scratch on a lens

Hi Pentax users

I have been using pentax k5 over 10 years and recently bought a lumix g9 for video and other use.
I am still using a50mm 1.4 and a28mm 2.8, then bought lumix 12-35mm 2.8 lens.
As it was well used condition, I did not expect too much of it. It came with a scratch on the front lens and I am wondering if I have to return it or keep it.
It was much reduced price, but this scratch will affect image quality.
Please give me your view on this as I will post photos of the lens.

Thanks for your advice.

It shouldn't have much effect on IQ at all. I had an A series 35 -105 that had an almighty collection of deep scratches on the front. It took super pictures. All you can do is try it and consider whether you have value for money. As to returning it, it's one thing to say it is well used but an outright scratch should have been pointed out.

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Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd - link

It's up to you to decide if you want to return it or not as you will likely not find the lens for that price without heavy use. You need to decide if the reduction in price is worth the potential IQ degradation.

Having said that, scratches on the front element have very little effect on image quality - it's scratches on the rear element you need to be wary of. On the front element it will most likely be manifested as an increased tendency to flare, which most modern lenses are very resistant to.

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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

Thanks Jonathan-Mac and davidwozhere.
I would live to keep it. I did not expect anything like this big and where it is placed.
I will take it out and shoot in different light condition next couple of days before I make the decision.
It is still a good prime lens price, so I need to weigh up whether to buy a 25mm 1.4 prime lens instead.
Thanks for your advice

it will have zero effect on image quality. Take a read of this:
https://wordpress.lensrentals.com/blog/2008/10/front-element-scratches/

And that's only a little scratch

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Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd - link

I'm sure I read somewhere about filling in such a scratch with black marker pen so it doesn't act like an unwanted star burst filter

Thanks for the comments. I wish I can just believe it does not affect at all. Trying to read stuff to make my mind.

You have to try it out to help you decide whether or not to keep it.

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David

Think of it like putting your lens right up to a chain link fence to snap some animal at the zoo. You don't see the fence on the photo. The scratch on your lens is about as close as you will get to a virtual chain link fence. You won't see it.

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Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd - link