Fine scratches on front element
6,819 posts
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Posted 05/12/2022 - 23:15
I have a lens with a front element scratch, but I've not thought it worth the effort of "polish out". That's because "polish out" would change the shape of the element and hence the performance of the lens.
But I'd love to be proved wrong
Barrie
Too Old To Die Young
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/barrieforbes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/189482630@N03/
But I'd love to be proved wrong
Barrie
Too Old To Die Young
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/barrieforbes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/189482630@N03/
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Posted 06/12/2022 - 08:32
I don't think that can be done. Scratches on the front element are very unlikely to affect image quality, it's scratches on the rear element that do that.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
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Posted 06/12/2022 - 08:52
Polishing out would remove the coating as well as change the shape of the lens. Don't do it !!! 
Steve
Steve
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Posted 06/12/2022 - 08:54
I had one once, didn't bother with the scratch as it made no difference to the IQ. Sold it a few months ago on Ebay (pointing out the mark obviously) and the buyer was more than happy.
Of course if you bought it with no knowledge of the scratch then I would be asking for some sort of recompense as it will effect resale value.
. My Flickr
Of course if you bought it with no knowledge of the scratch then I would be asking for some sort of recompense as it will effect resale value.
. My Flickr
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Posted 06/12/2022 - 17:24
Great thanks for the advice
k1 k5iis
8mm fisheye pentax da 12-24 sigma 15mm tamron 17-50 tokina 20-35 pentax fa 24-90 tokina 28-70 atx pro
pentax fa 50 1;1;7 pentax da*50-135 sigma 100-300 apo dg f4 sigma af 400mm pentax 1.7 af adapter
Pentax af aw 1.4 rear converter and a flash
k1 k5iis
8mm fisheye pentax da 12-24 sigma 15mm tamron 17-50 tokina 20-35 pentax fa 24-90 tokina 28-70 atx pro
pentax fa 50 1;1;7 pentax da*50-135 sigma 100-300 apo dg f4 sigma af 400mm pentax 1.7 af adapter
Pentax af aw 1.4 rear converter and a flash
Link
Posted 06/12/2022 - 18:34
Honestly I would not worry about it at all. This makes interesting reading about the impact of front element scratches.
https://wordpress.lensrentals.com/blog/2008/10/front-element-scratches/
Helpful
https://wordpress.lensrentals.com/blog/2008/10/front-element-scratches/
Helpful 
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Posted 09/12/2022 - 23:48
I recently sent a lens to MPB and they would only offer me scrap price for it due to the rear element being severely scratched so I asked them to send it back.
In the 6 years I owned it I never noticed a single issue on any image nor the scratch.
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
In the 6 years I owned it I never noticed a single issue on any image nor the scratch.
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
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reso
Member
worcestershire
Has anyone been able to polish out fine scratches off a front element if so did it work and what did you use
k1 k5iis
8mm fisheye pentax da 12-24 sigma 15mm tamron 17-50 tokina 20-35 pentax fa 24-90 tokina 28-70 atx pro
pentax fa 50 1;1;7 pentax da*50-135 sigma 100-300 apo dg f4 sigma af 400mm pentax 1.7 af adapter
Pentax af aw 1.4 rear converter and a flash