How to Clean Lens Filters for Cameras
Lens filters protect your camera lens and can reduce glare, UV exposure and can help adjust the white or color balance of your photos before the photo is captured. Lens filters must be kept clean in order to give your photos the best results -- which poses a bit of a problem, because ideally, lens filters should never be touched, let alone cleaned. Cleaning solvents can destroy your filters by removing the coatings, but it is possible to clean your filters without damaging them, especially with the right materials.
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Instructions
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Remove the lens filter from the camera, making sure not to get fingerprints on the surface. Wear thin cotton gloves, designed for photographic use, if possible.
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Blow all of the dust from the filter with canned air. Make sure that no visible dust remains on the surface -- if you can see it, it can cause a tiny scratch.
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Wipe the lens gently with a microfiber cloth to remove fingerprints and any other discoloration on the surface. Clean both sides of the filter.
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Moisten the microfiber cloth, only if absolutely necessary, with distilled water to remove stuck-on dirt or salt from the filter. A pure alcohol such as Methanol can be used if there is a severe build-up of dirt.
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Store your lens filters properly by keeping them in individual cloth or plastic cases at all times when they're not in use.
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Tips & Warnings
As long as it's clean, most microfiber cloths, including those used for auto detailing, are acceptable for cleaning lens filters.
Do not use window cleaner, glasses lens cleaner or computer monitor cleaner on a lens filter. Only use commercial products recommended by the filter manufacturer.
Never put acetone on your filter to clean it. If the filter is so dirty only acetone will clean it, it's probably damaged to the point that it should be replaced.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
