Avoid UV filter by Promaster! at DVinfo.net

Jared White · April 25th, 2007, 01:15 AM

Hi everyone,

I bought a Promaster UV filter a couple of months ago for my XH A1 since I wanted to protect the lens, and subsequently took a whole bunch of footage out in the bright sun near the beach while on vacation.

Just recently I started watching through all the footage I took (yeah, I know...lame...) and realized to my horror that much of it is all but ruined. Smear, dust spots, outrageous flare, all kinds of stuff...and I remember cleaning the filter as best I could tell.

So last night, I took the filter off the camera and peered into a bright light with my eyeball, and found out that it was indeed smeary and spotted. I tried really really hard to clean the UV filter with Promaster's cleaning formula and wipes...didn't work. In fact, it practically was making it worse! Then I tried using water and soft cotton rag to clean it, and that worked a bit better, but it still wasn't working very well. I could stick it over my own eyeball and the picture would get smeary.

Of course, YMMV, but I'm definitely throwing this thing in the closet and getting something usable. It sounds like the Hoya Supercoated filter is well-respected, so I'll give that a try. I shot some test footage this morning with my bare lens, and it looked awesome, so I know the camera's fine. I don't want to degrade the image quality of a $4K camera with a cheap filter!

Regards, Jared

Don Palomaki · April 25th, 2007, 04:23 AM

Just keep in mind that dust/dirt can be a problam with any filter, although some glass may attract/retain it more effectively than other.

Trish Kerr · April 25th, 2007, 06:12 AM

I was recommended a B+W UV-Haze filter - I think the equivalent is here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

I've only wiped mine with a lens cloth so far. But I've had very little, if any, flaring but you do have to watch for debris. I only had to ignore a spot once to regret it.

Trish

Doug Graham · April 25th, 2007, 07:46 AM

For cleaning filters and lenses, I use a "Lens Pen". This little gadget has what looks like a rubber suction cup on one end, and a soft brush on the other. Works GREAT.

An alternative I've used are the microfiber glasses cleaning cloths available at your optician. However, I was told that these could damage some coatings.

Meryem Ersoz · April 25th, 2007, 07:48 AM

i think this is a promaster-specific problem. i had the same issue and had to throw it away.

avoid cheap glass....

April 25th, 2007, 01:15 AM	#1
Jared White New Boot Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 5	Avoid UV filter by Promaster! Hi everyone, I bought a Promaster UV filter a couple of months ago for my XH A1 since I wanted to protect the lens, and subsequently took a whole bunch of footage out in the bright sun near the beach while on vacation. Just recently I started watching through all the footage I took (yeah, I know...lame...) and realized to my horror that much of it is all but ruined. Smear, dust spots, outrageous flare, all kinds of stuff...and I remember cleaning the filter as best I could tell. So last night, I took the filter off the camera and peered into a bright light with my eyeball, and found out that it was indeed smeary and spotted. I tried really really hard to clean the UV filter with Promaster's cleaning formula and wipes...didn't work. In fact, it practically was making it worse! Then I tried using water and soft cotton rag to clean it, and that worked a bit better, but it still wasn't working very well. I could stick it over my own eyeball and the picture would get smeary. Of course, YMMV, but I'm definitely throwing this thing in the closet and getting something usable. It sounds like the Hoya Supercoated filter is well-respected, so I'll give that a try. I shot some test footage this morning with my bare lens, and it looked awesome, so I know the camera's fine. I don't want to degrade the image quality of a $4K camera with a cheap filter! Regards, Jared

April 25th, 2007, 04:23 AM	#2
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Just keep in mind that dust/dirt can be a problam with any filter, although some glass may attract/retain it more effectively than other. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

April 25th, 2007, 07:46 AM	#4
Doug Graham Video Bear Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Stafford, VA, USA Posts: 45	For cleaning filters and lenses, I use a "Lens Pen". This little gadget has what looks like a rubber suction cup on one end, and a soft brush on the other. Works GREAT. An alternative I've used are the microfiber glasses cleaning cloths available at your optician. However, I was told that these could damage some coatings. __________________ Regards, Doug Graham

April 25th, 2007, 06:12 AM	#3
Trish Kerr Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 294	I was recommended a B+W UV-Haze filter - I think the equivalent is here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search I've only wiped mine with a lens cloth so far. But I've had very little, if any, flaring but you do have to watch for debris. I only had to ignore a spot once to regret it. Trish

April 25th, 2007, 07:48 AM	#5
Meryem Ersoz Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 3,015	i think this is a promaster-specific problem. i had the same issue and had to throw it away. avoid cheap glass....