New Kenko filters are unusable.

[jdcope]

Now, I bought these on ebay, and I get the whole "caveat emptor" thing. These are Kenko filters sold as a pair, new (for $10, shipped, so maybe that was my clue), and the foil seals were intact when I received them. See the pictures for how they look. I have tried cleaning each side of the filters thoroughly, and nothing helps. is this common with older filters? Or is it just a garbage brand? I thought Kenko would be ok.

 

[John King]

Now, I bought these on ebay, and I get the whole "caveat emptor" thing. These are Kenko filters sold as a pair, new (for $10, shipped, so maybe that was my clue), and the foil seals were intact when I received them. See the pictures for how they look. I have tried cleaning each side of the filters thoroughly, and nothing helps. is this common with older filters? Or is it just a garbage brand? I thought Kenko would be ok.

That looks like fungus to me.

Do not contaminate any of your other photo gear with them ...

They are both a bin job.

 

[jdcope]

Should I toss the lens pen?

 

[John King]

Should I toss the lens pen?

Definitely!

And anything that's been in contact with them.

 

[jdcope]

I did put the polarizer on a lens to see how it looked through the camera. Hopefully it won't be an issue.

 

[John King]

Just clean the front element and surrounds with alcohol or lens cleaning fluid (eye glasses cleaner) a couple of times.

 

[DeeJayK]

Don't bin them, mark them up and resell them as Kenko Black Pro Mist filters.

- K

 

[DeeJayK]

Don't bin them, mark them up and resell them as Kenko Black Pro Mist filters.

- K

In case it's not clear, this is a weak attempt at humor. You should obviously follow Sir King's advice here. Thankfully, you're only out $10 (and a Lenspen).

- K

 

[retiredfromlife]

Should I toss the lens pen?

With regard to lens pens, i would never use a cheap one on a lens, filter maybe but not a lens.

 

[jdcope]

On the upside, even though the seller said no returns, I sent them the pictures of the filters, and they gave me a refund and told me to throw the filters away.

 

[agentlossing]

On the upside, even though the seller said no returns, I sent them the pictures of the filters, and they gave me a refund and told me to throw the filters away.

You could try boiling the filters in water and then cleaning them and setting them aside to see if the fungus survives. If it's all on the outside of the glass, I would think that would take care of it. On the other hand, if the fungus has damaged optical coatings, then it's probably not worth using them on your lenses.

 

[jdcope]

You could try boiling the filters in water and then cleaning them and setting them aside to see if the fungus survives. If it's all on the outside of the glass, I would think that would take care of it. On the other hand, if the fungus has damaged optical coatings, then it's probably not worth using them on your lenses.

Nah, I already tossed them. Its not worth the hassle. The polarizer probably wouldnt survive anyway.

 

[doady]

I never even heard of lens fungus until seeing a thread here about "strange marks" on a lens here a few months ago, and now there's filter fungus as well. I haven't seen it on any of my old filters from 10+ years ago, but maybe I just haven't looked hard enough. Seems like the seller has experience with it though, telling you to throw the filters away.