A friend of mine gave me some Cokin 4x4 filters she's had sitting in a box for years. they're all in their case and dont seem to be scratched but they're all dirty with dust and some brown stuff (looks like make up). would it be unsafe to use alcohol or windex or soap to clean them, or should I just use water?
cleaning cokin filters?
- Thread starter amoildani
- Start date
Bill__Turner
Well-known member
Re: cleaning cokin filters?
To my knowledge these filters are made from CR39 optical resin, not glass and are scratched far more easily than glass so great care should be taken in cleaning. I would recommend contacting Cokin or their distributor for cleaning instructions.
Absent that, I would try a mild solution of liquid diswashing detergent and warm water and a clean soft cloth-- do not rub hard or use paper tissue. Gently dry with a clean soft cloth--- Tee shirt type material or very soft towel. Carefully examine the cleaned filter to determine that you are satisfied with the results prior to cleaning the rest.
Note: CR39 is commonly used in eyeglasses but typically coated to resist scratches, therefore cleaning the same way one might clean eyeglasses is not recommended as I do not believe these filters are coated.
Good Luck
Bill Turner
Century Division
Schneider Optics
To my knowledge these filters are made from CR39 optical resin, not glass and are scratched far more easily than glass so great care should be taken in cleaning. I would recommend contacting Cokin or their distributor for cleaning instructions.
Absent that, I would try a mild solution of liquid diswashing detergent and warm water and a clean soft cloth-- do not rub hard or use paper tissue. Gently dry with a clean soft cloth--- Tee shirt type material or very soft towel. Carefully examine the cleaned filter to determine that you are satisfied with the results prior to cleaning the rest.
Note: CR39 is commonly used in eyeglasses but typically coated to resist scratches, therefore cleaning the same way one might clean eyeglasses is not recommended as I do not believe these filters are coated.
Good Luck
Bill Turner
Century Division
Schneider Optics
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
Re: cleaning cokin filters?
Nice answer! I was just gonna tell him to whip out the garden hose... ;D
Nice answer! I was just gonna tell him to whip out the garden hose... ;D
Re: cleaning cokin filters?
I used to be a corporate photographer and we used Sinar 4x5 cameras. If I remember right Sinar made a spray cleaner made just for their resin filters. If Sinar made it, it had to be good. I'm sure its still available. Of course, if it has Sinars name on it, its probably $100 for a 3 oz bottle, but I'm sure its a great cleaner...
I used to be a corporate photographer and we used Sinar 4x5 cameras. If I remember right Sinar made a spray cleaner made just for their resin filters. If Sinar made it, it had to be good. I'm sure its still available. Of course, if it has Sinars name on it, its probably $100 for a 3 oz bottle, but I'm sure its a great cleaner...
Re: cleaning cokin filters?
Assuming the dust isn't particularly sticky, try cleaning off the dust with tepid (not hot) running water and a little detergent. I say running water as this avoids rubbing the surface with a cloth and possibly causing scratching by dragging any abrasive dust across it.
Hopefully this just leaves it wet, but dust free. Then use a new microfibre lens cloth (from any photographic shop) to gently dry it. This cloth definitely won't scratch in itself, although don't use the edges as the sewing at the hem may.
Assuming the dust isn't particularly sticky, try cleaning off the dust with tepid (not hot) running water and a little detergent. I say running water as this avoids rubbing the surface with a cloth and possibly causing scratching by dragging any abrasive dust across it.
Hopefully this just leaves it wet, but dust free. Then use a new microfibre lens cloth (from any photographic shop) to gently dry it. This cloth definitely won't scratch in itself, although don't use the edges as the sewing at the hem may.