Handling filters

[freiform]

Hi,

any general recommendation on handling filters (loading a filter wheel in my case)? Do you wear gloves? Or am I overthinking this? Which I tend to do.

 

Sven

[Rob Sellent]

If you're referring to your screw on end of eyepiece type of filter, I remove them from their box and screw them on holding their plastic edge. Of course, accidents happen. I accidently drop one in the dark, or smudge one with my sausage fingers in the cold. In that case. there's nothing better than a little bit of Baader Optical Wonder Fluid and their tip-top cloth. I've used the same filters for years and so long as you treat them with respect, I find them quite robust little things 

[freiform]

Hi Rob,

the threaded ones for my eyepieces I have no problems with, it is the unthreaded variety for imaging I am afraid to touch

 

Sven

[Rob Sellent]

Sorry, Sven. My mistake Hopefully one of the imagers will be along, but if not, maybe it'll be an idea to set up a thread in the imagers' section

[david_taurus83]

You can handle them at the edge no problem. Just give your hands a wash with some soap to get rid of any oil or specks of dust etc. They are magnets for dust!

[Waldemar]

Cotton gloves are available at old fashion foto shops or internet: https://www.walmart.com/browse/health/cotton-gloves/976760_2571007_1424843

The Nitrile gloves are very nice as well, just what you prefer.
Like you I don't like smudge on the edges either...

[freiform]

I got cotton gloves. They leave a bit fluff, but I guess nothing that a bit of air won't take care of. Thank you!

I am not quite sure if i ot the right filters, though:

 

Sven