Filter touching lens

Just received my D60 and 24-85 Canon lens from B&H (ordered 3/25 shipped 4/12). The lens has a Tiffen 67mm UV filter on it, also from B&H. While shooting at the zoo today, I took a look at the lens and noticed a small translucent spot in the center of the lens, about 1mm in diameter. I unscrewed the filter to see if it was on the lens or filter, and the spot disappeared. When screwing it back on, the spot reappears, and I realized that the spot is caused by the filter glass is touching my lens! It was only visible when viewing the lens under fairly bright lighting -- I was sitting in the shade on a sunny day.

Needless to say, I am bugged. The filter which I bought for protection may be damaging my lens instead. The lens seems to have no damage on it, but I will be returning the filter. Has anyone else noticed this with this combination of lens / filter? I'm wondering if this is a design flaw or a rare defect.

Pat

If that's true, the lens may be more suspectable than the filter. The lens front thread may be damaged and allowed the filter to go beyond, but that's extremely rare. Also the front element of the lens should be slightly behind the innder most filter thread given its 24mm, was that bad?

You mentioned the filter was on the lens. Did they come shipped to you that way or you put the filter on yourself?

Also make sure you are not seeing a typical glare ...

ppai said:

Just received my D60 and 24-85 Canon lens from B&H (ordered 3/25
shipped 4/12). The lens has a Tiffen 67mm UV filter on it, also
from B&H. While shooting at the zoo today, I took a look at the
lens and noticed a small translucent spot in the center of the
lens, about 1mm in diameter. I unscrewed the filter to see if it
was on the lens or filter, and the spot disappeared. When screwing
it back on, the spot reappears, and I realized that the spot is
caused by the filter glass is touching my lens! It was only
visible when viewing the lens under fairly bright lighting -- I was
sitting in the shade on a sunny day.

Needless to say, I am bugged. The filter which I bought for
protection may be damaging my lens instead. The lens seems to
have no damage on it, but I will be returning the filter. Has
anyone else noticed this with this combination of lens / filter?
I'm wondering if this is a design flaw or a rare defect.

Pat

Click to expand...

I was concerned about something like this happening with my 16-35mm lens, in which the front element looks like it might stick out far enough to touch a screw-on filter.

So, I placed a fragment of lens tissue on the lens, screwed the filter down tight, and rocked the lens to see if the tissue was jammed.. it just floated around no problemo.

Try it with yours.

I've read reports of filters touching lens on other forums. I don't remember which forum or which lens though. Sorry. The solution however is to purchase the low profile/thin filters.

ppai said:

Just received my D60 and 24-85 Canon lens from B&H (ordered 3/25
shipped 4/12). The lens has a Tiffen 67mm UV filter on it, also
from B&H. While shooting at the zoo today, I took a look at the
lens and noticed a small translucent spot in the center of the
lens, about 1mm in diameter. I unscrewed the filter to see if it
was on the lens or filter, and the spot disappeared. When screwing
it back on, the spot reappears, and I realized that the spot is
caused by the filter glass is touching my lens! It was only
visible when viewing the lens under fairly bright lighting -- I was
sitting in the shade on a sunny day.

Needless to say, I am bugged. The filter which I bought for
protection may be damaging my lens instead. The lens seems to
have no damage on it, but I will be returning the filter. Has
anyone else noticed this with this combination of lens / filter?
I'm wondering if this is a design flaw or a rare defect.

Pat

Click to expand...

Jay Bean said:

Sorry. The solution however is to purchase the low profile/thin filters.

Click to expand...

I don't thick filters have anything to do with the touch of lens. Regardless of thickness, all filters sit above the last thread line of the lens. The thicker the further away from the lens. It must be a lens issue or the filter has an inward "dented" glass surface? 8*)

Sorry Jay, but that doesn't make sense to me. The slim vs regular is only different by the exterior of the rim.

It could be the filter is not entirely flat, so I would buy a better quality filter (B&W, Heliopan and Hoya Super HMC). Mount it but not overly tight on screw in.

Jay Bean said:

I've read reports of filters touching lens on other forums. I
don't remember which forum or which lens though. Sorry. The
solution however is to purchase the low profile/thin filters.

Click to expand...

I took a quick photo with my point and shoot to show the curvature of the front element. It looks like the element projects above the bottom thread, but I don't want to get my fingers near the lens to see if this is true. See photos below. Will try Mark's suggestion on using a scrap of lens paper to see if there really is clearance.

Thanks for the quick replies! I appreciate the suggestions.

http://www.pbase.com/image/1736184

http://www.pbase.com/image/1736185

EricF said:

If that's true, the lens may be more suspectable than the filter.
The lens front thread may be damaged and allowed the filter to go
beyond, but that's extremely rare. Also the front element of the
lens should be slightly behind the innder most filter thread given
its 24mm, was that bad?

You mentioned the filter was on the lens. Did they come shipped to
you that way or you put the filter on yourself?

Also make sure you are not seeing a typical glare ...

Click to expand...

Pat,

I've seen this before. Rewturn the Tiffem and try a Hoya Pro UMC or a B+W or a Heliopan. Low profile will not help this.

Regards,

Mark K.

I have heard of this before esp when ultra slim filters are used.

Jason

ppai said:

Just received my D60 and 24-85 Canon lens from B&H (ordered 3/25
shipped 4/12). The lens has a Tiffen 67mm UV filter on it, also
from B&H. While shooting at the zoo today, I took a look at the
lens and noticed a small translucent spot in the center of the
lens, about 1mm in diameter. I unscrewed the filter to see if it
was on the lens or filter, and the spot disappeared. When screwing
it back on, the spot reappears, and I realized that the spot is
caused by the filter glass is touching my lens! It was only
visible when viewing the lens under fairly bright lighting -- I was
sitting in the shade on a sunny day.

Needless to say, I am bugged. The filter which I bought for
protection may be damaging my lens instead. The lens seems to
have no damage on it, but I will be returning the filter. Has
anyone else noticed this with this combination of lens / filter?
I'm wondering if this is a design flaw or a rare defect.

Pat

Click to expand...

PPAI;

based on what I can see in this photo:

http://www.pbase.com/image/1736185

it looks like somehow the filter is on on backwards???

With Tiffen filters, the logo and writing on the filter should always be readable right side up with the camera lens pointing away from you, just as you would normally shoot the camera.

In your picture, the writing appears to be readable right side up if the lens was facing toward your chest... is this possibly the problem???

Also in the picture, there is thread visible... this is not normal either. The (visable) thread should always be on the inside of the lip of the filter, not the outside.

Jason Stoller said:

Jason

ppai said:

Just received my D60 and 24-85 Canon lens from B&H (ordered 3/25
shipped 4/12). The lens has a Tiffen 67mm UV filter on it, also
from B&H. While shooting at the zoo today, I took a look at the
lens and noticed a small translucent spot in the center of the
lens, about 1mm in diameter. I unscrewed the filter to see if it
was on the lens or filter, and the spot disappeared. When screwing
it back on, the spot reappears, and I realized that the spot is
caused by the filter glass is touching my lens! It was only
visible when viewing the lens under fairly bright lighting -- I was
sitting in the shade on a sunny day.

Needless to say, I am bugged. The filter which I bought for
protection may be damaging my lens instead. The lens seems to
have no damage on it, but I will be returning the filter. Has
anyone else noticed this with this combination of lens / filter?
I'm wondering if this is a design flaw or a rare defect.

Pat

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Yep I agree with Troy! That filter is definately on backwards. I cannot imagine that you even have it screwed on the lens unless its forced on that way. The threads of the filter usually go inside the lens itself so its definately on backwards.

Jason

TroyB said:

based on what I can see in this photo:

http://www.pbase.com/image/1736185

it looks like somehow the filter is on on backwards???

With Tiffen filters, the logo and writing on the filter should
always be readable right side up with the camera lens pointing away
from you, just as you would normally shoot the camera.

In your picture, the writing appears to be readable right side up
if the lens was facing toward your chest... is this possibly the
problem???

Also in the picture, there is thread visible... this is not normal
either. The (visable) thread should always be on the inside of the
lip of the filter, not the outside.

Jason Stoller said:

Jason

ppai said:

Just received my D60 and 24-85 Canon lens from B&H (ordered 3/25
shipped 4/12). The lens has a Tiffen 67mm UV filter on it, also
from B&H. While shooting at the zoo today, I took a look at the
lens and noticed a small translucent spot in the center of the
lens, about 1mm in diameter. I unscrewed the filter to see if it
was on the lens or filter, and the spot disappeared. When screwing
it back on, the spot reappears, and I realized that the spot is
caused by the filter glass is touching my lens! It was only
visible when viewing the lens under fairly bright lighting -- I was
sitting in the shade on a sunny day.

Needless to say, I am bugged. The filter which I bought for
protection may be damaging my lens instead. The lens seems to
have no damage on it, but I will be returning the filter. Has
anyone else noticed this with this combination of lens / filter?
I'm wondering if this is a design flaw or a rare defect.

Pat

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

ummm it also appears that the lens cap is on (note the squeeze grip release thing) and that the filter is attached on top of it (???). i don't understand...

TroyB said:

based on what I can see in this photo:

http://www.pbase.com/image/1736185

it looks like somehow the filter is on on backwards???

With Tiffen filters, the logo and writing on the filter should
always be readable right side up with the camera lens pointing away
from you, just as you would normally shoot the camera.

In your picture, the writing appears to be readable right side up
if the lens was facing toward your chest... is this possibly the
problem???

Also in the picture, there is thread visible... this is not normal
either. The (visable) thread should always be on the inside of the
lip of the filter, not the outside.

Jason Stoller said:

Jason

ppai said:

Just received my D60 and 24-85 Canon lens from B&H (ordered 3/25
shipped 4/12). The lens has a Tiffen 67mm UV filter on it, also
from B&H. While shooting at the zoo today, I took a look at the
lens and noticed a small translucent spot in the center of the
lens, about 1mm in diameter. I unscrewed the filter to see if it
was on the lens or filter, and the spot disappeared. When screwing
it back on, the spot reappears, and I realized that the spot is
caused by the filter glass is touching my lens! It was only
visible when viewing the lens under fairly bright lighting -- I was
sitting in the shade on a sunny day.

Needless to say, I am bugged. The filter which I bought for
protection may be damaging my lens instead. The lens seems to
have no damage on it, but I will be returning the filter. Has
anyone else noticed this with this combination of lens / filter?
I'm wondering if this is a design flaw or a rare defect.

Pat

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

ok, I think I got it. He simply laid the filter on the lens with the cap on (so as to not scratch the front element)...took the picture, then rotated it. The filter "is on" backwards because he is trying to show you the "underside"

TroyB said:

PPAI;

based on what I can see in this photo:

http://www.pbase.com/image/1736185

it looks like somehow the filter is on on backwards???

Click to expand...

Some superwide angle lens will protrude beyond the mount. In those case, there are no threads. They usually provide a rear filter holder for gel filters. Try another brand of filters. If that does not work, but a step up ring and change the filter size.

Sorry, I've been away from my computer for a while.

Yes, mmmdonut, you've got it. I just wanted to show the underside of the filter so that people could see how much clearance was available from the "bottom" of the filter ring to the glass. The filter is flipped over and sitting on the lens cap. The photo is rotated 90 degrees, because I thought it would appear directly in this window, and it would be easier to see without scrolling the image.

Anyway, I took one more photo of the "spot" which you can see here when the lens is screwed down (not even tight, just slightly snug).I cleaned the lens and filter and then cringed a little as I did this. The striped pattern in the reflection is simply sunlight filtering through the blinds in the window. The arrow indicates the spot. It's barely visible in the photo, but clearer as I look at it here. Note also the scratches and such on the threads of the filter -- that's how I got it from B&H. I thought maybe someone used it and then returned it, and then it got sold to me.

http://www.pbase.com/image/1739145/large

Will be returning the filter for a new one suggested here. Thanks again everyone!

Pat

mmmdonut said:

TroyB said:

PPAI;

based on what I can see in this photo:

http://www.pbase.com/image/1736185

it looks like somehow the filter is on on backwards???

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Just wanted to let you know that I have that EXACT combo and my filter does NOT touch the lens. I tried the "tissue test" and it passed. It sounds like your filter is messed up.

Good luck!

Mark

I posted a photo showing the filter screwed on and the resulting "spot" a few minutes ago. Here's a link to a larger 1600X1200 photo which might help if you are curious about what I'm seeing:

http://www.pbase.com/image/1739145/original

Photo information is repeated below. Please pardon the redundancy if you've seen the previous post.

ppai said:

Yes, mmmdonut, you've got it. I just wanted to show the underside
of the filter so that people could see how much clearance was
available from the "bottom" of the filter ring to the glass. The
filter is flipped over and sitting on the lens cap. The photo is
rotated 90 degrees, because I thought it would appear directly in
this window, and it would be easier to see without scrolling the
image.

Anyway, I took one more photo of the "spot" which you can see here
when the lens is screwed down (not even tight, just slightly
snug).I cleaned the lens and filter and then cringed a little as I
did this. The striped pattern in the reflection is simply sunlight
filtering through the blinds in the window. The arrow indicates
the spot. It's barely visible in the photo, but clearer as I look
at it here. Note also the scratches and such on the threads of the
filter -- that's how I got it from B&H. I thought maybe someone
used it and then returned it, and then it got sold to me.

http://www.pbase.com/image/1739145/large

Will be returning the filter for a new one suggested here. Thanks
again everyone!

Pat

mmmdonut said:

TroyB said:

PPAI;

based on what I can see in this photo:

http://www.pbase.com/image/1736185

it looks like somehow the filter is on on backwards???

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...