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Filter cleaning, filter care, and
filter storage
The photographic B + W filters are equal to the high image quality of today's lens
systems. In order to maintain this level of performance, the surfaces
of the glass should always be clean. Smeared or even scratched surfaces
can have effects which are similar to that of a soft-focus filter, and
thus reduce contrast and sharpness.
Depending upon the
environment and situation, however, smearing cannot always be avoided.
As a rule, the surfaces of the glass, with proper cleaning, can easily
be made smudge-free again.
This is especially
simple with the filters that have the B+W
MRC coating system. The MultiResistantCcoating
process, called MRC for short, has an additional upper layer
with remarkable properties. The tendency for moisture, dust, and other
dirt particles clear to adhere is significantly reduced, and scratch
resistance of the surface is increased, thanks to the improved hardness
of the outer layer. In practice, the B+W MRC coating not only
guarantees the maximum in reflection reduction in taking pictures, but
also very simple and rapid cleaning.
- The first step in the
cleaning of B+W filters, regardless of whether they are MRC coated,
normally coated, or not coated at all, is the removal of loose
particles. For this purpose, compressed air or a bellows is
particularly suitable. An appropriately fine brush which is
specifically designed for optical lenses can also be used for this
purpose.
- Any dirty surfaces still
remaining can usually be cleaned with the
B+W Photo Clear Cleaning
Cloth.
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The B+W
Photo-Clear Cleaning Cloth is a micro-fiber cloth which has
been specifically developed for optical surfaces. It is free
of chemicals, washable (at 40°), and hence can be used again
and again. Because of its unsewed edge, it is very stable, and
cannot tear or unravel.
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It
is suitable not only for cleaning and care of filters, but also also
for CD's, CD-ROM's, camera lenses, eyeglasses, etc.
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- By gentle washing, most
of the particles of dirt still adhering can be removed. With smudgy
marks, e.g. fingerprints, breathing on them can help.
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What must be
avoided at all costs is hard rubbing and heavy pressure, particularly
with trick filters and special-effect filters which are made
of optical plastic (e.g., gradient-density color filters, Carl
Zeiss Softare, etc.).
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- If the smudges still
adhering cannot be removed with this method of cleaning, the optical cleaning fluids
B+W Optic Cleaner will be utilized. If these do
not help, either, then it would be advisable to send the filter to a
service facility.
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B+W Optic
Cleaner is an antistatic
cleaner, concentrated by silicones,
for highly sensitive optical surfaces. It is biodegradable. The
application is simple: Remove loose dirt from the optical surface,
then sparingly spray it with the B+W Optic Cleaner and finally
wipe it off with a soft and absorbent cloth, e.g. B+W Photo Clear.
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Filters
from B+W are high-quality optical elements which require
appropriately careful handling in order to guarantee a long
useful life. In this regard, in addition to care and cleaning,
storage and transportation are also important.
The filters are supplied basically in a single-filter
container in which the filter should be kept when not in
use or when being carried. Attached filters should be
protected just as well as the outermost glass of a lens, and
covered with a lens cap. As alternatives to the
single-filter container, the filter cases and filter
cassettes are available.
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B+W Photo Clear,
B+W Optic Cleaner, fine cleaning brushes, compressed air and bellows, as well as the B+W storage accessories for your filters already
mentioned can be obtained from your photography
supplies dealer.
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