Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/11/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]My 2-euro-cents worth of pessimism Always be wary when someone says "nice". And ask yourself how much impact or pressure you need to make a one inch scratch that deep. Perhaps enough to knock something else out of kilter. As Larry says, it will not (I prefer to say "should not") affect the performance - however, if at all possible, find a way to test and try the lens before you buy - or at least get a "return and refund, no questions asked' guarantee in writing in case the lens doesn't perform. If the seller refuses to give you one, then the problem is much worse than he says. At the end of the day, the value of the lens is always what you are prepared to pay for it. Cheers Douglas Lawrence Zeitlin wrote: > > On Nov 24, 2008, at 9:51 AM, Richard wrote: > >> So lets say I am looking at a modern Zeiss lens with T* coating, and >> there's a scratch on it. Lets say 1 inch long and definitely at least >> as deep as the coating. The seller claims the pictures are "nice >> without observed effects from the scratch." The lens normally goes >> for $1500, but this one with the scratch is asking for $1200. What do >> you think? Worth $1000? > > A shallow scratch on the front surface of a lens usually will not > impair photographic performance unless shooting into the light. In > that case the light scattered by the scratch will lower contrast > slightly. The discussion is reminiscent of the concern raised half a > century ago by small bubbles in optical glass. Leica's advice was to > forget about it. Legendary repairman Marty Forscher used to cover > small lens scratches and chips with a tiny dab of black paint, applied > by a toothpick, to discourage light scattering. Take it from one who > often carried lenses uncased in the bottom of a camera bag. > > Offer $1000 and see if the seller takes it. > > Larry Z > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >