Scratched lens

smr

smr

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Joel
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Hi all,

Much to my utter disappointment I seem to have scratched my lens somehow - I don't know how - I try to take meticulous care of all my Camera gear but somehow it's got scratched or marked. I have tried cleaning with a dust blower and then a pec pad and cleaning solution to see if it was just a mark but it appears that it is a scratch.

Probably a stupid question but will this have an adverse affect on my photos and can it possibly be fixed?

It's an 10-18 EFS Canon lens.

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I had a mark on my 17-55mm 2.8 worse than yours and that was only just visible at f22.
 
smr said:
Probably a stupid question but will this have an adverse affect on my photos
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Unlikely - if it did it would be at very narrow apertures even then I suspect it would only be a tiny loss of contrast and/or flare.

and can it possibly be fixed?
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I'm not a Canon shooter, but would expect that the front element can be replaced. whether it is worth it or not is up to you - fwiw I wouldn't worry over it. :)
 
Thanks for the reassurance, I get annoyed just knowing it's there but at least it doesn't look like it'll have any impact on my photos so after a few days I'll probably be over it completely. Interesting articles - quite surprising how that damage to the lens on the kurtmunger article has no affect on the image!

I've ordered a clear filter today so at least that'll be peace of mind that I won't get anymore damage to it. Now I'm thinking I should do the same for my 150-600 Sigma, 18-55 and 105 macro lenses.
 
I wouldn't worry to much TBH Ive owned and used lens in far worse condition with little if any problem at all. :)
 
smr said:
I've ordered a clear filter today so at least that'll be peace of mind that I won't get anymore damage to it. Now I'm thinking I should do the same for my 150-600 Sigma, 18-55 and 105 macro lenses.
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Be careful, adding another layer of glass can cause more flares so could accentuate the scratch. I'd personally suggest just using a lens hood over any protection/uv filters but that's a whole other conversation
 
stevelmx5 said:
Be careful, adding another layer of glass can cause more flares so could accentuate the scratch. I'd personally suggest just using a lens hood over any protection/uv filters but that's a whole other conversation
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Yes, use a lens hood :thumbs:

Are you sure that's a scratch? Hard to tell from photos but it looks like it could be a dried-on water mark. They can be very tenacious, sometimes leaving a silvery stain, but try the 'huuuff' technique with a microfibre cloth, and don't be afraid to press quite hard.
 
smr said:
I've ordered a clear filter today so at least that'll be peace of mind that I won't get anymore damage to it. Now I'm thinking I should do the same for my 150-600 Sigma, 18-55 and 105 macro lenses.
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I agree with Steve above, better to use the lens hood - a) no additional glass surfaces for reflection/flare, b) increase in contrast c) physical protection of the front element and d) often are free as they come with the lens.
 
Ok I've ordered earlier so it's on it's way now anyway, I'll see what effect it has. I did read up a lot of fors and againsts on the usage of protector filters but I guess this scratch puts me in the 'for' camp now!

Just slightly OT but I've also ordered a CPL for the lens as well but hear that it's a bad idea to use the CPL stacked on a clear filter - thing is I can't find any info as to why you shouldn't if anyone can shed any light on that (pun intended!)

edit - just read the last couple of posts as well, thanks for your input guys.. as it's on it's way now I could be subjective about it and may return then - I do have a lens hood for the lens.

I did think it was a dried on water mark or something as from certain angles it looks like it but then at other angles it looks like that shiny silvery kind of effect which scratches look like... I'll give it a go with a microfibre cloth later on. I just thought using the eclipse lens cleaner and a pec pad it would've removed it was a water stain or so.
 
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Every time you add another layer of glass you increase the chances of flare and other aberrations. With stacked filters you soon get into vignetting issues too. Only use a filter for a specific purpose (i.e. a CPL or ND type).
 
smr said:
Ok I've ordered earlier so it's on it's way now anyway, I'll see what effect it has. I did read up a lot of fors and againsts on the usage of protector filters but I guess this scratch puts me in the 'for' camp now!
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It won't have any effect on sharpness, unless it's really rubbish. The problem is flare, shooting into bright light.

Just slightly OT but I've also ordered a CPL for the lens as well but hear that it's a bad idea to use the CPL stacked on a clear filter - thing is I can't find any info as to why you shouldn't if anyone can shed any light on that (pun intended!)

edit - just read the last couple of posts as well, thanks for your input guys.. as it's on it's way now I could be subjective about it and may return then - I do have a lens hood for the lens.
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Glass surfaces reflect light, and that shows up as flare when it gets into the lens. Four extra glass surfaces is asking for trouble. You may also get vignetting (darkening in the corners) at widest focal length, though prolly okay with that lens as it's not very wide.

I did think it was a dried on water mark or something as from certain angles it looks like it but then at other angles it looks like that shiny silvery kind of effect which scratches look like... I'll give it a go with a microfibre cloth later on. I just thought using the eclipse lens cleaner and a pec pad it would've removed it was a water stain or so.
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If you have ever wiped rain drops off the lens, and not done it thoroughly, then that's the kind of mark you get. Alcohol-based cleaners may not remove that, you need a little moisture, hence the heavy breathing 'haaa' technique.
 
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I tried it with my breath but with a pec pad, but those aren't as sort of able in removing things as a microfibre cloth I suppose. If it is a scratch though, won't rubbing in a 'trying to remove' fashion make it worse, I don't want to aggravate the scratch or something.

the filters i've bought are both Hoya's top of the line Fusion ones... maybe more than I needed to spend on the clear filter but I haven't spent anything on myself since before September or something so thought what the heck!
 
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smr said:
I tried it with my breath but with a pec pad, but those aren't as sort of able in removing things as a microfibre cloth I suppose. If it is a scratch though, won't rubbing in a 'trying to remove' fashion make it worse, I don't want to aggravate the scratch or something.
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Clean cotton t-shirts work well too, you can even spit and polish.

You're unlikely to aggravate the scratch, lens elements are super-tough.
 
got a chip on my lens not made any impact on IQ
 
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