Scratch in front element

pbromaghin · Dec 24, 2019

I've been drooling over Zeiss 6x9 folders for several years, and pretty much decided that an Ikonta with Tessar lens and uncoupled rangefinder hits my price/capability sweet spot. There is one on eBay now that looks great, except for a "rather long but shallow scratch in the coating of the back of the front element". The scratch is easily seen in some of the pictures.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Zeiss-Ikon...270123?hash=item3fd5583fab:g:EdMAAOSwSRtd3Tg7

How much do you think it will affect picture quality? If necessary, it should be easy enough to find a good front element to swap. And I am never averse to having new-to-me cameras CLA'd before using them.

Arvee · Dec 24, 2019

I use a Minolta 28mm that has a scratch shorter but deeper than the one on your Zeiss. As long as I make sure bright highlights/sunlight don't shine directly on the front surface I have never been able to see any indication on the negs. IOW, use a lens hood and you won't have any problems. In your siituation, I think I would also attempt to negotiate with the seller for some relief in the purchase price. I also used for many years a 50 Summicron that had been dropped and had a chip the size of half a dime; I blacked out the chip and other than I now had an f/2.2 lens, no problems with IQ.

Dan Fromm · Dec 24, 2019

Fill the scratch with India ink. I use a Micron Pen to do this.

pbromaghin · Dec 24, 2019

Thanks for the tips. All good comments. Whenever something that I want like this comes up, I always start to wonder if it's just GAS. It has 6 days left, so I will let it sit before making any decisions.

Btw, how does one get a scratch on the INSIDE of the front element?

Arvee · Dec 24, 2019

Good question! Maybe a fine hair, not a scratch?

removed account4 · Dec 24, 2019

might be completely inconsequential, flare maybe ? just use a sun shade.
have fun with your new toy

Dan Fromm · Dec 24, 2019

pbromaghin said:
Btw, how does one get a scratch on the INSIDE of the front element?

Its easy. Think front, type back. Look at the photo, ignore the text.

shutterfinger · Dec 24, 2019

On that shutter/lens configuration the front element is rotated to focus. The stop screw for the focus has some scratch marks around it and the focus ring so someone had it opened, fumbled the element scratching it, and did a poor job keeping dust out.
As others have said likely no impact on image quality except for some flare in some strong side to front light situations.

pbromaghin · Dec 25, 2019

Dan Fromm said:
Fill the scratch with India ink. I use a Micron Pen to do this.

To block the light passing through the scratch instead of letting it scatter it all over the place? I like that.

And, looking more closely at the pictures, it's obvious you're right about the scratch being on the outside.

John Koehrer · Dec 25, 2019

The feller does take offers so it depends what a scratchless one goes for then apply
your best Kentucky windage for what you're willing to pay

pbromaghin · Dec 26, 2019

I've been waiting so long - 10years? - to get a 6x9, that I don't feel the need to settle for one that's been ham-handled with screwdrivers, and to bargain for it based on its problems. I think I'll pass on this one. Being well supplied with medium format cameras for "serious" work, this is just a toy, anyway. Maybe I'm suffering a bout of GAS.

Many thanks to all of you for your help. It was very educational. There are a lot of smart people hanging out here.

Scratch in front element

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