Nothing sticks to Nikon's fluorine coated lenses

**interested_observer** · 05-20-2014, 01:24 AM

You Tube

**Digitalis** · 05-20-2014, 01:54 AM

Interesting video, though I have to say: I feel sorry for the guys who had to work with elemental fluorine to create this coating it is nasty stuff. In the effort to isolate elemental Florine many people died from poisoning or explosions from handling this fine substance.

Pablom · 05-20-2014, 02:00 AM

Why can't Pentax have lens coatings with poisonous chemical elements?

Am I correct to assume Nikon don't use fluorine on most of their lenses?

**Digitalis** · 05-20-2014, 02:04 AM

Originally posted by Pablom

I correct to assume Nikon don't use fluorine on most of their lenses?

I think they developed it with express purpose of shutting up those people who whinged about oil spots on the sensor cover glass. If they use this coating on the DSLR sensor cover glass on their next DSLR I wouldn't be surprised.

Giklab · 05-20-2014, 02:21 AM

Two letters: SP.

**interested_observer** · 05-20-2014, 04:54 AM - **1 Like**

I had gotten up to get a drink of water - wound up surfing the net for a while and then posting the initial link. I had thought that Pentax had done something with fluorine, but forgot to add it to the initial post and went back to bed.... Here is what I had intended to also post along with the original. Sorry - and thanks to Giklab for the "two letters"!

So, it appears that Pentax is ahead of the curve technically, but Nikon is better at marketing.... sigh ( - again...)

Quote:

(Super Protection) Coating

SP (Super Protection) coating is a special coating on the external lens element of specific PENTAX lenses. It is based on
a fluorine coating and prevents water-based or oily substances from adhering to the lens . SP coated lenses are more
easily cleaned of finger marks, smears or other matter than may come in contact with the lens

You Tube

mikeSF · 05-20-2014, 08:19 AM

Originally posted by interested_observer

I had gotten up to get a drink of water - wound up surfing the net for a while and then posting the initial link. I had thought that Pentax had done something with fluorine, but forgot to add it to the initial post and went back to bed.... Here is what I had intended to also post along with the original. Sorry - and thanks to Giklab for the "two letters"!

So, it appears that Pentax is ahead of the curve technically, but Nikon is better at marketing.... sigh ( - again...)

Pentax SMC DA - YouTube

Pentax is like that guy who always comes early to the party, but sits there very very quietly.

Cannikin · 05-20-2014, 02:05 PM

Fluorine based compounds, particularly ones with the very strong carbon-fluorine bonds, tend to have very low reactivity and very low friction. These properties have been known for a long time, which is why things like Teflon (which is nothing but a chain of C-F bonds) are used in things like non-stick cookware coating. These same properties are at work here in these non-stick lens coatings.

Originally posted by Digitalis

Interesting video, though I have to say: I feel sorry for the guys who had to work with elemental fluorine to create this coating it is nasty stuff. In the effort to isolate elemental Florine many people died from poisoning or explosions from handling this fine substance.

Do you also feel sorry for those who produce very common fluorine based compounds like Teflon and sodium fluoride (the active ingredient in virtually every toothpaste), the latter of which millions of tons are produced every year with the use of highly toxic hydrofluoric acid? Modern industrial processes and safety procedures render working with many toxic substances like fluorine and chlorine no more dangerous than any other substance.

In fact, the industrial substances that have caused the most death and destruction usually turn out to be seemingly innocuous things like fertilizer, sugar, or powdered leftovers of metals like aluminum after machining causing explosions that have killed thousands over the years, or inert gases like nitrogen or argon filling rooms and displacing oxygen, causing suffocation.

kdf9511 · 05-20-2014, 02:07 PM

I would love to have this coating on my shooting glasses and motorcycle vizor/windshield. It would be really nice in the rain.

05-20-2014, 08:19 AM	#7
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622	Originally posted by interested_observer I had gotten up to get a drink of water - wound up surfing the net for a while and then posting the initial link. I had thought that Pentax had done something with fluorine, but forgot to add it to the initial post and went back to bed.... Here is what I had intended to also post along with the original. Sorry - and thanks to Giklab for the "two letters"! So, it appears that Pentax is ahead of the curve technically, but Nikon is better at marketing.... sigh ( - again...) http://c2b6d376b97bcc466063-5420c200a1f030d1394a9548df6eadbd.r5.cf2.rackcdn...._121912_LR.pdf DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR - RICOH IMAGING UK LTD. Pentax SMC DA - YouTube Pentax is like that guy who always comes early to the party, but sits there very very quietly.

05-20-2014, 02:05 PM	#8
Cannikin Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SW Washington Posts: 833	Fluorine based compounds, particularly ones with the very strong carbon-fluorine bonds, tend to have very low reactivity and very low friction. These properties have been known for a long time, which is why things like Teflon (which is nothing but a chain of C-F bonds) are used in things like non-stick cookware coating. These same properties are at work here in these non-stick lens coatings. Originally posted by Digitalis Interesting video, though I have to say: I feel sorry for the guys who had to work with elemental fluorine to create this coating it is nasty stuff. In the effort to isolate elemental Florine many people died from poisoning or explosions from handling this fine substance. Do you also feel sorry for those who produce very common fluorine based compounds like Teflon and sodium fluoride (the active ingredient in virtually every toothpaste), the latter of which millions of tons are produced every year with the use of highly toxic hydrofluoric acid? Modern industrial processes and safety procedures render working with many toxic substances like fluorine and chlorine no more dangerous than any other substance. In fact, the industrial substances that have caused the most death and destruction usually turn out to be seemingly innocuous things like fertilizer, sugar, or powdered leftovers of metals like aluminum after machining causing explosions that have killed thousands over the years, or inert gases like nitrogen or argon filling rooms and displacing oxygen, causing suffocation. Last edited by Cannikin; 05-20-2014 at 02:22 PM.

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05-20-2014, 01:54 AM	#2
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Interesting video, though I have to say: I feel sorry for the guys who had to work with elemental fluorine to create this coating it is nasty stuff. In the effort to isolate elemental Florine many people died from poisoning or explosions from handling this fine substance.

05-20-2014, 02:00 AM	#3
Pablom Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Usa Posts: 1,940	Why can't Pentax have lens coatings with poisonous chemical elements? Am I correct to assume Nikon don't use fluorine on most of their lenses?

05-20-2014, 02:04 AM	#4
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Pablom I correct to assume Nikon don't use fluorine on most of their lenses? I think they developed it with express purpose of shutting up those people who whinged about oil spots on the sensor cover glass. If they use this coating on the DSLR sensor cover glass on their next DSLR I wouldn't be surprised.

05-20-2014, 02:21 AM	#5
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	Two letters: SP.

05-20-2014, 02:07 PM	#9
kdf9511 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Weatherford, Oklahoma Posts: 206	I would love to have this coating on my shooting glasses and motorcycle vizor/windshield. It would be really nice in the rain.