Cleaning grad filters

Ok, this may be a very stupid question, but I really don´t know the answer to it, so I hope you can help me. How do you clean your grad filters and where do you keep them, while in the field?

I look forward to hearing from you!!

Beatriz: I use a simple micro fiber cloth on mine. I keep all of my grads in their original plastic sheaths. I keep the 2 stop in my vest pocket along with a polarizer for ready access. The rest of my filters (all Cokin P size) I keep in an audio CD wallet in the camera bag. I'll sometimes put the entire wallet in the vest as well if I'm going someplace unfamiliar and I don't know what I'll need. >=))>

I rinse mine under a faucet and sometimes use a drop of liquid soap. I am VERY careful about any wiping. If there is grit on the filter, it will quickly dig into the resin. That's why I like to rinse them first.


Kent in SD

To clean them I use normal lens cleaner liquid. Works like a charm.

Carrying them in the field? This solution of mine I hold a patent on

Just kidding. I use Tim Fitzharris' method. I own six filters in all, 5 of them grads and one polarizer. I cut off the flap and the 1cm wide thing that holds it when you cover the flap. Then I duck-taped all the 6 pouches together, so it forms a single unit.

Makes sure I don't lose track of them by misplacing them; and also I arrange them in a known order so it's convenient to just dig in my hand and blindly pick the right filter.

I carry it in different ways; either in a LowePro S&F vest system if I'm doing small hikes without my backpack, or in my fishing vest if I'm carrying a huge backpack which has a waistbelt that interferes with the S&F system.

Beatriz, I also use a microfiber cloth, after i carefully rinse any grit off and shake the excess water off.
I'm a fan of the Kineses filter -holder that is available thru the Gift shop at NPN here (lok for the link on theHome Page). When i first received the order, I thought it was bigger than i'd need. but within a couple weeks, it was full - 3 Grad filters, 2 polarizers, and 2 Cokin holders - one for each of the 2 landscape lenses I use, I tried the CD wallets as above, and they are fine - but i prefer to keep the Cokin holders together with the filters so i can get to them all easily as that sunset is fading..
Cheers -
Sandy

I use the rinse method, and only if necessary use a non-ammonia based glass cleaner. I use a Pec Pad to dry them. For carrying them I color code the top of the little case so I don't have to be fumbling around looking for the right filter. I just use colored electrical tape. 2 little strips of red tape = 2 stop hard, 3 strips of yellow = 3 stop soft, blue = reverse, and white for polarizer. Quick and easy.

I´d like to thank you all for the very helpful replies. I´m off to Patagonia tomorrow (a 10 thousand Km trip by car) and now I have my filters clean and ready to go!

I wish you a merry xmas and a great new shooting year!