[Angela]

I've just got the camera out to find that the Hoya filter on the end of my zoom lense has smashed to smithereens. I'm away from home for a few days and I have no cleaning kit with me. There are particles of glass all over the end of my lense and blowing them off has helped a bit but not got rid of them. I don't want to wipe them of for fear of scratching the lense.

Does any one have any suggestions as to how best to remove the fragments, almost dust, that are left please?

All I can say is thank heaven I had the filter on otherwise it would be my lense in pieces. I have absolutely no idea how it happened - the camera was in it's padded case in the car and also had a lense cap on

[Toonie]

Angela try a paint brush, you can get right into the nooks & crannies

[Angela]

Thanks Toonie ......*Angela goes off to root through cupboards to see if parents have such a thing!*

[Rob Barron]

Originally Posted by Angela

I've just got the camera out to find that the Hoya filter on the end of my zoom lense has smashed to smithereens. I'm away from home for a few days and I have no cleaning kit with me. There are particles of glass all over the end of my lense and blowing them off has helped a bit but not got rid of them. I don't want to wipe them of for fear of scratching the lense.

Does any one have any suggestions as to how best to remove the fragments, almost dust, that are left please?

All I can say is thank heaven I had the filter on otherwise it would be my lense in pieces. I have absolutely no idea how it happened - the camera was in it's padded case in the car and also had a lense cap on

I KNOW this is way after the event and you have now cleaned your lens and stuff, but just wanted to offer some advice: If you have shards of glass on the front of your lens and, obviously, do not want to wipe it as you'll get scratches which will ruin the lens, there is one way i recommend: a vacuum cleaner! There is no need to hold the end against the lens at all if it is a half-decent vac. Use a round nozzle and hold the open end of it so you can keep it a centimetre away from the lens surface. Suck away all debris.

NOW the important bit: microscopif shards are still possible to be left behind. But a simple trick is to do the following:

Take a pad of newspaper.... no, not kitchen towel, for reasons that will become clear. Ok, wet the pad which should be at least 10 layers thick. LAY the pad against the surface of the lens... no wiping! Press down gently and then release. The tiny shards will through capillary action adhere themselves to the newspaper pad. Do it ONCE only and then remove a layer of paper before, if necessary, doing it again.

Ok, now you have cleared even the tiniest remnants of your filter. What was with the insistance on using newspaper? Well, wet newspaper will deposit a miscropic layer of printers ink. Now, using a proper lens cloth, polish the lens. Try breathing on it and you will find it doesn't mist. The ink from the newspaper makes a fantastic anti-misting agent... try it on your car windscreen. Polish the wet and washed window dry using newspaper and it will be as clean as a new car! Add a touch of vinegar and the glass will positively gleam.

Hey, not bad for a bloke eh?

Too late now but worthwhile knowing for the future.
Cheers,
Rob

[Angela]

Not bad at all Rob!! I hve indeednow cleaned the lense but shall bear your advice in mind if it happens again!

[Chris]

Hope you got it sorted Angela, nice tip Rob

[Dave]

Rob, you sure you don't present on one of those selling channels on Sky ? Joking apart, good advice

[Rob Barron]

Originally Posted by Dave

Rob, you sure you don't present on one of those selling channels on Sky ? Joking apart, good advice

LOL, thanks but no thanks Dave, griefs they are so cringing it is awful!

I am a teacher (so am a bit more verbose than most - hey, why say something in ten words if I can fill a book? <g>) and because I travel around a lot of camera clubs doing Photoshop tuitionals, I pick up lots of tips and things along the way.

I absolutely love this particular forum as it is a great place to share and receive advice and things. Every photography enthusiast should be on pixalo... and when I speak at clubs, I now tell them. They won't show up as referrals from me as I don't give them the link, I just send them to Pixalo.com.

I am just hoping I never actually need to use the tip I gave on my new Canon 300mm IS L series! <g>

Cheers,
Rob

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Rob Barron

I absolutely love this particular forum as it is a great place to share and receive advice and things. Every photography enthusiast should be on pixalo... and when I speak at clubs, I now tell them. They won't show up as referrals from me as I don't give them the link, I just send them to Pixalo.com.

Very kind words Rob, that have made our day at Pixalo Word of mouth is always the best way to find out about new places, so thankyou for telling others about your experience here. The more members we get, the more we all benefit from the broadened Photography knowledge on the site

[Steve]

After the recent thread started by our very own Stephen this is a great example of why I believe that filters are worth their cost many times over

I would just like to echo what Dave has already said and thank you Rob for both the advice to Angela and the kind words of recommendations for Pixalo. BTW despite you not giving people your referral link there has been at least one member that I noticed has manually added your name in as their referrer!!