When it comes to camera filters, the rule of thumb is to clean them as infrequently as possible. Cleaning too often peels off the coatings and leaves the camera filters with the so-called “cleaning scratches.” Many photographers would agree that camera filters should be cleaned only when necessary and if dust, dirt, and gunk are especially affecting the quality of pictures. Though the cleaning process itself is easy, care should be observed, especially because camera filters can be easily damaged. To help you, here is a guide.
- Blow off the dust and dirt particles. The most common tool for this is a bulb blower. Without creating scratches, the bulb blower can get rid off the loose particles from the filters. However, this does not remove oil, fingerprints, and gunk. Such dirt can be removed with a special cleaner.
- Use a microfiber cloth. It is a special type of cloth that easily and quickly removes all dirt, dust, and gunk. Unlike towels, tissues, and other types of cloth, microfiber cloth does not leave any scratches because it is made of very tiny fibers that absorb all forms of dirt. Microfiber cloths are quite cheap, usually not over $5. They can also be washed after use, so you don’t have to buy supplies too often.
- Apply cleaner. There are a lot of cleaning fluid products you can use for your camera filter. They work to dissolve oil and leave the filter clean. How to use them is generally the same. Pour a few drops on a microfiber cloth and wipe it over the surface of your filter. Cotton swab and q-tip also work as effectively as a microfiber cloth. After cleaning the surface, dry the filter with the dry part of the microfiber cloth or q-tip or with another cotton swab.
- Consider using methyl alcohol. Other than a special cleaner, methyl alcohol can also be used to clean a camera filter. It will act as a solvent that will breakdown gunk and oil. Just the same, put a few drops on a microfiber cloth, q-tip, or cotton swab. Wipe it over the filter and pat it dry afterwards. You can also use ethanol and iso-propanol alcohol for your filter, for as long as there are no volatile substances added to them.
- Clean with a pen. A cleaning pen has two parts. One end has a soft brush and the other end has a microfiber pad. The first end is used for sweeping away loose dust and particles, while the second end is for removing gunk and grease. Because of its dual function, cleaning pen leaves the filter neat without a tiny scratch.
Always remember to clean your camera filters at home or anywhere there is access to cleaning materials and has a well-lit workspace. Cleaning them while you are in a photography session is unadvisable, as there is always the possibility of doing it hurriedly, propelling you to use just any cleaning material, your shirt for instance, and therefore cause unsightly scratches.
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