Filter Problem (damage): I have just returned from a Med cruise, and took over 1000 photos. The weather was great, bright sunny days. Only one overcast day while on the Island of...

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I have just returned from a Med cruise, and took over 1000 photos. The weather was great, bright sunny days. Only one overcast day while on the Island of Capri. I downloaded my photos daily back at the ship, but did not process them in Elements 8 until today. I started to notice a small blurr at the edge of each photo taken after the 5th day. The blurr was located at the edge of the photo, and seemed to be consistant with the same area. I checked the lens, both front and back glass, clear as a bell (New Tamron 18-270 bought just for this trip) I then noticed on the polorizer, a small area where the coating seems to be gone. The polorizer is a Marumi CP. I am wondering if there is a warrenty on this CP. It was new out of the container when I started the trip. I may just call the dealer and see what they say. I would like some input from HHG members.

Photog1 Loc: North America

Who is HHG?

I would take or send the filter back to the seller and ask for a refund or a replacement. They should be able to see the damage as easily as you did.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I gave them a call as soon as they opened. The person I spoke to told me to bring it back for replacement, or credit. I'm thinking of getting a Hoya, or B-W. I know I'll spend a little more money, but I've had great luck with those two brands.

les_stockton Loc: Eastern Oklahoma

I don't use filters very often but I know people who do. I have been told over and over, and I believe them (even moreso after your experience) that it is best to get the high priced filters and to avoid the budget filters. People (including myself) try to save a buck by getting lower end filters (thinking, how much difference could there really be?), only to end up not being happy and having to spring for the higher end ones anyway; so ending up spending more money than if just purchasing the better ones to begin with.

I haven't been burned, so I can't say for sure, but everyone I know that use filters a lot, says to just go ahead and buy the better filters to begin with and save yourself anguish and hassle.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I just got back from Bennetts Camera, in Metairie, La. They tried to clean the filter, which after careful examination it was determined to have some type of oil on it. After a very intensive cleaning, the filter is as good as new.

les_stockton Loc: Eastern Oklahoma

Good to know. I hope they told you what solution they used to clean off the oil; just in case it happens again.

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

les_stockton wrote:

I don't use filters very often but I know people w... (show quote)

I got a filter from Ritz--I thought $50.00 was high for a 52mm polarizer. Just about everything I shoot with it looks like it was shot through a screen.

les_stockton Loc: Eastern Oklahoma

hlmichel wrote:

Just about everything I shoot with it looks like it was shot through a screen.

That is disappointing. If I'd paid that much, I would likely take it back and ask them "what am I doing wrong"?

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

Remember, a CP is made to used 90 degrees from the sun. You do have to rotate the filter to adjust for the light. Find a solid subject with a bright sky, line up the dot on the top of the polarizer, take a photo, be sure you are 90 degrees of the sun, rotate the polarizer 45 degrees, take another photo, then again at 90. Load the photos into your computer and see if you are still shooting through a screen.

glojo Loc: South Devon, England

Bill Emmett wrote:

I just got back from Bennetts Camera, in Metairie, La. They tried to clean the filter, which after careful examination it was determined to have some type of oil on it. After a very intensive cleaning, the filter is as good as new.

How on earth did that get on your filter? Clearly it happened whilst on your holiday and knowing how it got there might be a warning to all of us?

ephraim Imperio

glojo wrote:

Bill Emmett wrote:

I just got back from Bennetts Camera, in Metairie, La. They tried to clean the filter, which after careful examination it was determined to have some type of oil on it. After a very intensive cleaning, the filter is as good as new.

How on earth did that get on your filter? Clearly it happened whilst on your holiday and knowing how it got there might be a warning to all of us?

Probably from the fingers or thumb of his hands. It is called "sebum". Sebum is an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of the skin to prevent the skin and hair follicles from drying. It is very difficult to clean sebum when it gets on the surface of lens and filters.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Bill Emmett has it right. UV or Clear used all the time, OK, but not CP Filters. There was a posting yesterday about filters, in that I provided references regarding CPFs. They are breed unto them selves. $$ may not be the best for your camera, because the lens and camera focus systems are different for different cameras. The material used to polarize is simple enough, but the 1/4 wave filter material varies with manufacture and perhaps between batches. The 1/4 wave is what scatters the polarized light and so allows the digital camera to focus.

Regarding price, before the "oil" problem and after cleaning, I gather that your photos were sharp. So, why buy a hi $ filter if the one you have now works fine... iffin it ain't broke, don't fix it.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

A CP filter is not a filter you put on and leave on. They work best when the sun is 90 degrees in relation to your subject.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

Be very careful of Sunblock and Insect Repellent. Many of them contain substances harmful to Filters, LCD screens, Sunglasses, some plastics...
I kid you not!

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

I beg to differ with some esteemed regulars on the use of polarizers. Polarizers are useful for much more than darkening the blue sky. Actually darkening the sky was the main issue when we used film because the film emulsion was less sensitive to blue light which (with slides) produced weak blues in the sky. Polarizers also reduce reflections from water surfaces including water droplets in the air, water droplets on leaves and grass as well as lakes and streams. Images shot through polarizers, whether they are turned to maximize the effect or not, are typically more vivid and display greater dynamic range. When shooting outdoors, particularly in bright sunlight or if there is water in the scene, I use a polarizer. I would say the polarizers are mostly on and only occasionally come off when I want the effect of reflections to show in the shot. My favourites are Rodenstocks because of the very high quality and brass construction.