poli Posted January 23 Share #1 Posted January 23 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I am looking into buying a used Summaron 2.8. I am planning to use it mainly for b&w film. the front element has a scratch. (See photo at one o’clock) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! do you think this will have any effect on photos taken with this lens? Edited January 23 by poli Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! do you think this will have any effect on photos taken with this lens? ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/418797-scratched-front-element/?do=findComment&comment=5745439'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 23 Posted January 23 Hi poli, Take a look here Scratched front element. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Dazzajl Posted January 23 Share #2 Posted January 23 It’s pretty unlikely that you’ll ever notice or even be able to detect whatever effect that scratch will have. The biggest issue to consider is whether the price reflects the resale value. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darylgo Posted January 23 Share #3 Posted January 23 (edited) No effect except possible flare, this might be slightly visible on a few images. I've shot with much longer and deeper scratches without seeing anything significant. The price should be reduced significantly for this scratch. The glass appears to have haze, that would have a potentially greater effect. Edited January 23 by darylgo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted January 23 Share #4 Posted January 23 If the scratch really bothers you, you can do like others have done, filling it with black ink, although I think, as it is, it will have little if any effect on your results unless you often shoot into a light source, and then you will possibly get some flare. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
f8low Posted January 23 Share #5 Posted January 23 (edited) Market value of lenses with clear scratches seems quite a bit lower to me. Other than that, nice lens, in particular for bnw film 🙂 Edited January 23 by f8low Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted January 23 Share #6 Posted January 23 1 hour ago, poli said: ...do you think this will have any effect on photos taken with this lens? No. As Darylgo has mentioned there could be the slightest chance that the lens might be more prone to flare but my advice would be to simply buy a hood... Great lens BTW. Philip. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 23 Share #7 Posted January 23 Advertisement (gone after registration) 1 minute ago, pippy said: No. +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 24 Share #8 Posted January 24 If the lens is a bit cheaper get it because whether you use it for B&W or colour, or on a digital body, there won't be any problems with it. Normal lens flare will swamp any from the scratch so a lens hood is always a good idea. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 24 Share #9 Posted January 24 For many years my Father used a Retina lllC (which I now have) which has a small crack in one of the elements. It was never an issue. I’m not sure how it came to be damaged, the camera is excellent. Obviously the lens here should be priced to reflect condition but I wouldn’t hesitate otherwise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
_leicaguru Posted February 3 Share #10 Posted February 3 On 1/24/2025 at 4:03 AM, poli said: I am looking into buying a used Summaron 2.8. I am planning to use it mainly for b&w film. the front element has a scratch. (See photo at one o’clock) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! do you think this will have any effect on photos taken with this lens? You probably won't notice anything in your images, but I would never buy a lens that had a scratch on it. There are plenty of summarons without scratches. Unless they're giving it away. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted February 3 Share #11 Posted February 3 FWIW (non Leica photo attached!) the photo here is from an 1862 lens which has many marks on its glass suraces as well as about 10% delamination of the front glass doublet which consists of two elements glued togather with Canada Balsam. It is difficult to be precise about the results of flaws to the optics but generally it increases the propensity to flare and reduces contrast as a result, but this also depends on the subject and lighting to a large degree. Small scratches are unlikely to be seriously problematic in my experience; its more a matter of devalueing a lens and whether you are prepared to live with a damaged optic. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/418797-scratched-front-element/?do=findComment&comment=5751051'>More sharing options...
poli Posted February 3 Author Share #12 Posted February 3 (edited) Thanks for all the responses. In my search for the perfect 35mm... I came across a reasonably prices KOB (German edition, in very good condition). it's on its way. I think I will like it even more. The Summaron was not priced accordingly the scratch. Edited February 3 by poli Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
_leicaguru Posted February 4 Share #13 Posted February 4 22 hours ago, poli said: Thanks for all the responses. In my search for the perfect 35mm... I came across a reasonably prices KOB (German edition, in very good condition). it's on its way. I think I will like it even more. The Summaron was not priced accordingly the scratch. That sounds better. I hope it's fine. Just know with used lenses the savings usually go towards servicing them. People don't take care of their stuff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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