Hello Carl,

If worse comes to worse, you can always replace it with a hard coated  
filter. Soft coated filters are at best 80-90% (more like 60-80%)  
transmission efficiencies, while hard coated filters have 95-99%  
efficiencies. Shorter exposure times are always welcomed.

I have no connections to Semrock, Chroma or Omega. I'm just blown  
away at the comparisons between the two technologies.

Pete

On Oct 8, 2009, at 3:06 AM, Carl Boswell wrote:

Thanks, Gary.  My big concern is the worry over "soft" vs "hard"  
coatings, and all the warnings associated with the former.   
Apparently older filters are more delicate than the newer ones.  I'm  
told that what I have are soft coatings.  I guess I'll take the  
cautious approach and try a small area first.

Thanks to all for your input.  If nothing else, it gives me courage  
to at least try something.

C

Carl A. Boswell, Ph.D.
Molecular and Cellular Biology
University of Arizona
520-954-7053
FAX 520-621-3709
----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Laevsky" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 4:34 PM
Subject: Re: cleaning of filters


Hi All,

First, before I used First Contact, I spoke with a person that is  
very prominent in the filter industry (trying to limit commercial  
conflict).

That person said the polymer does not damage their coatings.

I purchased the product.  While reading this thread, I took out an  
emission filter and put a big old thumbprint on it.

The polymer pulled it and all other impurities very nicely.

You do have to be very careful near the edges of the mount.

0 commercial interest, but very happy.

Best,



Gary Laevsky, Ph.D.

Imaging Application Specialist



Andor Technology

discover new ways of seeing



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Cell         (774) 291 - 9992

Office       (860) 290 - 9211 x219

Fax          (860) 290 - 9566

Web:       www.andor.com



Please visit the following links for further information on the Andor  
microscopy systems



http://www.andor.com/learning/movie_library/

please scroll down to the microscopy systems movie



http://www.andor.com/microscopy_systems/default.aspx


-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List  
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Craig Brideau
Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 7:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: cleaning of filters

I still swear by lens tissues over cotton swabs, mainly because the
lens tissues won't leave fibers behind.  Most of the major optics
companies sell their 'house brand' of these and they're all usually
fairly good.  I've used Edmund Optics and Thorlabs brands with good
success.  Edmund even sells large 'sheet-sized' pieces in packs.

Craig


On Wed, Oct 7, 2009 at 2:40 PM, Dan Osborn <[log in to unmask]>  
wrote:
> Martin/ Deron,
> We use several of the Puritan products on protected coatings and
> mirrors: the same product as Deron listed, and 806 and 826 WC item  
> numbers.
> The 869 was called out as the preferred product. And it true about the
> fibers, there is tendency for some to be left behind after  
> cleaning, but
> usually a circular swabbing motion from the inside out can reduce  
> this.
> There is also a fine polyester cleaning wipe used by some, but I do  
> not have
> the catalog number on that.
> Best,
> Dan
>
>
> Dan Osborn
> Product Marketing Manager
>
> Omega Optical, Inc.
> Delta Campus
> Omega Drive
> Brattleboro, VT 05301
> Phone: Direct line: (802) 251-7305 or Toll Free: (866)-488-1064
> Fax: 802-254-3937
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> Web: www.omegafilters.com
>
>
>
>
>
> Celebrating 40 Years
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List  
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Deron Walters
> Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 4:02 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: cleaning of filters
>
> The most common Q tips have both a binder to hold the cotton  
> together and a
> glue that attaches the cotton to the stick. Either of these could  
> dissolve
> in solvents and redeposit on optics. However, there is a glue-free,
> binder-free swab that you can special order, the 869-WC from
> Puritan:
>
> http://www.puritanmedproducts.com/search/search_4.asp? 
> id=336&item=869-WC
>
> I've used these with success on antireflection-coated singlets and  
> doublets,
> although I haven't tested them on exposed filter coatings.
> One objection to these is that (lacking binder) they shed cotton  
> fibers.
> In my experience those can be blown away with a stream of  
> pressurized air.
>
> No financial interest.
>
> Deron Walters
> R&D Scientist, Physics
> Asylum Research
>
>
>> On Behalf Of Martin Wessendorf
>>
>> Dan Osborn wrote:
>>
>> > However, some grime does come off better in aqueous solvents,  
>> and it
>> > is OK to use a good breath of air on the filter surface and  
>> either a
>> > Qtip or wipe to clean it. A water dampened Qtip or cloth followed
> by
>> > a dry wipe should be fine as well.
>>
>> I had always heard that Q-tips have starch in them as a binder, and
> were
>> thus unsuitable for optics--that we should make our own with cotton
> wool
>> and an applicator stick. Not so?
>