B + W filter problem!

[MoliroMan]

Hi Guys!

Just bought a 77mm B + W Pro MRC UV haze filter for my 16-35 L and while cleaning it with the brush of the "lenspen" discovered to my horror that it left very fine scratches!!!!

Do i need to replace this filter? Will it affect the quality of pictures taken? R they meant to scratch so easily?

thx

DAve

[ddelallata]

are you sure that they are scratches?? Have a closer look...you may be looking at tiny smears on the UV coating. Use some lens cleaning solution and lens tissue or microfiber and have a look again. If in fact they are scrathces I'd return it for a new one. Actual scratches have a tendency to produce awful results depending on how light hits them.

[blue_max]

The multi-resistant coating is said to be harder than glass.

What's the brush made of diamond? It would not be much use anywhere near an actual lens, so there MUST be some mistake.

I hope it isn't scratched, but please let us know when you have investigated further.

Graham

[MoliroMan]

i am pretty sure they r fine scratches. I used the other end of the lenspen to try and clean it off but to no avail. Also tried a lens cloth.

I bought the UV filter from Hong Kong China on the internet so i don't know if it would be worth returning it since technically it is something i did myself. The filter came in perfect condition!

Dave

[lost]

Did you use lens solution to try to clean with the cloth?

[SkipD]

Look at the "scratches" under fairly high (at least 10X) magnification. You'll probably see that they are ridges and not scratches.

Try using NEW lens tissue and lens cleaning fluid. I absolutely will not use a lens pen, a cloth that you re-use, or any such junk for cleaning a lens. There is too much risk of putting stuff on the lens (or filter, as in this case).

Just buy some Kodak (or equivalent) lens tissue. Use one sheet, folded so the parts you touch will never touch the lens. Apply a drop or two of lens cleaning fluid to the paper. Wipe ONCE, then re-fold so another part of the paper is used, then do the fluid-wipe thing again. Never wipe more than once with the same portion of the paper. You risk too much by doing this. You could scratch the lens with a piece of sand picked up on the previous pass or possible smear something that was cleaned off with the last pass. Finish up by drying the lens with a fresh piece of lens tissue.

[MoliroMan]

Thanks guys for your replies!

I was so close to ordering a Hoya 77mm Pro MRC UV filter to replace this B+W but it would be good money down the drain!

I really hope it is just smears otherwise it would be pretty pointless buying these filters as protection!!!

By the way what type of lens solution should i buy? Does it matter what type i buy? I was told these lens pens r better.

thx
Dave

[SkipD]

Dave, most lens cleaning fluids should work fine for every-day cleaning. However, you might find that one product or another might not work in this particular case, assuming that what's on your filter is a smear and not scratches.

Try finding a camera store that caters to the pros in your area and ask them for a good brand after explaining your problem. I would NOT go to the "shopping mall" photo stores (the large chains such as Ritz), because I seldom find anyone there with enough of a background to answer technical questions properly.

You could also try a few drops of Windex, but use only the original formula and not the newer thick formula that's not supposed to run on the glass. The thick formula often leaves streaks for me when doing car windows.

Methanol alcohol is the recommend fluid for cleaning DSLR sensors, and would probably work on your filter as well. Finding it locally could be a problem, though.

[MoliroMan]

Update!

I found out that the supposed scratches were only smears that were on the internal surface of the filter !!!!!:o Came off easily with a few wipes. Pls don't laugh at me. I was so depressed for a few days before finding this out!

I now have renewed confidence in these B + W filters!!!


Thx

DAve

[blue_max]

Update!

I found out that the supposed scratches were only smears that were on the internal surface of the filter !!!!!:o Came off easily with a few wipes. Pls don't laugh at me. I was so depressed for a few days before finding this out!

I now have renewed confidence in these B + W filters!!!

Thx

DAve


I am glad to hear is was not scratched. Certainly a pen made to clean lenses, that was capable of scratching the coating or indeed glass, would be a very undesireable product!

We've all done things like this. In the heat of the moment, you imagine the worst (some of us just don't admit it).

Graham