Chip in Nikon NC filter (Page 2): Take a few shots, and let us know. I'm guessing you can keep using it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Take a few shots, and let us know. I'm guessing you can keep using it.

Old Coot

rngdmn wrote:

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!

I have a similar size chip in my 18-135 lens. I cannot see any effects from the chip in any zoom position.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Bad things happen to good people- bad things happen to good filters.

You will spend more time testing and fiddling around with a damaged filter than it is worth. It might test OK and whatever real or imagined defect will suddenly show up in an important shot. Glass can be funny- a chip can turn into a crack and can shatter with a minor impact which is antithetical to "protection".

It is time to let it go. If you don't want to give it a decent burial, coat the edges with clear nail polish and use it for a defusion/vignette attachment.

Sadly, I speak on this topic from expereince! I have a small section of a drawer called the filter graveyard! I enjoy reading all the scientific opinions on light refraction- it makes me nostalgic for optics class back in school but in practical day-to-day stuff, I am a believer in Murphy's Law!

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

Bad things happen to good people- bad things happe... (show quote)

👍👍👍

rngdmn

Thanks to all of you who took the time to offer your insights! I learned a lot just by reading and considering the diverse opinions.

BE KIND

rngdmn wrote:

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!

If it were mine, I'd replace it immediately. If you don't wish to do that the obvious thing to do is to take some photos in a variety of lighting conditions and you'll have your answer.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Easiest way to check if it would affect your photos would be to cover it with a small piece of black tape. That will avoid glare from light hitting the area of the chip and if it will affect the image, the black tape would make the effect larger and thereby noticeable.

Using the filter with the chip at the top or bottom is probably a good idea since rectangular images basically crop off the top and bottom of the image so that will minimize the effect of the chip.

This is something simple you can do while you wait for a new filter to be delivered.

Bill_de Loc: US

I wonder, if the chip is causing reflections, would a small drop of crazy glue dull the spot without doing any damage to the image.

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amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Particularly since it's on a powerful telephoto lens, you will not see the chip in your images... EXCEPT in certain lighting conditions when it will cause a lot of flare.

You could minimize the flare with some black paint in the chip. How well this will work on a lens that includes a Fresnel element is anyone's guess.

However, a better solution would be to replace the filter. After all, that's a $125 filter on a $3600 lens. Why risk compromising the images from it in any way.

rngdmn

Many interesting views! I’m recalling a close up photo I took of a Black-throated Blue Warbler that was ruined by a flare. No idea of the cause! It would have been worth the cost of a filter to have avoided that unexplained mishap unrelated to the chip. I have a new filter on the way.

Incidentally, the Steve Perry video makes a pretty good case for skipping the filter altogether.

Bill_de Loc: US

rngdmn wrote:

Incidentally, the Steve Perry video makes a pretty good case for skipping the filter altogether.

Except, without the filter, the OP may be asking what he should do about the chip in his lens.

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flyboy61 Loc: The Great American Desert

rngdmn wrote:

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!

It may affect a portion of your image, but on an edge. A trick I learned from a camera repairman in the Military...whenever they got a chip or other mar on the lenses of the Graflex 4X5 press cameras in use then, they would fill the defect with flat black paint, and continue to use it. Seeing as it is not a lens element, it may work for you. What diameter is your lens? Ebay often has good-quality filters for fairly reasonable prices. Whenever I can find Sunpak Platinum series filters in my sizes, I buy them, and Hoya makes good ones, too.

V2volk Loc: St. Louis area

What size is it, I may have one to sell if you need.