Scratches on front glass - an issue?
6,794 posts
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Posted 01/08/2012 - 07:43
Shouldn't have an impact, but you should expect to pay slightly less than a perfect sample.
[link=https://500px.com/will_brealey/[/link]
[link=https://500px.com/will_brealey/[/link]
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Posted 01/08/2012 - 08:00
I have a lens with scratch on the front element and it has no effect at all on the image.
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Posted 01/08/2012 - 08:32
It might seem odd but a single large scratch is rarely an issue. Multiple small scratches are far worse.
Is this from a store or a private seller. Most shops will allow you to check it and send it back if you don't like it.
My Photobucket
Is this from a store or a private seller. Most shops will allow you to check it and send it back if you don't like it.
My Photobucket
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Posted 01/08/2012 - 08:52
I'm with Greynolds on this.
If you can try it out then do so. A few scratches should be OK,but if it looks like it's been cleaned with a Brillo pad...
Cheers, HG
K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.
Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...
I've some gallerieshere CLICKY LINK! and my PPG entries.
If you can try it out then do so. A few scratches should be OK,but if it looks like it's been cleaned with a Brillo pad...
Cheers, HG
K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.
Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...
I've some gallerieshere CLICKY LINK! and my PPG entries.
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Posted 01/08/2012 - 08:53
I recently sold a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 on another forum (Canon fit) which had quite a deep scratch on the front element along with a couple of other smaller marks. It was absolutely fine, of course it was priced well below a perfect example but the buyer was more than happy with the pictures it produced.
. My Flickr
. My Flickr
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Posted 01/08/2012 - 09:10
it's not the FA*200 Macro is it Ryan?
I guess you've seen the scratch for yourself - I guess the most important thing is where in the field of view it is, off-centre I hope, then it should be ok, but if it was central I'd be a little bit wary. Until we can see we can't really judge.
I see you're from Herning - was there for an NSU-Treffen (gathering) last June, went into town - very nice indeed and spent a day in Ribe too.
AKA Welshwizard/PWynneJ
Assorted Pentax/Nikon/Mamiya stuff
I guess you've seen the scratch for yourself - I guess the most important thing is where in the field of view it is, off-centre I hope, then it should be ok, but if it was central I'd be a little bit wary. Until we can see we can't really judge.
I see you're from Herning - was there for an NSU-Treffen (gathering) last June, went into town - very nice indeed and spent a day in Ribe too.
AKA Welshwizard/PWynneJ
Assorted Pentax/Nikon/Mamiya stuff
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Posted 01/08/2012 - 09:37
Any scratches on the front element are exactly the same
as having a Starburst Filter.... if you had a cross for
example any light points would have a star radiating
from them.
A single scratch if it's wide and long will produce a line
right across the frame at any bright points, which could
also be reflections caused by a flashgun. You have
absolutely no control over it.
If it's bad I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole
Half Man... Half Pentax ... Half Cucumber
Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
as having a Starburst Filter.... if you had a cross for
example any light points would have a star radiating
from them.
A single scratch if it's wide and long will produce a line
right across the frame at any bright points, which could
also be reflections caused by a flashgun. You have
absolutely no control over it.
If it's bad I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole
Half Man... Half Pentax ... Half Cucumber
Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
72 posts
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Posted 01/08/2012 - 12:12
Thank you all.
The scratch is rather small and superficial, localized peripherically.
The lens in question is a K 28 f3.5 and I think I may give it a chance.
What would a fair price be?
The scratch is rather small and superficial, localized peripherically.
The lens in question is a K 28 f3.5 and I think I may give it a chance.
What would a fair price be?
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Posted 01/08/2012 - 12:28
I used to have a film SLR with a 55mm lens which had a cracked front element.
Looked horrendous, but appeared to have no effect on prints that anyone ever noticed.
regards
Bernard
Looked horrendous, but appeared to have no effect on prints that anyone ever noticed.
regards
Bernard
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Posted 03/08/2012 - 21:16
A scratch on the front element might produce a bit more flare than usual in certain circumstances.
If the scratch is significant enough, you can paint out the scratch with a black marker, black mascara, Matt black paint or similar to reduce/eliminate it.
By doing this, essentially you are filling the scratch with a non reflective material.
It's an old trick, but works.
This lens (in this condition). . . .
produced this image . . .
Peter E Smith
My flickr Photostream
If the scratch is significant enough, you can paint out the scratch with a black marker, black mascara, Matt black paint or similar to reduce/eliminate it.
By doing this, essentially you are filling the scratch with a non reflective material.
It's an old trick, but works.
This lens (in this condition). . . .
produced this image . . .
Peter E Smith
My flickr Photostream
Last Edited by Mannesty on 03/08/2012 - 21:26
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Posted 03/08/2012 - 22:49
Mine was nowhere near that bad. It had a dink on the filter thread which produced a single crack, straight acros the middle. So I think I got off lightly.
Do you get any funny looks when you turn up with that lens (I used to)
regards
Bernard
Do you get any funny looks when you turn up with that lens (I used to)
regards
Bernard
Last Edited by Frogherder on 03/08/2012 - 22:50
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Posted 03/08/2012 - 23:00
Frogherder wrote:
Mine was nowhere near that bad. It had a dink on the filter thread which produced a single crack, straight acros the middle. So I think I got off lightly.
Do you get any funny looks when you turn up with that lens (I used to)
regards
Bernard
Mine was nowhere near that bad. It had a dink on the filter thread which produced a single crack, straight acros the middle. So I think I got off lightly.
Do you get any funny looks when you turn up with that lens (I used to)
regards
Bernard
It's not my lens. I found links to these images in an internet article on the subject of scratched/cracked/chipped lenses.
Peter E Smith
My flickr Photostream
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Posted 04/08/2012 - 07:08
Haha Peter - I was going to link to it. It's an article from Lens Rental in the USA. Produces amazing flare
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
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RyanK
Member
Denmark
I've found a lens that i'm really interested in. Gets great reviews and is difficult to find.
The seller describes it as beeing in good shape cosmetically and optically no issues. Only thing that is holding me back is a small scratch on the front glass
Should this worry me? Is it likely to have any influence on the photos taken?
Best regards
Ryan