B+W · Waterproof Camera & Lens Protection Cases
B+W Basic Clear Filter MRC
Reduced PFAS concern; optical glass filters rarely use PFAS-based coatings.
B+W Basic Clear Filter uses multi-coated optical glass designed to protect camera sensors. Glass optics typically avoid PFAS, though B+W keeps coating specifics private and provides no testing data.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Optical glass, multi-coated
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Optical coating degradation and scratching
The MRC coating can degrade with improper cleaning or storage, though this is a performance issue, not a direct safety hazard. Degraded coatings do not leach; they simply scatter light and may harbor dust particles.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Lead
Modern optical glass used in camera filters is formulated without lead or cadmium. No recalls or test data suggest contamination in B+W optical filters.
Source, ATSDR ↗Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or off-gassing
Optical glass and cured optical coatings do not off-gas VOCs under normal conditions. This is a sealed optical component exposed to air only, not a storage or interior furnishing.
Micro-abrasion or particle shedding from coating
Well-bonded multi-coated filters do not shed particles into optical path or environment. No established incidents reported for B+W MRC filters.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The B+W Basic Clear Filter MRC is constructed from optical-grade borosilicate or soda-lime glass with multi-resistant coating (MRC) applied to reduce reflections and improve light transmission. This coating is a thin optical interference layer, not a binder or protective enamel vulnerable to leaching. Optical glass itself is chemically inert under normal use; the filter sits between your lens and sensor, not in contact with food, skin, or heat sources that would trigger leaching pathways.
The brand's record and disclosure
B+W is a Schneider Kreuznach subsidiary and established optical equipment manufacturer with no public recalls, safety violations, or formal disclosures tied to their filter products. The company has not issued public PFAS statements, typical for specialty optics firms where PFAS use is unlikely. Industry-wide, multi-coated optical filters are not known to use PFAS-based chemistries in their coatings.
How it compares in its category
Clear protective filters across brands (B+W, Hoya, Kenko, Tiffen) show minimal differentiation in material safety; all use optical glass with anti-reflective coatings. B+W MRC coatings are mid-to-premium in optical performance but functionally equivalent in safety profile to competitor offerings. Uncoated glass filters are marginally simpler but offer no safety advantage and worse optical quality.
If you buy it
Store the filter in a protective case or pouch when not mounted; optical coatings can scratch if rubbed with abrasive materials. Clean only with lens-specific microfiber cloths and optical cleaning fluid; water and breath alone are adequate for routine dust removal. Replace if the front or rear coating develops visible scratches or haze, as this degrades image quality and can trap dust. No heating, chemical exposure, or long-term storage hazards apply to this product.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- B+W has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More waterproof camera & lens protection cases grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.