In article
>The glass in lenses and filters, to be more specific. I just bought some
>filters Nikon and B&W) and like all new filters I have ever purchased they
>were covered with the gunk that I assume is plastic from the little cases
>they are stored in. I guess sublimation causes the plastic to be deposited
>on the glass. Whatever.
>
>How in the Hell do you get it off?! Everything I read says use only your
>breath to clean the lenses and filters. Condensation from one's breath
>will not do anything but help smear it around. I tried a little Kodak lens
>cleaning solutionand that isn't much better. I'm tempted to throw
>everything into the dishwasher!
>
>I know that alcohol will cut through it but I am afraid to try that on my
>lenses or the coated filters. Anybody got anything that works?
- AVOID silicone!!!
- Wash your hands before attempting to clean glass.
- Always breath UP onto glass surfaces (to avoid spit marks).
- Never apply liquid directly to a lens surface (apply it sparingly
to a tissue or a clean cotton swab first).
- Do not use "canned air" - get a large brushless hand air-bulb.
I prefer using Kodak lens tissue, and the following cleaners, depending
on severity needed: breath, Windex (commercial clear non-abrasive glass cleaner), alcohol, naptha (lighter fluid), half-and-half dish washing
detergent and water (removed with the glass cleaner). Always start with
blowing off dust, and always finish with breath and tissue or cotton swab. Filters may be immersed in clean water with dish detergent, using a swab to wash them, followed by draining, blowing off most of the remaining liquid,
then immersing them in distilled water with maybe a bit of Photo-flo added,
then dried (checking them occasionally, and blowing or wiping drops off
is helpful). The surface of multi-coated glass is very hard, but difficult
to clean completely - if you can stand the sight of it, a slightly
discolored glass surface will have no optical consequences (dust will
have little effect, but grease/oil will diffuse the image, and a
fingerprint can eventually etch the glass).
Hope This Helps