I’m guessing that the lens would have been fine even without the protective filter since the lens glass is thicker and sturdier than the filter glass. But who knows? Glad to hear that your lens survived.

Dropping a lens is always a traumatic experience. Even if the glass is not broken, the lens could be damaged inside. It’s a good idea to test focusing and sharpness of a lens after it has been dropped and get it repaired if necessary.

- Alan

Thanks for the evidence strengthening my view that so-called “protective” filters are not worth the money.

Alan

It’s pretty easy to compare sharpness with and without a filter just by taking a couple of photos and comparing them in the computer. I think most people would find just what you did: the filter reduces sharpness.

And your experience with the half-shattered filter makes an excellent argument against using so-called “protective” filters.

Thanks for sharing,

Alan

Earlier this year, my camera slipped off my coffee table, appearing to land on the lens, with the cap on. It half-shattered the UV filter, which then left me in the delicate position of having to unscrew the UV filter while glass shards were resting up against my actual lens. In this scenario, the UV filter was a much greater hazard to my lens- potential scratching and all.

Good one. There is already Camera Armor available for most SLRs, so I think airbags is the next logical step. For extra protection, I once tried gluing my lens cap onto my lens, but it tended to make the exposures too dark.

Alan