Tiffen · Waterproof Camera & Lens Protection Cases
Tiffen Black Glimmerglass Camera Filter
Camera filter glass likely lower concern, coating composition unspecified.
This optical glass filter typically uses standard anti-reflective coatings. No public PFAS disclosures exist and the optical coatings composition remains unknown.
The better-graded swap
Lowepro
Lowepro Hardside 300 Photo Waterproof Camera Hard Case
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Optical glass with unspecified optical coatings
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Tiffen Black Glimmerglass Camera Filter is made of, ingredients and materials
Tiffen Black Glimmerglass filters are optical glass substrates with proprietary anti-reflection and specialty coatings applied to the surface. The glass itself is inert and poses no leaching or off-gassing risk during normal camera use. The coatings (likely multi-layer dielectric or metallic) are sealed in manufacturing and not in contact with skin, food, or ingestion pathways, making them functionally contained. The Black Glimmerglass designation indicates a specialty optical coating designed to reduce glare and reflections.
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.
Unknown / proprietary coating
A coating is recorded with no disclosed chemistry.
Microabrasion and particulate shedding
If coatings are scratched or worn, microscopic optical glass particles may be shed, but this occurs only with visible physical damage and does not pose inhalation risk in normal camera use. Tiffen filters are designed for durability and this is not a reported failure mode.
PFAS
Tiffen is silent on PFAS; some optical coatings may contain fluorinated compounds for hydrophobic properties, but surface-sealed coatings present minimal migration risk during camera use. Separate PFAS assessment grades this product at 50/100 due to coating opacity.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Optical coating composition and leachables
Tiffen does not disclose coating materials; typical anti-reflection coatings use oxides or metallic layers that are sealed and pose no known consumer exposure. No reports of coating degradation releasing hazardous substances into camera bodies or hands.
Heavy metals
Optical glass is precision-grade and does not accumulate lead, cadmium, or antimony at levels documented in lower-grade ceramics or enamels. No safety alerts on record for Tiffen optical glass.
Source, FDA ↗Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
Camera filters do not produce detectable VOC off-gassing during normal use; coatings are cured during manufacturing and sealed. No complaints of odor or respiratory effects from handling or using this filter.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Tiffen is a long-established optical manufacturer (founded 1933) with a reputation for quality camera accessories but limited public transparency on coating chemistry or material safety data sheets. No major recalls or consumer safety controversies are on record for this product line. The company does not publicly disclose PFAS use in coatings or provide third-party certifications for material safety. Coating formulations are proprietary and not detailed in consumer-facing documentation.
How it compares in its category
Camera filters are a low-exposure product category compared to cookware or food storage; the optical glass and coatings remain sealed and are never ingested or leached into consumables. Tiffen is a market leader alongside competitors like Hoya and B+W, all of which maintain similar opacity around coating chemistry. Unlike UV filters or other specialty filters, the Black Glimmerglass does not involve chemical absorption or release mechanisms. This product presents fewer material-sourcing hazards than most camera equipment due to the sealed, non-consumable nature of the application.
If you buy it
Filters are durable and maintenance is minimal, clean with a soft brush and lens cloth; avoid abrasive cleaning. Optical coatings can degrade if scratched or exposed to extreme heat, but normal camera use does not create these conditions. No replacement interval is necessary unless physical damage occurs. Storage in a dry, dust-free case is sufficient to prevent coating degradation.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Tiffen has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Tiffen Black Glimmerglass Camera Filter?
- Optical glass lens with multi-coated optical surfaces
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- No PFAS statement found from the brand
- Glass lens (borosilicate or soda-lime glass)
- Optical coating degradation
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Optical glass, aluminum frame, non-coated optical surfaces
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Optical glass fragility and sharp edges
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.