topic Re: Removing scratches from front lens? in EF & RF Lenses

Removing scratches from front lens?

drilakin — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 15:58:35 GMT

I have a few small (light)scratches on the outside perimeter of my 18-135mm lens. I really do not see a problem with my images. But how do i remove them. Some recommend toothpaste, others very fine sandpaper 4000 etc. If use of toothpaste is recommended with sodium bicarbonate or without, with fluoride or not etc. And some recommend a water isopropyl mixture which i tried and did not work.. Thanks for your help!!

Re: Removing scratches from front lens?

Waddizzle — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 16:02:50 GMT

Do nothing. As long as your images are unaffected I would ignore it.

Re: Removing scratches from front lens?

jrhoffman75 — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 16:41:06 GMT

@Waddizzle wrote:
Do nothing. As long as your images are unaffected I would ignore it.

Agree. Since you can't see any impact of the scratches you won't gain anything by trying to remove them.

And you run the risk of creating damage that you will see.

Re: Removing scratches from front lens?

wq9nsc — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 17:28:52 GMT

Anything you do is going to make it worse. The lens likely has a coating and anything you do to remove scratches is likely to turn what is currently a non-problem (if the current images are acceptable) to something that is very noticeable.

Those glass scratch remover "kits" using some form of abrasive compound (includes toothpaste) are intended for removing cosmetic scratches from glass and not to "fix" optical glass. I restore vintage ham radio gear and have used various light abrasives to remove cosmetic defects from meter and dial glass but images aren't being taken through that glass.

Anything beyond proper cleaning of lens elements will range from doing nothing to turning a minor issue into a major issue.

Rodger

Re: Removing scratches from front lens?

Tronhard — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 19:35:52 GMT

Agree with the other posters. You have the scratches and it's too late to do anything about them. If you seriously run the risk of getting more then put on a good quality protective filter. I know this is a cause of much debate and people take positions, but the fact remains that if you had one on you would not be worrying about the scratches you now have.

Re: Removing scratches from front lens?

drilakin — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 14:40:47 GMT

the scratches were created by me when dismantling the front lens to clean the dust etc off the inside of the lens. I was successful. ugh!!

Re: Removing scratches from front lens?

RobertTheFat — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 16:13:14 GMT

@drilakin wrote:
the scratches were created by me when dismantling the front lens to clean the dust etc off the inside of the lens. I was successful. ugh!!

It's OK to practice on crappy lenses that you don't care about. But IMO nobody without professional experience in camera repair should disassemble a good lens.

Re: Removing scratches from front lens?

ebiggs1 — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 14:25:17 GMT

I agree with Robert, the lens is probably ruined.

Re: Removing scratches from front lens?

Tronhard — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 19:49:03 GMT

I guess that is lesson learned - the hard way.

I would never take a lens apart. Apart from the possiblity of damage, unless you have a clean room then you have an excellent chance of getting more dust further into the lens. I hate dust but also realize that it is more cosmetic than anything. It would have to be massive and I mean MASSIVE to have a significant impact on your images (unlide sensor dust). Finally you likely don't have the tools to ensure the micro level precision required to make sure the elements are perfectly aligned.

If the lens still works and produces sharp images, good for you and consider yourself very fortunate, but I would avoid further forays into that area.

Re: Removing scratches from front lens?

drilakin — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 19:55:05 GMT

Trevor, as per your advice i will leave any lens repair up to the professionals. Thanks for your tips!

Re: Removing scratches from front lens?

Tronhard — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 20:10:54 GMT

Sorry ... didn't mean to rub it in!

Have you tried the lens out since? If so, how are the images?

Re: Removing scratches from front lens?

drilakin — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 21:26:17 GMT

trevor you did not rub it in , The canon 18-135mm lens works fine. Thanks again!!