers. You might notice that the sky filter warms an image just a bit (until you white balance, that is). So, yes, you really don't need them for video. Just stick the UV filter on and donate the others to a local photo club. Remember that the principal function of the thing is to protect your lens, not to alter the image. Re: cleaning, don't used compressed air. It can blow particles into the lens' enclosure. Get a LensPen for dry cleaning. Also good to have lens tissues and lens cleaner around, but the LensPen will do a good job on all but the worst smears. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

July 18th, 2002, 03:37 PM	#3
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Thanks for the tips. My UV filter however, has some sort of spot on it that refuses to come off. . .kind of looks like a discoloration. That's why I bought the others __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

July 19th, 2002, 03:46 PM	#6
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Think that stuff'll take care of the crap that's already on my filters? None of them have scratches, but they have weird things that I swear won't come off __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

July 20th, 2002, 12:11 AM	#8
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Thanks, sirs. Where can I find this this lenspen dealy that I heard about? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

July 18th, 2002, 05:08 PM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Do not use anti-static cloths. They are usually impregnated with a substance that is very difficult to remove from optical surfaces. Tiny flecks and dust on the front surface of the lens or filter normally won't show on the recorded image. Greasy smudges and smears can soften the image and cause flare. Shooting into or towards the sun can make the affects of a dirty filter more pronounced. It is very important that the rear element of the lens be kept as clean as possible. The closer to the CCD, the closer the dirt is to being in focus. I use a micro fiber cleaning cloth made for cleaning optical surfaces. Better camera stores carry them, even Ritz Camera sells them. They can be used wet or dry. When they become dirty, wash them in a washer, just don't dry them. They shrink up to nothing. Jeff

July 19th, 2002, 05:15 AM	#5
Erik Selakoff Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York, NY Posts: 51	Josh, check out www.2filter.com for good lens cleaning supplies. I use their Formula MC Cleaner and a Schneider MicroFiber cloth (that I got from them) and the results are great.

July 19th, 2002, 04:07 PM	#7
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	If you get really stubborn or greasy spot I use Isoprophyl Alcohol. The optical surfaces, single and multi coatings used are very hard (at least on high quality optics). Most people don't rub hard enough to remove the smudges. I make a little tool for removing the difficult spots. Take 2 Q-Tips and wrap a couple of pieces of lens tissue around the ends. Moisten in alcohol and squeeze any excess liquid out. Make sure the surface of the filter is free of anything that might scratch (this is big here in FL, sand is everywhere). Rub the surface of the filter with some force. Your not going to hurt it. Use a micro fiber cloth to remove the the cleaning marks (swirls from the alcohol drying). If needed breath on the filter surface to apply moisture and continue with the micro fiber cloth. Filter should now look like new. If not, it's time for a new one. Jeff

July 20th, 2002, 12:55 AM	#9
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	You'll probably find them at any good photo shop. You can also order them from B&H and other online shops. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

July 20th, 2002, 04:04 PM	#10
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Alright guys, thanks. So microfiber cloth, lenspen, and the above mentioned alcohol. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

July 21st, 2002, 02:42 AM	#11
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	A haze filter is just another name for a UV filter. The Skylight is slightly different, but also good as a protective filter, though it is primarily used with an abundance of natural light---but then I'd rather use a circular polarizer for this. The UV/Haze can be used indoors and out---and you will notice its effects best at high elevations and when the UV index is high.