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scratch on my lens

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photochick

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I have a scratch in the center of my lens on my D70. it's a small scratch, but the guy at the local camera shop told me I should replace it. He said I'll start having problems with my pictures and wanted to sell me a Promaster lens 2.8, 17mm to 50mm. Any suggestions? This is my 18mm to 70mm lens that came with my camera. Thanks in advance.
 
It's hard to say w/o seeing how big the scratch is. You might want to ask Nikon how much would it be to replace the front element.

Does the scratch show up in photos?

One thing I can say for sure. That Promaster is no way near the quality of the kit lens. I would take the money that you would have spent on the Promaster and spend it on the repair of the lens or find a used one in reasonably in good shape.
 
Thanks so much. I don't see the scratch in the pictures and it is small. Maybe the guy was just trying to sell me a new lens. Thanks, I'll check with Nikon, didn't know they could change out the front element.
 
I'm not sure if they can or can not do that. Ask what they can do and then make your decision based on how they respond.

Can you give a rough estimate of the scratch size? Are you it is a scratch and not dirt?
 
The scratch is very small near the center of the lens, like a small dot and then there is a very light line less than 1/4 " long. I just got my pictures back from a trip to Maine and they are beautiful. I don't see any evidence of the scratch. Thanks for the info.
 
I'd be buying a new identical lens if it were causing issues. Otherwise forget it, and write it off as this salesman trying to sell you a new piece of glass.

I have scratches on some of my old glass, on both the front and rear element, but nothing that's visible in pictures. Don't worry about it untill you can see it in pictures.
--

 
A quote from this article:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-feb-05.shtml

"Incidentally, if by any chance you do manage to get a small imperfection on your lens, try this trick to put your mind at rest. This is something I learned from the legendary Pentax technical guru and Mensch of the Mountain Don Nelson. Tear a corner off the sticky part of a Post-It note so that you've got a bit of paper about the size of a pea. Stick it on your lens. Now look through the viewfinder. Surprised? Okay, so stop worrying about that little speck, then. "

--



Technical Info: Roseart U.S.A. Gold #2 pencil, Pentel High Polymer eraser, Academie sketch pad drawing paper. Drawn clumsily under relatively poor light.

http://www.geocities.com/wild_tiger_1

http://flickr.com/photos/selrahcharles/
 
It is worth investing in an inexpensive filter to protect your expensive lens. I don't own a lens without a filter. It saves me worrying about it.... I'm still careful with my gear, I just don't worry as much about scratching the front element.

Food for thought
T
--
D50, 18-55mm Kit lens, Nikkor 70-300D ED, Tamron 90mm, 80-200 AF-D, SB-800
Remember: The Immortal words of Socrates: 'I Drank what?'
 
Erm...

The quality of the pics are often determine by the quality of the Lens (elements)...

Would buying an inexpensive/poor quality filter negate the quality of the lens and pics?

Adrian
Tyym said:
It is worth investing in an inexpensive filter to protect your
expensive lens. I don't own a lens without a filter. It saves me
worrying about it.... I'm still careful with my gear, I just don't
worry as much about scratching the front element.

Food for thought
T
--
D50, 18-55mm Kit lens, Nikkor 70-300D ED, Tamron 90mm, 80-200 AF-D,
SB-800
Remember: The Immortal words of Socrates: 'I Drank what?'
Click to expand...
 
A filter is inexpensive relative the cost of the glass it's protecting... The filter serves it's primary purpose, but it also serves as lens protection.

I'm not advocating using a poor quality filter on a piece of pro glass... just that I'd rather throw away a filter rather than be without or have to repair my 80-200.... just spitballing though

--
D50, 18-55mm Kit lens, Nikkor 70-300D ED, Tamron 90mm, 80-200 AF-D, SB-800
Remember: The Immortal words of Socrates: 'I Drank what?'
 
I am a person who rarely uses UV/Protective filters. I tend to think like you do on the filters... but I do have one for protection when going out in adverse conditions. Usually though the filter stays off, and I try to put the lens cap on when needed.
Wowee said:
The quality of the pics are often determine by the quality of the
Lens (elements)...

Would buying an inexpensive/poor quality filter negate the quality
of the lens and pics?

Adrian
Tyym said:
It is worth investing in an inexpensive filter to protect your
expensive lens. I don't own a lens without a filter. It saves me
worrying about it.... I'm still careful with my gear, I just don't
worry as much about scratching the front element.

Food for thought
T
--
D50, 18-55mm Kit lens, Nikkor 70-300D ED, Tamron 90mm, 80-200 AF-D,
SB-800
Remember: The Immortal words of Socrates: 'I Drank what?'
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--



Technical Info: Roseart U.S.A. Gold #2 pencil, Pentel High Polymer eraser, Academie sketch pad drawing paper. Drawn clumsily under relatively poor light.

http://www.geocities.com/wild_tiger_1

http://flickr.com/photos/selrahcharles/
 
Yes, I do the same thing. Every lens I have is protected by a good quality UV filter purchased at the same time as the lens. However, I'd describe these filters as 'quite expensive' - not as expensive as the lenses though.

David
Tyym said:
A filter is inexpensive relative the cost of the glass it's
protecting... The filter serves it's primary purpose, but it also
serves as lens protection.

I'm not advocating using a poor quality filter on a piece of pro
glass... just that I'd rather throw away a filter rather than be
without or have to repair my 80-200.... just spitballing though
Click to expand...
 
Any suggestions on what brand/model is of good quality?

Price range?

Thanks for in advance!

Adrian
 
Hi,

With the camera set to aperture priority close in to the smallest setting for the lenses (largest F number).

Take a picture up close of a 'white background'. It,s likely you will need a tripod and self timer as the speed will be slow, use the flash.

Open the pic in your editor, I use photoshop. It is easier to see the 'spots' if you brighten the picture up.

The first time I did this was to check dust on the CCD, I have since bought a CCD cleaning system. You are likely to find a number of spots of dirt etc. and you need to eliminate these to find your scratch.

If after a bit of cleaning there is no impairment to your lense the scratch is not an issue.

If your lenses is coated the scratch may be only in the coating and the light will pass through without a problem.

Cheers,

Hotworks
 
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