D'oh! Gunked up my filter, now what?

07/05/2014 10:44:48 AM · #1

Hey all

Most of us know of the old-school trick of smearing vaseline on the lens to ceate a soft-focus effect...or more correctly, smearing vaseline on a lens filter...I learned that much from

Bear_Music's anecdote! ;-)

I tried it recently, just for fun, and though most of the grease (Bag Balm as opposed to Vaseline) came off, I've been unable to get the last few smears of residue off. This is after using lens cleaner with lens tissue, followed by a microfibre. So any idea as to how to get the last few greasy smears off?

Tiny

Apple iPad mini 4

07/05/2014 11:00:18 AM · #2

Wash in hot water with a strong mixture liquid detergent I would have thought.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/05/2014 11:03:44 AM · #3

Originally posted by Tiny:

Wash in hot water with a strong mixture liquid detergent I would have thought.

I thought abput it too and may try it as a last resort. The good thing about this filter is I got it for free - it was on the end of my 70-200mm when I bought it! So although I don't want to risk trashing it entirely, it's no big loss if I can't save it. But as it's 77mm and fits all my lenses it is useful to have if I do decide I need a filter.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

07/05/2014 11:17:50 AM · #4

Try rubbing alcohol (the type, not actually rubbing it).

Message edited by author 2014-07-05 11:18:28.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

07/05/2014 11:19:18 AM · #5

Liquid Joy or Dawn detergent shouldn't damage the filter in any way. Just wash it in the sink with water as hot as you can handle.
Let it dry for a while to get all the moisture out from where the edge of the glass fits into the metal before putting it on a lens.

You can also get similar foggy effects without the cleanup by just breathing on the lens and shooting as the fog evaporates. It's a handy trick if you are "on the move" and just want the effect for a few shots.

skewsme

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens

07/05/2014 11:21:05 AM · #6

Try drinking alcohol. Then everything else will be blurry and you won't notice your filter.

raish

Olympus C-2500L

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

07/05/2014 01:09:38 PM · #7

Washing-up liquid and a soft rag. The filter can take that much of a thrashing. People who wear glasses do it all the time to glass that's a lot more important to them. Good idea to wait with the alcohol drinking thing until after the cleaning...

pixelpig

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 1.8/50mm SAM

07/05/2014 01:26:03 PM · #8

Dawn Platinum will erase any grease. It dispenses as foam. I use it to clean my glasses. Love it.

Ann

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

07/05/2014 03:22:34 PM · #9

Dishwasher. With nothing nearby for it to get scratched on, of course.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/05/2014 06:11:55 PM · #10

Hmm, don't have a dishwasher so it has to be done by hand...but won't any coatings on the filter (no idea if it has any or not, it's just a clear protective filter) be affected by detergents?

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

07/05/2014 06:48:19 PM · #11

Originally posted by snaffles:

Hmm, don't have a dishwasher so it has to be done by hand...but won't any coatings on the filter (no idea if it has any or not, it's just a clear protective filter) be affected by detergents?

I have often washed filters that way, and never noticed any problems.

Next time, try one or more layers of cling wrap over the lens, instead. You can crease/bunch it up for extra distortion.

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

07/05/2014 06:52:34 PM · #12

Originally posted by Beetle:

Originally posted by snaffles:
Hmm, don't have a dishwasher so it has to be done by hand...but won't any coatings on the filter (no idea if it has any or not, it's just a clear protective filter) be affected by detergents?

I have often washed filters that way, and never noticed any problems.

Next time, try one or more layers of cling wrap over the lens, instead. You can crease/bunch it up for extra distortion.

Cool, could be an interesting effect. Bubblewrap also works well for freaky effects :-)

jomari

Nikon D7000

07/05/2014 08:09:57 PM · #13

I've always just used the liquid detergent and hot water remedy. I haven't tried the dishwasher although I have put the odd magnifying glass in there. I like the idea of the cling wrap for extra effects. When bubble wrap is used do you just hold it (as I do) or do you attach it to your filter?

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

07/05/2014 08:15:02 PM · #14

I regulary wash my filters with warm water and dishwash liquid, but normally clean with spectacle cleaner and cloth purchased from local optician,same as I use on my spectacles .

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

07/05/2014 08:17:06 PM · #15

Originally posted by jomari:

I used bubblewrap for this

by waving bubblewrap in front of the lens while leaving the shutter open. Should be in my notes, how far the bubblewrap was in front of the lens.

jomari

Nikon D7000

07/05/2014 08:24:47 PM · #16

Originally posted by snaffles:

Originally posted by jomari:
I've always just used the liquid detergent and hot water remedy. I haven't tried the dishwasher although I have put the odd magnifying glass in there. I like the idea of the cling wrap for extra effects. When bubble wrap is used do you just hold it (as I do) or do you attach it to your filter?

I used bubblewrap for this by waving bubblewrap in front of the lens while leaving the shutter open. Should be in my notes, how far the bubblewrap was in front of the lens.

Thank you. I love that effect. (And please excuse my senior moment because you have given me that information when I asked you about that photo before.)

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

07/06/2014 12:08:45 PM · #17

I would go with the dish soap...