Lens filter saves the day

Not sure what happened but somehow during the FChat fly in this weekend my Canon 70-200 got whacked good.... Lens filter ring was dented and glass was smashed but the lens itself was undamaged. I had to use a file to make some notches in the thing to get it unscrewed but it's all right now.

Anybody else have this happen?

 

Never happened to me before but that's why I always use a filter. I usually use a UV filter but I heard that they now have just normal clear filters that are specifically meant to be used as protection and they are cheaper than UV filters.

 

Actually a lot of people argue that a filter is actually worse for the lens. The front element of a lens, especially an L, is very strong and could take much much more strain than a filter. You also run the risk of the filter breaking and scratching the front element. I can see either way but I personally don't use protective filters on any of my lenses.

 

I don't use filters on my L's. Im too cheap to get good filters....lol.

 

From looking at the thing I think it was more of a blow to the corner of the lens and not a front on impact. It wasn't an expensive filter, just one that I picked up to protect the lens when I first bought it. I have a B+W filter on my 24-105L and it seems like a quality piece. I think I'm going to go ahead and get another filter and keep using them. My stuff gets knocked around a good bit and although I haven't broken anything up until now the filtered have definitely cushioned some blows in the past. The B+W has a nice little dent on the ring from bouncing off a rock when I fell climbing a water fall in Puerto Rico a few months ago. They get bounced around in planes pretty often as well and don't always get treated with much care.

The silver dust is aluminum from filing on the ring so I could get the thing off
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Doesn't look like it was that bad if it didn't shatter the filter, but that would my biggest worry is the filter ring getting bent, thankfully none of my glass has taken much abuse, although my hoods will take a beating from time to time.

 

Yeah, and some people argue that it's safer to not wear a seat belt also.

I use a filter to protect from scratches, I doubt I would ever shatter one.

 

About the only time i use a UV filter for protection is when i am shooting Motocross in case of a stray rock hitting the lens. Now the lens i use is a Sigma 120-200 EX is not cheap nor is the filters that cheap. One thing to remember on most professional lenses the front element is replaceable where as on cheaper lenses the element is not replaceable.

 

Yes, you'll be "thrown clear"!

 

Seat belts don't have the abillity to deteriorate image quality though

 

Unless your eyes get poked out by the steering wheel.

 

How in hell can you poke your eye out by a steering wheel

 

I actually had this happen a few weeks ago while I was in New Zealand. My Nikon 70-200 wouldn't focus and I couldn't figure out why... until I looked at the front and saw this:
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Super fail. That's how.

 

It's a real good idea to use a filter to protect your lens. Why would you want your expensive lens' front element or barrel to take the impact when a disposable filter could instead? Buy quality filters, keep it as clean as you would your lens' front element and there won't be a whit's worth of change in image quality...

Best,
Tom

 

what's your ebay username?

 

Okay good...I thought the answer was going to be: very carefully!!