Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
just curious
Page 1 of 2 next>
May 14, 2021 21:12:50   #
PoppieJ Loc: North Georgia
 
I saw an add for a uv filter. The add said that the filter could survive a one hundred foot drop. This got me thinking. What happens to the elements in a lens if you drop it. Certainly not a one hundred foot drop but just an accidental drop. Maybe some cosmetic damage, but if nothing seems seriously damaged on the outside what are the implications for the inside?

Reply
May 14, 2021 21:48:53   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
The filter alone might survive a 100 foot drop, but the lens it's attached to will not.
Inside of the filter? If the glass doesn't break or get scratched, it should be fine.

Reply
May 14, 2021 22:07:12   #
Orphoto Loc: Oregon
 
I would be more interested in the optical quality of that filter rather than its plasticity.

As to lenses, there is an awful lot that can go wrong. I've had a couple seriously damaged from drops of about shoulder height. You will get a few horror stories here i'm sure.

Now, as to unseen lurking damage. Much depends on the quality and robustness of the construction. And it is not automatic that metal is better than plastics. My impression is that the low cost kit style lenses have a high chance of becoming disposable after even a waist high drop. The smooth camming actions internally depend on close tolerances. Focus/zoom rings often turn much more stiffly. Glass elements need to be carefully aligned. Drops can lead to decentering and other issues. Autofocus and IS/VR elements will be specially at risk.

I suggest that any lens surviving a scary drop be checked out by your local repair shop, who are particularly skilled at evaluating such results.

Reply
 
 
May 15, 2021 06:50:02   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
PoppieJ wrote:
I saw an add for a uv filter. The add said that the filter could survive a one hundred foot drop. This got me thinking. What happens to the elements in a lens if you drop it. Certainly not a one hundred foot drop but just an accidental drop. Maybe some cosmetic damage, but if nothing seems seriously damaged on the outside what are the implications for the inside?


The Key phrase here is, the "FILTER" could survive a one hundred foot drop. It said nothing of the lens or camera. It pays to really read ads closely.

Reply
May 15, 2021 08:10:41   #
camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.
 
Nobody needs a UV filter for digital photography. A lens falling to the ground or even worse to concrete will suffer enough damage to require fixing or in many cases a trash can.
By the way, In my many years photographing I never used a UV filter for "protection." I let a Smith Wesson take care of that.

Reply
May 15, 2021 08:31:46   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
Filter/no filter;
Filter/no filter;
Filter/no filter;
Filter/no filter;
Filter/no filter;
Filter/no filter;
Filter/no filter;

We get it........
Everyone believes THEIR way is right and justified and the "correct" way.
And will keep professing it until they die.

I may not NEED one, but I WANT one,
just like any other piece of equipment.

I don't use them,
so you shouldn't either.

Reply
May 15, 2021 08:54:44   #
V2volk Loc: St. Louis area
 
PoppieJ wrote:
I saw an add for a uv filter. The add said that the filter could survive a one hundred foot drop. This got me thinking. What happens to the elements in a lens if you drop it. Certainly not a one hundred foot drop but just an accidental drop. Maybe some cosmetic damage, but if nothing seems seriously damaged on the outside what are the implications for the inside?

Well, got my morning laugh completed! Sure hope nobody reads this and tries it on a lens.

Reply
 
 
May 15, 2021 09:12:00   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
V2volk wrote:
Well, got my morning laugh completed! Sure hope nobody reads this and tries it on a lens.


Reply
May 15, 2021 09:53:02   #
IDguy Loc: Idaho
 
Orphoto wrote:
I would be more interested in the optical quality of that filter rather than its plasticity.

As to lenses, there is an awful lot that can go wrong. I've had a couple seriously damaged from drops of about shoulder height. You will get a few horror stories here i'm sure.

Now, as to unseen lurking damage. Much depends on the quality and robustness of the construction. And it is not automatic that metal is better than plastics. My impression is that the low cost kit style lenses have a high chance of becoming disposable after even a waist high drop. The smooth camming actions internally depend on close tolerances. Focus/zoom rings often turn much more stiffly. Glass elements need to be carefully aligned. Drops can lead to decentering and other issues. Autofocus and IS/VR elements will be specially at risk.

I suggest that any lens surviving a scary drop be checked out by your local repair shop, who are particularly skilled at evaluating such results.
I would be more interested in the optical quality ... (show quote)


Most of us do not have local repair shops.

Reply
May 15, 2021 11:24:18   #
sb Loc: Florida's East Coast
 
If you wonder about dropping a lens - or even wonder why lenses are so expensive, watch this video on Youtube - produced by Canon - that describes what goes in to a lens. It is pretty impressive. There is SO much to screw up royally by dropping your lens!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib6mPL-NtfY

Reply
May 15, 2021 12:07:29   #
JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington
 
I had an experience leaving my camera bag unzipped and my Canon 24-70 L and 70-200 L both dropped about 3-4 feet to the concrete garage floor. The 70-200 was on my 5d MK II and had the most noticeable damage to the UV filter and a dent on the front edge of the lens. the 24-70 appeared undamaged but when I mounted it and tried to zoom, it was very stiff and I could hear a grating sound.

Fortunately both lenses were repaired but the cost was about $750.

Reply
 
 
May 15, 2021 13:01:14   #
wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
 
PoppieJ wrote:
I saw an add for a uv filter. The add said that the filter could survive a one hundred foot drop. This got me thinking. What happens to the elements in a lens if you drop it. Certainly not a one hundred foot drop but just an accidental drop. Maybe some cosmetic damage, but if nothing seems seriously damaged on the outside what are the implications for the inside?


In the new Olympus 150-400 f4.5 Pro IS X1.25, there are 28 elements in 18 groups. The alignment of everything is critical and is a large part of the $7500 price tag. And it's ability to align with the matched X1.4 and X2 teleconverters is just as critical to reach the 35mm angle of view range of 300mm to 2000mm. If a hard drop misaligns anything, the image quality degrades quickly. And the same goes for any Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, and other long telephoto lenses.

Reply
May 15, 2021 13:18:09   #
wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
 
billnikon wrote:
The Key phrase here is, the "FILTER" could survive a one hundred foot drop. It said nothing of the lens or camera. It pays to really read ads closely.


I saw the story too. It was just the filter that dropped and it was a story and not an ad. The filter suffered minor damage and was usable. The "exception" but hardly the "rule". The highest known survival from a failed parachute is 12,000 feet. How many other people have had a failed parachute at 12,000 feet and survived? I know I would not like a failed parachute at 12,000 feet and I know I would not expect my filter, no matter what brand, to survive a 100' drop.

Reply
May 15, 2021 14:25:22   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
PoppieJ wrote:
I saw an add for a uv filter. The add said that the filter could survive a one hundred foot drop. This got me thinking. What happens to the elements in a lens if you drop it. Certainly not a one hundred foot drop but just an accidental drop. Maybe some cosmetic damage, but if nothing seems seriously damaged on the outside what are the implications for the inside?


Watch this video. It answers your question very well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0CLPTd6Bds

Of course, if me, my camera, my lens and my UV filter all fall 100 feet, it probably won't matter to me if the filter survives.

Reply
May 15, 2021 15:12:49   #
FotoHog Loc: on Cloud 9
 
PoppieJ wrote:
I saw an add for a uv filter. The add said that the filter could survive a one hundred foot drop. This got me thinking. What happens to the elements in a lens if you drop it. Certainly not a one hundred foot drop but just an accidental drop. Maybe some cosmetic damage, but if nothing seems seriously damaged on the outside what are the implications for the inside?


It's a marketing ploy.
With their subliminal ad the manufacturer hopes to influence the buyer to think that their filter will protect a lens better than any other. The filter all by itself may actually survive a 100 ft drop.

Reply
Page 1 of 2 next>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.