How To Fix Scratch On Camera Lens

That feeling when y'all accept the lens cap off to reveal a scratch. How did that become at that place? When did that happen? Is it going to bear on my photos? These are just some of the questions that will no dubiety run through your head should you detect yourself in this state of affairs.

Cameras and their lenses are expensive pieces of equipment so the last affair you lot want to remember virtually is having to replace your favorite lens but considering there's a bit of a scratch on it.

camera-lens-scratches-1 It would be much easier if you could just repair it right? But is that even possible?

Luckily, you have several options open to you. From sending it to the manufacturer for repair, buying a lens repair kit or opting for a DIY method, you lot definitely have choices when it comes to getting that lens back into action.

Obviously, the right option will vary depending on your circumstances, the kind of impairment the lens has sustained and the make and model of the lens. In some cases your scratched lens may not fifty-fifty need repairing!

The most important thing to do if you find yourself with a scratched lens is non to panic! It doesn't hateful that your lens is no adept anymore and you have to go out and buy another one. Instead take a little time to investigate exactly what'south going on.

It may turn out that its not a scratch at all but actually just some clay or an eye lash. All the same, in the event that it is a scratch that does need repairing I'll accept y'all through your different repair options below.

Do camera lens scratches affair?

Camera lens scratches are a large bargain to photographers because they have the potential to affect the image capture process. Depending on where on the lens the scratch is located, how big it is and how deep it is will depend on what kind of result it volition have.

For example, a small, surface level scratch found on towards the outside of the lens will likely have very petty effect on images and and then it probably wouldn't be worth bothering with repairing information technology. Well, unless it got larger over fourth dimension similar when a chipped windscreen on a auto turns into a scissure.

Larger scratches, on the other paw, have the potential to crusade blurring and distortion of an prototype and may even bear upon the photographic camera's ability to focus properly. These kinds of camera lens scratches are also more likely to be deeper too which can alter the way that the lite scatters. While not an result almost of the time it can increase the chances of picking upwards lens flares, altering dissimilarity and even collecting grit and dirt inside them.

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In full general, it'south probably not as bad equally you recall. For example, as a glasses wearer my glasses are often dirty, have smudges on them and I fifty-fifty have a tiny flake in the top left corner. However, mostly I don't notice any of it and it's the same when information technology comes to your photographic camera lens.

Scratches usually merely brand a tiny part of your image blurry and when using small-scale apertures almost of the epitome isn't in focus anyhow so the scratch would blend in with the rest of the epitome. It's only actually when yous get to college apertures, where more than of the image is in focus that yous might outset to see the imperfections.

However, much like when correcting for sensor dust issues caused by scratched lenses tin be corrected for using editing software. It'due south therefore important to exercise a bit of testing to effigy out if the state of affairs is as bad as you commencement thought before rushing off to repair information technology or even buy a new lens.

Tin camera lens scratches be repaired?

Depending on how bad your photographic camera lens is scratched will depend on whether it tin be repaired or not. However, if your lens is too badly scratched to be repaired that doesn't necessarily mean that your only option is to buy a new lens.

You tin can, instead opt to replace the front element of the lens. Although its worth noting that this can be expensive and is not e'er covered under your manufacturer's warranty so information technology's worth checking if it is and how much it will set you back first.

Near of the time replacing the front element is not needed and you tin simply but put up with the scratch. However, for those that find themselves in need of a repair but replacing the front element is either not worth it or too expensive there are a few different options you tin use to try and repair the scratch.

Use a Camera Lens Repair Kit

If sending your camera off to a repair shop is not an option, then getting your ain repair kit may be the side by side best option. These kits unremarkably incorporate a bunch of dissimilar tools allowing you lot to go far and repair different aspects of your camera lens.

They can be a peachy selection for those experienced photographers who know their way around a camera. Withal, it is worth pointing out that pulling apart your photographic camera lens yourself may void whatsoever warranties or guarantees then it'south worth checking first.

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Rubbing Alcohol Method

One of several DIY methods for repairing scratched cameras lenses, it is important that the rubbing booze is diluted before using (one office alcohol to 20 parts water). Otherwise it will really cause more impairment to the lens. Once diluted, dip a clean microfiber cloth into the rubbing booze earlier gently rubbing information technology over the scratched expanse of the lens. The scratch should start to slowly disappear and once gone you lot can have another microfiber cloth and clean the remainder of the lens upward ready for taking photos with.

Repair the Photographic camera Lens Scratch with Vaseline

Some other DIY method is to use Vaseline. While this has been shown to work quite well on scratched plastic screens such as laptops the jury is even so out on whether this is the best option for your scratched drinking glass photographic camera lens.

Y'all first demand to clean the lens as y'all would normally using a lens cleaning solution and a microfiber textile. Once dry you can so apply a minor amount of Vaseline to the scratch with a clean finger. Next accept a new, clean microfiber fabric and wipe off the backlog.

This method essentially makes the scratch disappear and and then volition need to exist done semi-regular as the Vaseline rubs off over fourth dimension. It's too worth noting that the oily-ness of the Vaseline may bear on the photos you are taking. The upside though is if it doesn't piece of work for you it is completely reversible.

Utilise Toothpaste

Toothpaste is a fairly popular scratched lens DIY selection probably because its known to be slightly abrasive and everyone has some in their abode. As with the other methods you need to apply the toothpaste to the scratch (using a cotton bud can work really well) and gently rub it in. Yous then remove the toothpaste using a make clean microfiber fabric.

Information technology's worth noting that there is the possibility that as the toothpaste works information technology could besides remove the lens coating likewise.

Drinking glass Windscreen Shine

Lots of cars ofttimes get chips and scratches caused past modest stones and other things hitting the windscreen. This has meant that a wide diversity of car windscreen polishing products are on the market place and as both the automobile windscreen and your camera lens is fabricated from glass it isn't as well far-fetched to imagine it working well.

In that location are a few stories circulating on photography forums about people using this technique and it is working well. One particular account tells how they used it to restore and quondam camera lens that was already stripped of its lens coating and plant that it brought it back to its former glory and even gave it a new lens blanket!

Other DIY Methods

The cyberspace is an interesting identify total of weird and wonderful things and equally such at that place are a couple other DIY methods for repairing scratches out there. How viable these are I exercise not know, all the same in the interest of providing you with as must data as possible I merely wanted to quickly touch them.

The first is using a new, clean pencil eraser to well, eraser the scratch. I imagine that this will work best with smaller scratches. The second and probably weirdest it a banana and baking soda combination. Basically, you're supposed to add some baking soda to a piece of banana and then use to wipe away the scratches. Obviously, you would demand to clean the lens afterward.

Here'southward DialedTechs top tips:

Prevention Is the Easiest Way to Repair Your Scratched Camera Lens

Yep, it'southward a footling cheesy, simply protecting your camera and looking later it is the easiest way overcome this whole saga. Not having a scratch to repair is definitely the easiest manner just I am aware that accidents do happen later all. No one is perfect.

Using UV filters is a popular style to do this. They protect your lens but don't affect the image in the same fashion a color filter would. You tin can also brand sure that your photographic camera is secure using the strap and stored away with the lens cap on in a suitable handbag or case.

I promise this article was helpful in helping y'all bargain with existing lens scratches and preventing new ones.

Learn more camera-care tips whether you're a beginner or an proficient here.