Tiffen · Waterproof Camera & Lens Protection Cases
Tiffen Standard Coated Filter 5.65 x 5.65"
Unknown coating composition. Tiffen does not disclose PFAS status.
This standard filter has unspecified optical glass and coating. No publicly documented coating composition exists for PFAS content assessment.
The better-graded swap
Aquatech
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Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
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Material
optical glass with unspecified coating
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.
Unknown / proprietary coating
A coating is recorded with no disclosed chemistry.
PFAS
Tiffen does not disclose whether the unspecified anti-reflective coating contains Teflon-family coating or other PFAS compounds. Optical coatings are not a significant inhalation or ingestion route for users, but environmental disposal risk exists if coating contains PFAS.
Source, ATSDR ↗Optical glass dust (if filter breaks)
If the filter is dropped and shatters, fine glass particles pose a minor risk of eye or skin irritation during cleanup. This is a mechanical, not chemical, hazard and applies to any glass optical product.
What’s reassuring
Lens coating separation or degradation
No documented cases of premature coating failure in Tiffen Standard Coated filters. Improper cleaning or storage may accelerate degradation, but this is a physical failure mode, not a chemical hazard.
Heavy metals
Standard optical glass and metal oxide coatings (common in this product class) do not contain added lead, cadmium, or other restricted heavy metals. No published analysis or recalls suggest contamination.
Source, FDA ↗Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing
Optical filters are not a documented source of VOC emissions during normal use. Coatings are cured during manufacturing and do not off-gas under ambient storage or photographic conditions.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Tiffen Standard Coated filters are optical glass substrates with proprietary anti-reflective coatings applied to reduce lens flare and improve light transmission. The glass itself (silica-based) is inert and poses no leaching risk. The coating composition is not publicly disclosed by Tiffen, which prevents full chemical assessment; typical optical coatings use metal oxides (magnesium fluoride, titanium dioxide) that are not materials linked to PFAS, but some manufacturers have historically used Teflon-family coating (Teflon-type coating-related compounds) for improved durability.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tiffen is a long-established optical filter manufacturer with no known product recalls related to chemical safety or coating degradation. The company does not publicly disclose PFAS use in coatings or provide Material Safety Data Sheets for finished filters. Tiffen has not pursued third-party chemical certifications (such as environmental or toxicity standards) for this product line, which is typical for camera accessories but limits transparency.
How it compares in its category
Camera filters are not regulated as consumer products by the FDA or EPA in the United States; they fall outside food-contact and drinking-water product oversight. Tiffen's Standard Coated line represents mid-range optical quality; competitors include Hoya, B+W, and Kenko, most of which also do not disclose coating chemistry publicly. The optical glass substrate and coating durability are competitive with equivalents; no category-wide safety issues are documented.
If you buy it
Filters are typically not ingested or heated and present minimal dermal contact; standard handling poses no identified risk. Store in a dry environment to prevent coating separation or fungal growth on the internal surfaces. Inspect periodically for scratches, internal haze, or separation of the coating layers (signs of degradation); if visible damage occurs, replace the filter. Clean only with lens-grade cloths and solutions; avoid abrasive materials that may damage the coating.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% 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.
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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.