Is it possible to polish a damaged filter?

Terence · Aug 14, 2006

I received a Tiffen Series 8 orange filter from B&H. It was described as 8+ and arrived with what appeared to be a smudge on one side at the perimeter. It's about 5mm wide and extends around 1/4 of the perimeter. As I haven't found any other Series 8 orange filters (much less, for $15) I'd hate to return it. What are chances I can use rottenstone or some other fine polishing material to remove the damage, or make it less apparent?

I'll be using it on an old SWC/M.

KenM · Aug 14, 2006

I would think that you'll damage the coating if you try and polish it. If the mark is far enough away from the center, I doubt if you'll have any problems....

wfwhitaker · Aug 14, 2006

Terence said:
What are chances I can use rottenstone or some other fine polishing material to remove the damage, or make it less apparent?

None. You'll end up ruining the filter. I'd either use it as-is or send it back and look for a replacement, possibly a step-up adapter to use easily available filters.

Dave Parker · Aug 14, 2006

Unless you have the correct materials and tools, the process of trying to polish glass is not an easy one, as mentioned you will damage the coatings that are on the filter and hand polishing is very nearly impossible with out specialized materials and trying to get an even polish is even more difficult. As will said, your best bet would be to send back and see if another turns up, or get an adapter ring and then you can used standardized threaded filters. You need to shoot it as is, to find out if in fact it will cause problems in the actual image, if it is on the edge, you might find that it won't cause any problems.

Dave Parker
Satin Snow Ground Glass

epatsellis · Aug 14, 2006

terence, a series 8 holder is really close to 67mm, have you tried using a 67mm orange (plentiful) If you want to stay with series filters, KEH has a tiffen series 8 for $13.00

erie

pentaxuser · Aug 14, 2006

KenM said:
I would think that you'll damage the coating if you try and polish it. If the mark is far enough away from the center, I doubt if you'll have any problems....

Along similar lines I managed to chip a polariser quite seriously while on holiday in Crete but decided to take a chance and continue to use it. Nothing ever showed up in any prints. I was new to photography then but later joined a club and one of the experienced members said that unless I used large apertures, I'd probably never see the effect.

pentaxuser

Gerald Koch · Aug 14, 2006

Leica on their website recommends cigarette ashes as a polishing agent for lenses that have experienced fungal damage. There is no reason why it cannot be used for other damage. The ash is a very fine abrasive that will not damage the filter. Another choice would be cerium oxide which is used to polish glass.

Tom Stanworth · Aug 14, 2006

I would try to find a replacement or if this is not likely check to see if it does affect the images. If the images were affected I would not try to polish it out. I seriously doubt that you will be able to rub it down without harmful effect on the image quality. It it does not harm the images the next stage is therapy to stop you thinking about it like a smudge on a TV screen.

FWIW my kids put a minor scratch on my then new expensive TV (2 years back). The glass coating was affected but not the glass surface per se. I can see it if I really look for it but only at certain angles and with difficulty.....but to do so I cannot watch whatever I am watching so figured it is not a problem as it is invisible if I am watching normally. Still, the TV was about 2 weeks old and it took only another few weeks for the same rotter to poke his cute little fingers into the tweeters of the surround sound speakers. Again, the sound is still great.....but if he ever.....

Lessons learned for when number 2 came along...

David A. Goldfarb · Aug 14, 2006

Are you sure it's on the surface? Tiffen filters are glass-gel-glass sandwiches in general, and old ones can separate like old compound lens cells.

Terence · Aug 15, 2006

I think I'll return it. Thanks folks.

Sparky · Aug 15, 2006

Well - you can try your hand at polishing. I've done so successfully in the past with mirrors, etc... not with a lens or filter - but it really shouldn't harm it. I would try using toothpaste and polishing with a dremel mototool with a cotton buffing wheel. Even if there's a coating - you won't be able to get through a coating with that. Not unless you spend an hour or so on it.

Is it possible to polish a damaged filter?

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