shattered UV filter and resulting lens scratch

[KmH]

The scratch may cause some flare when there are bright light sources near or in the image frame. No doubt, the resale value of your lens just went down because of the scratch, when/if you ever want to sell/trade it.

Was the lens hood on?

I don't know how many times here on TPF I have mentioned how a 'protective' filter on a lens can break such that the sharp shards can then damage the very lens element the filter was intended to 'protect'. The glass in filters is very thin, (a lot thinner than the front lens element) and easily broken.

 

[analog.universe]

Yeah, I always think of filters as schmutz protection, not impact protection. They definitely make things worse when they break. For stuff that happens to the lens that doesn't break it though (cooking splatter, blowing sand, ocean spray, pet's noses, peanut butter, etc..), they're actually pretty helpful.

 

[KmH]

In your list - blowing sand - is the only situation a UV filter might be of value.

I shot portraiture almost daily on the beaches around San Diego for 10 years or so, and never used a filter to protect a lens from blowing sand. After 10 years there was a little wear on the lens coatings, but nothing major.

 

[unpopular]

People put child safe locks on cabinet doors that have dangerous and consumable chemicals in them... People put plastic guards over their electrical outlets... People put water wings on their children when they're learning to swim. People should have the common sense to protect THEIR things in the process of protecting their kid.

LMAO. Tyler. First of all, kids always have peanut butter hands. Secondly, the whole home safety thing is a scam. By the time a kid is able to actually manipulate dangerous items like wall sockets, they're also capable of bypassing any safety feature. Accidents unfortunately do happen even with the most attentive parents.

But your naive sentiment is adorable nonetheless.

Anyway, yeah. The only time you'll see a front element scratch is in flares, which are normally avoided anyway. I had one professor recommend filling in one very nice lens I owned with a scratch with a fine tipped technical pen. But since it really didn't affect the image, I never felt the need to do that.

 

[punch]

I take photos of a lot of dogs and horses and I use the wide angle really close up to their noses to get the look I like, so I wanted the filter because certain labrador retrievers like to sniff and lick the lens. I had read here that the filters were dangerous... but as someone else mentioned, I was more concerned about sludge than breaking. I'm definitely bummed about the resale value... but I suppose any prospects of selling it were very far off, if ever. Lesson learned, anyway.

Oh, and thank you so very much for your concern about my lens, but truly... you have no idea how crafty toddlers with exceptional climbing and fine-motor control skills are. That's clear from your assertion that there's no way anything like that could ever happen to you. Ever. I do have to laugh about that.

 

[Ryan L]

] I had one professor recommend filling in one very nice lens I owned with a scratch with a fine tipped technical pen. But since it really didn't affect the image, I never felt the need to do that.

How does a pencil fill a scratch?

 

[Ryan L]

I'm definitely bummed about the resale value...

I will give you 250 for it right now! lol

 

[naptime]

I'm not irresponsible with my gear, if that's what you're asking.

Kid or not, I wouldn't keep my gear in the line of harm.

People put child safe locks on cabinet doors that have dangerous and consumable chemicals in them... People put plastic guards over their electrical outlets... People put water wings on their children when they're learning to swim. People should have the common sense to protect THEIR things in the process of protecting their kid.

I'm truly sorry that you've only had the lens for two weeks and it's already got some cosmetic damage on it, that really does suck... But you also left it within your toddlers reach... While they were also eating/playing with peanut butter.

it's called an accident for a reason.

they happen.

no matter how well you try to protect things. sometimes, stuff just happens.

 

[unpopular]

] I had one professor recommend filling in one very nice lens I owned with a scratch with a fine tipped technical pen. But since it really didn't affect the image, I never felt the need to do that.

How does a pencil fill a scratch?

not a pencil a pen. The idea is to make it more neutral to the optical system - more like a hair or something on the element than a scratch that will reflect or refract light. Really though, it's not necessary. I just thought I'd mention it.

 

[unpopular]

it's called an accident for a reason.

You wouldn't believe how much a half gallon of cooking oil is until it's on the kitchen floor.

 

[davisphotos]

I am loving all the people that suggest you keep your camera out of the toddler's reach, clearly they do not have children, and have never been around kids. I swear my daughter has super powers, or is secretly a covert spy. I could have something 10 feet off the floor and locked in a safe, and she would still get into it. And kids hands are pretty much aways dirty, and they will smear them on anything in sight.
As far as filters go, I don't have UV filters on any of my lenses, I prefer lens hoods for protection-I have had my lenses saved from numerous scratches and worse by the lens hood.

 

[punch]

Dirty lens article

That is AMAZING... and comforting because the scratch I've got is barely visible and about 0.5cm in length.

Phew.

Thanks to everyone. I thought I was going to have an aneurysm (and a smart, small child for sale).

 

[table1349]

Oogway: There are no accidents.
Shifu: [sighs] Yes, I know. You've already said that twice.
Oogway: That was no accident either.
Shifu: Thrice.

 

[punch]

Soooo... when I look at my lens, it still looks streaky. I'm assuming that's the peanut butter oil... hard to get rid of. Any tips? I'm thinking I'll just take it into a camera shop tomorrow after I see my patients and let them handle it. Or should I?

 

[unpopular]

the drug store sells 95% rubbing alcohol, which is much stronger a solvent than the more typical 70% stuff. If you don't live in a state that banned it, you can also get 99% ethanol from the liquor store (White Lightning or Everclear brand spirits). I am not sure if ethanol or isopropyl would work better.

I clean my lenses periodically with Onyx brand acetone which you can find in the cosmetics section at wal-mart. Acetone is actually a VERY strong solvent, which will strip away paints and finishes, so I can't really recommend it. Rubbing alcohol should be safe.

I just use a cue tip and run it in a circular motion over the lens and then use a lens cloth to remove any stray fibers. Peanut oil is deff going to be a pain to remove.

Why can't these kids use the barrel to focus like a normal person? Why do the fingers ALWAYS have to go on the front element?