rngdmn

I shoot birds with a Nikon D850 using a 500 PF lens. I have attached an NC filter (mostly to protect the lens). Recently I chipped the NC lens (as shown in photo). Does anyone know if this is likely to affect the quality of my images? If so, what might I watch for. I can certainly replace the filter if needed. Thanks!

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

That seems like a pretty big chip. I suspect it will be visible on the edge of your images. Why not experiment with it and find out for certain on your own. At best we can only guess.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Bill_de Loc: US

I think the problem might raise its head if bright light hits the chip. It could cause reflections.

I'm not sure the image itself reaches the edge of the filter.

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russraman Loc: New York City

Could the chip on the filter been caused by a bird strike?

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Why don't you take some test shots?

William Loc: Mississippi

you got a perfect flaw to flare
use it in hard light left/right(@)

R.G. Loc: Scotland

If you place the chip at the top or bottom dead centre it'll minimise the likelihood that it'll be visible in your shots.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Take an image of something. I use a Dawn soap bottle or any other subject you feel appropriate. If you have a lens target that would also work great. I know some guys use a brick wall and then go brick by brick on their review. Anyway, after choosing a target, take two images, one with the NC filter, one without the NC filter. Compare the two images, look toward the edges of the image. See anything, I doubt you will.
You will be fine.
If, on the other hand you see something you do not like, discard the NC filter.
Now, if you point your camera into an area where the sun can enter the lens, which I don't, light reaching the chip COULD disperse light into the lens and on to the sensor.
Normally I do not use NC filters or any filters on any of my lenses. I do however use a lens hood for the ultimate protection of the front glass.
PS. Normally the front element of your lens is much more resilient to damage than you might think. Steve Perry has done a great video on this, you should watch it if you get the chance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0CLPTd6Bds

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Of course testing to see if it does affect images makes sense--in other situations.
However, the chip in the glass is not minor. And, there is no doubt there will be instances, if not many, where the rays of light will be refracted by the 'chip'. Why would you even want to take this chance? You invested a significant amount in the camera and lens, and what are you saving by wondering if your images will be affected?
One more thing to consider. The filter is being used to protect the lens. The filter has been compromised, and another incident may in fact fracture the filter and affect your lens.
Buy a new filter.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Bottom line: Does it affect the images.....
No, use it.
Yes, replace it.

No optical physics analysis necessary.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Bottom line...
It doesn't affect the image until it does. And then what?

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

With a chip like that, I would be suspect of possible damage to the lens the filter was on and also at worst to the frontal plane of the camera body

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Replace it........

JBRIII

I will no doubt be called on this and can only state what I have read and tested. First, I agree that flaring or potentially other circumstances, i.e., imagining a very narrow beam of light, like a laser, only entering thru the chipped area, not going to be good. That said, images are not created with light entering specifically top to bottom, left to right, etc. Light from your feet goes in everywhere and is refracted more or less by where it enters the lens. I.e., light from your feet enters the bottom and is refracted slightly, while light entering from your feed into the top of the lens is severely refracted downward to form the image of your feed (my directions may be reversed, but principle is same). Light enters from everywhere and is refracted depending on it's angle with respect to the lens to form the image). Thus the chip should have a minor effect everywhere if light from the same area around the filter contributes to the image. You could blacken the area and then just lose a little light at worse.
This sounds illogical I know, but try this: Take a photo using any lens, then cover half with cardboard and take an image. What you get is a complete image in either case, just dimmer in the second, covered case. I did this trying to do solar photography and that's happens. Check the web for details on how a lens forms an image. The effect is not the same at the focus point, there part of the image can essentially be removed, i.e., solar coronagraphs.

People do blacked out chips at the edge of telescope lenses if not too severe.