Lens Scratch, Should I be Worried?

Thomas Keidan

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Oct 17, 2017
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I recently purchased an Olympus 35 RC camera which has been recently refurbished. It all looks perfect apart from a tiny scratch/scuff in the middle of the lens. It's about 1-2mm long. I have ordered some film online but it wont be coming for a few days. In the meantime should I be worried or is this not a big deal? Will this show up in my images? I really want to test and see for myself but like I said I wont be able to for a few days. Any help would be much appreciated to stop me exploding with worry!
 

Helios 1984

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I would worry if the scratch was on the rear element, however, front elements can take a lot of damage before you notice anything.
 

Sirius Glass

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If it does not show up on the photograph, do not worry about it. Also check to see if aimed at or near a light source causes a flare with the scratch. I would think that it will not be a problem.
 

RalphLambrecht

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It's not a big deal . It may reduce image contrast by just a tiny bit but, You have nothing to compare it torso, You'll never see it. The big deal about these things is that you have seen it once and, you'll be always looking for it; best to just forget it.
 

jim10219

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I have several ancient lenses that are all scratched up. Some have marks left from fungus and haze. I still shoot them, and still get great photos from them. I might be a bit more careful about lens flare with the scratched up ones. But otherwise, I don't worry much. If anything, they add character that you can't get from a modern lens in pristine condition.

As they say, sharpness is overrated. Once you get good at photography, you quit worrying about lens sharpness, scratches, the latest gear technology, and all of that jazz, and worry about things like composition and intriguing new subjects, angles or techniques that you've yet to explore. Worrying about gear is what amateurs do. Worrying about photographs is what professionals do. Do yourself a favor and quit worrying about the little stuff now, and get focused on the hard stuff, like how to photograph something that's been photographed a million times before in a new and compelling way.
 

Ko.Fe.

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MiltON.ONtario
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"In the middle of the lens"... Is it in the middle of the front element of the lens? 1-2mm long? If so, here is absolutely nothing to worry about lens performance.
 

Andrew O'Neill

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Much to my horror, my 120 Nikkor lens dropped off my 8x10 when I was photographing in a coal mine tunnel in Japan...whilst I was focusing under the dark cloth. That resulted in two nasty chips on the front glass, close to the middle. Much to my amazement, the following images turned out fine.
 

ciniframe

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Jul 3, 2014
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I look for lenses with small marks and scratch's, you can often get them for 1/2 or less than a 'perfect' lens. Most all of my lens finds had 'defects' on the glass. It is also a relief to shoot with worn and marked up equipment, you can relax. I've had expensive lenses too pristine to shoot with, I was always afraid I'd get that first mark on them.
 
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