I'm an idiot. Scratched a filter. Now What?

P

Patrick_Swinnea

Member
I just purchased a 72mm Hoya UV Super Multi Coat filter from B & H for my FX1. When I took it out of the case there was a pretty big piece of dust/lint on the lens (big enough to cause issues with the image). Using the plastic coated paper in the case (not for lens cleaning!) I tried to pick up the piece of lint off the filter. In doing so I smudged the middle of the lens. It looks like the lens coating itself has been smeared but I'm not sure.

I tested it out and the smudge causes a blur right in the middle of the screen (as expected). Is there a way to smooth this out or did I just ruin a brand new $50 filter?
 
I use Formula MC from 2filter.com... but I'm sure there are other cleaners specifically for multi-coated filters. Also be sure to pick up a couple packs of lens tissue or a couple cleaning cloths. You'll also want a rocket (bulb) duster to blast the last specs off with air only. The stupid brush/bulbs always seem to hold and drop as much dust as they get off (in my experience).

I'm sure your filter is fine... just get a good cleaner like Formula MC... Oh, and put just a drop ON THE TISSUE or CLEANING CLOTH... NOT on the filter or it will seep into the edge!
 
Awesome, I haven't even touched it yet. After some searching I found many conflicting answers on how to properly clean a filter so I figured I'd ask for advice before jacking it up even more.

Matt, I'll pick up some good cleaner. I looked at that site you listed and it looks like it will do exactly what I need. I have some outdoor shooting I'd like to do on Tuesday so I'd like to pick up something locally if I can. I'm close to a Wolf camera so maybe they'll have something similar. It's good to hear I didn't ruin the filter. Thanks!
 
Hey just so you know, I've bought liquid cleaners that said they were for multi-coated lenses and while they didn't DAMAGE the coatings they also didn't work all that well. They just dried in a trail of little dots all over the filter. Formula MC is the only one I've used so far that doesn't do that on my B+W multi-coated filters. If you get some stuff from Wolf and it works great let us know... and if you get some and it never seems like you can get the filter clean and streak-free then try what I'm using. I'd like an alternative that I don't have to ORDER... but so far I haven't found one.
 
Formula MC is the only one i trust as well, and 2filter has good peeps. I dont know if wolf will have the right stuff, whatever you do, do not buy cleaner that does not have MC on it, and buy the best stuff you can afford.
 
Thanks guys. I think I'll just order the Formula MC and shoot a day without a filter. I'd rather wait a few days than risk fudging it up even more.
 
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