light scratches on 24mm front element

[mark]

I was out shooting a month or so ago. I tripped and landed pretty hard but my pack stayed on my back and only got shaken around. I checked to make sure everythign was fine and it seemed so. Last night when i was taking my stuff out for general inspection and cleaning I found that the lens cap to my nikon 24mm had come off. I assume it happened in my slip. Now there are scuff marks in the front element. I assume it is only in the coating.

What effect will this have on the image quality, and can it be repaired?

 

[victor]

mark, if it only coating it is not tragical. if it is element then this is a more serious demage. the effect can be different, depending on the demage level (if the element was demaged). depends on light condition, some condition can acentruate it more. depends on the enlargement. when u take pictures, exemine it, just remember that if something should accure than it will be in fully reversed diraction.
i dont know if it can be repaired but if u do go on it give it to the best master to do it.

 

[glbeas]

If it turns out the scratch is into the element and you find it does cause flare a time honored repair can be made if you are very careful. The offending scratch can be filled in with india ink with a very fine brush or toothpick. The black mark will simply block out a very small amount of light and prevent any from being turned into non image light. this works even with fairly large chunks taken out of the lens, though it throws the f stop scale out of kilter for exposure settings.
Most times a lens can't be repaired when scratched and this is the only recourse other than making a doorstop out of it and buying a replacement lens.

 

[Jorge Oliveira]

Gary

I beg to disagree.

A paperweight is more appropriate.


:whistle:

Jorge O

 

[glbeas]

Okay, paperweight it is.

 

[Aggie]

..

 

[Flotsam]

Gary,
My Brother's 100mm Zuiko has little ding on the front element. Doesn't really affect his snapshooting but I never even thought of blacking it to kill non-image forming light spread. Thanks for the tip!