Lens front surface chipped - how worrying ?

[jimbo035]

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Saw a small more-or-less elliptical chip whilst looking through the rear element of a recently acquired 21mm Super-Angulon-R today and further investigation with a 8x magnifying glass revealed it to be on the surface of the front element, about halfway between the centre & the edge. Taking the magnification factor into account, the chip is less than a milimetre in diameter, and certainly difficult to find looking at the front of the lens with the naked eye under a bright lamp (in my case assisted by newly prescribed bi-focal eye-glasses)

 

The (TMax 400) film with several frames taken wth the Angulon just after it arrived is being sent off for D&P Monday, and I'm hoping the damage won't have affected the images.

 

Anyone out there happily using a lens that has suffered similar damage ? Am I right in thinking its too insignificant to worry about, or should I send the lens back for a replacement ? Luckily the Vendor has another two in stock.....

[wildlightphoto]

Saw a small more-or-less elliptical chip whilst looking through the rear element of a recently acquired 21mm Super-Angulon-R today and further investigation with a 8x magnifying glass revealed it to be on the surface of the front element, about halfway between the centre & the edge. Taking the magnification factor into account, the chip is less than a milimetre in diameter, and certainly difficult to find looking at the front of the lens with the naked eye under a bright lamp (in my case assisted by newly prescribed bi-focal eye-glasses)

 

The (TMax 400) film with several frames taken wth the Angulon just after it arrived is being sent off for D&P Monday, and I'm hoping the damage won't have affected the images.

 

Anyone out there happily using a lens that has suffered similar damage ? Am I right in thinking its too insignificant to worry about, or should I send the lens back for a replacement ? Luckily the Vendor has another two in stock.....

 

Theoretically it will affect the image in some way, whether perceptible or not is another question. There photos were made with a 560mm f/6.8 Telyt with several scratches and nicks visible with the naked eye:

 

 

 

 

I wouldn't worry about it but if you have nagging doubts, send it back. Or ask for a price adjustment.

[Guest AgXlove]

Anyone out there happily using a lens that has suffered similar damage ? Am I right in thinking its too insignificant to worry about, or should I send the lens back for a replacement ? Luckily the Vendor has another two in stock.....

As I understand such matters, the damage will likely not show up in your negatives/chromes unless you are shooting directly into a harsh light source or unless direct light is striking the front element of your lens. In such a scenario, the chip could cause flare or reflections inside the lens.

 

If the vendor has two more to choose from, I'd exchange it, if doing so would get you a better quality lens.

[earleygallery]

I'd be surprised if such a small defect would show up at all, see how the negs turn out.

 

I have a Nikkor 28mm which I really shouldn't have bought, even if it was cheap, it's pretty badly marked on the front element but the photos with it look fine. My father used a Retina lllc which had a cracked front element albeit near the edge, again never caused any issues.

 

Whether to replace or not is a tough one - if you can swap for an identical lens in as good condition but without the chip then I'd do it, but if say your lens if perfectly good otherwise and another lens has cleaning marks or more internal dust I'd stick with the chipped one!

[pgk]

I would say that the effect of a small chip on the front surface of the front element on performance is unlikely to be visible under normal circumstances but it may increase flare if shooting into the light. A simple remedy if you decide to keep it and if you are prepared to do so, is to use a black felt tip pen to blacken the chip - then it won't create additional flare . Many years ago I owned a 135mm Takumar lens with a bad chip which did cause flare - blacking the chip solved this, but it was a cheap lens and this was because of the chip which had seriously devalued it before I bought it. If you can get an unchipped one instead it may well be worth doing so depending on the price you paid.

[Guest mc_k]

probably affect your resale value, though

[jimbo035]

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probably affect your resale value, though

my resale value ? Oh, you're thinking that there may be a day when I want or need to sell the Angulon.

 

Very very unlikely, as I'm perfectly happy to keep on using the SL and three lenses I've bought indefinately, apart from the 1966 35/2.8 - perhaps soon to be part-exchaged for a "younger" 35 Summicron.

[marcg]

Yes, but your heirs may want to sell it.

[tobey bilek]

I thinks marcg has the implications properly addressed. Or if you want to sell it.

 

If it was cheap, keep it. If not as advertised, return it.

 

If you keep it and want to eliminate possible problems, then touch up the depression with india ink and a ooo brush. the classic fix, You will never see it on film.

[jimbo035]

A satisfactory conclusion, as the vendor is willing to take it back and to hold one of the other two they have in stock accordingly.

[integrale]

Some time ago I found on the internet a (non-scientific) test on the impact on IQ of dust, scratches and damage to the lens.

 

I'm sorry but I can't locate the test right now (will post link, if/when I locate it); the results were quite surprising that even heavy grease and scratches had a limited impact on image quality.

 

Of course, it depends on placement of the scratch, how much light is de/reflected passing through the element.

 

You can try some googling (I will).

[gabriel]

Lets have a competition to see who has the biggest chip (on their lens)

[wildlightphoto]

Lets have a competition to see who has the biggest chip (on their lens)

 

Or see how much virtual anguish we can cause with photos of our chipped glass

 

I've had my worst one repaired: a fingernail-sized flake off the edge of the 280 APO's front element. Five years ago. Still hurts to think about it.

[dkCambridgeshire]

I have a 90mm Summicron M Aspheric with a chip in the front element which I bought used at a good discount. The chip is just off centre and so far has had no effect on the image. If it ever does affect the image eg when used against the light then I'm confident that a spec. of black paint will remedy the problem.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

[gwelland]

The biggest issue with an front element damage is the subsequent sensitivity to flare/artifacts in direct light. I've had a similar situation with a lens with very minor damage that 99.9% of the time is perfect but when catching the light of say direct view into the sun or a street light it will produce an ugly flare.