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Just curious if you can repair a lens with a scratched front element?

I know if might cost a few bob, but does anyone know if it can be done, or who might do it.

It's not a lens of mine.

Raskill wrote:Just curious if you can repair a lens with a scratched front element?

I know if might cost a few bob, but does anyone know if it can be done, or who might do it.

It's not a lens of mine.

Repair lens front element?
I think it's required to replace if it has a scratch on it.
What lens is it? and does it worth to replace the front element?

A Nikkor 300mm F/4.

In good condition other than the scratch, for about $350.

Wonder if it is worth it?

Does the scratch affect the image quality ?

How hard the scratch is? visible and deep?

The owner didn't say, but my concern would be the scratch catching the light and causing a 'flare' in the image.

Alan, ring Maxwell and get a price on replacing the front element. As an AF 300/4 s/h they sell for $800-900, then you can decide if it is worth it.

Raskill,
Other than that, buy and keep it for spare parts

Thanks folks, always get the answers here.

Cheers.

I've got a similar problem - Nikkor AF-D 20/2.8 that has a rear element that is scratched to buggery - rear lens cap came off in transit, the rear element sticks out quite a bit.

To say that the scratched rear element degrades image quality would be an understatement. If you want highlights to be rendered Days of Our Lives style, this is your lens!

I'd have less concerns about a scratched front element depending on how deep it was - if it's only the coating, probably not too bad. If it's etched the glass, mmm.

Anyone ever had a front / rear element replaced by Maxwell?

I got a minor ding on the front of my 80-400 vr. doesnt appear to affect image quality.

I had the hood on too, still unsure how a stick managed to get in and do that.
doh!!

Steve

Hi
If it is too old there are no spare part, last year I had a 80-200 2.8 one touch version , the forcusing shaft go about 3 mm inside so it cuould not be driven by the body, I took it to Maxwell and they quoted approx $150-200 to fix , so I gave them the lens few days later they rang up and said it is too old , no spare can not fix it and of course no charged. If there no effect on picture quality i think that you do not fix it , leave it as is and use because Maxwell repair is very expensive.

Regards
Spada BTW :my lens fixed at home

colour the scratch in with a texta to stop the flare ...
heard someone had to do it when on assignment somewhere remote and it worked fine as a temporary measure until they got back to civilization.

haven't tried it myself as i don't have any scratched lenses.

Big Red wrote:colour the scratch in with a texta to stop the flare ...
heard someone had to do it when on assignment somewhere remote and it worked fine as a temporary measure until they got back to civilization.

That only works on Sigma lenses.





I'd be not looking to buy this one, except as a parts repository. The best way to fix something like this is to have an equivalent lens with some other problem, and cannibalise one to fix the other.

If you're looking to move into the lens repair business, itmight be worthwhile.

Big Red wrote:colour the scratch in with a texta to stop the flare ...
heard someone had to do it when on assignment somewhere remote and it worked fine as a temporary measure until they got back to civilization.

haven't tried it myself as i don't have any scratched lenses.

What colour texta did he use? Black.

Scratches on the front element of a 300mm lens will have little affect on image quality apart from a little flare occasionally. It's a bit like pushing your lens up against the wire on a cage at the zoo. The wire is invisible on images. Scratches on wide angle lenses however, are bad.