View Full Version : Lens tests for cracks
Dizkoteck
10-16-2005, 11:25 PM
Hey peoples,
So heres the thing, I borrowed a friends SLR lens(nikon) and I dropped it. My heart skipped a beat but while throughly checking it, I see no damage (to the naked eye) but is there a way that I can truly make sure I didnt do any damage to it? Even the slightest bit?
Thanks
~TONY
PS - Newtimer SLR here....used for 35 adapter
Open the aperture all the way, hold it up to a light and look through it. Any cracks or damage will probably be apparent. Also check the aperture and focus rings to be sure that they still turn smooth, and take some test shots to make sure the focus isn't out of whack. If that all looks OK, you're fine!
Dizkoteck
10-21-2005, 03:47 PM
Ok... I did some tests and the bad news was, yes there is some sort of scratch on the lens. I thought it was hair but alas, after a very close inspection I found a 1mm scratch on it.
By some miracle of God and the advancement of technology, is there a way or place to fix this or should I just get a new one?
Thanks my brovas
taubkin
10-21-2005, 05:09 PM
If it's a small scratch it should not be visible, shoot a picture, preferrably a lens definition chart and see if there is any damage (loss of sharpness in a given region). If it's small it shouldn't be a problem.
Some guys can take scratches of you lens, but they ave to resort to polishing. And that is bad because you loose all the lens coating that protects it aggainst flares and other image defects. So polishing is only left as a last resort and there are a few lenses in wich polishing could actually make sense.
I hope it helps.
Barry_Green
10-21-2005, 06:29 PM
One way to test for cracks is to see if there is a swarm of ants inside the lens.
Because ants -- well, the GL2 -- oh, never mind... :)
redindian
10-21-2005, 07:33 PM
pour water inside and see if it leaks...
Jon Oskar
10-21-2005, 08:29 PM
A lens can be quite scratched before you see a noticeable difference of image quality, that said, it makes a difference if it is a deep ore just a surface scratch. If it is in the middle its worse than towards the edge. But a millimeter scratch doesn't sound very serious.
Guess it depends on how nice of a lens it is and how picky your friend is...
As others have said, small scratches don't have a huge effect on image quality. They do have a huge effect on the value of the lens, however.
Dizkoteck
10-22-2005, 12:26 PM
Thanks so much for the responses guys, but as for image quality... Im using this as my 35mm adapter for my DVX(hence Im in DVXuser). So on the LCD screen, its pretty obvious cause theres a line at the center, looks like a eye lash hair on the image.
Well judging from what I read here and the options given and how I like to treat other people's things better than my own, I might as well get him a new lens. Ah crap... ramen noodles here we go
What lens is it? Might be cheaper to get it fixed...depends on the model.