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**pentaxus** · 05-05-2021, 10:35 PM

A friend got surprisingly good results with a lens he accidentally whacked into the corner of a brick. That, of course is not recommended, and who knows how the lens would have performed with a nice front element. His grandmother told him to always have the sun behind him. That helped too.

kypfer · 05-06-2021, 01:41 AM

There's an "old trick" which involves filling any scratch with black paint. Having "hidden" the scratch like this, light can't get into the scratch to scatter so there's virtually no loss of image quality due to the scratch … worth a try?

**Rondec** · 05-06-2021, 02:34 AM

The big thing is just not to shoot right into strong light sources (it will tend to flare more). As long as you are OK with that, the lens should be fine.

**UncleVanya** · 05-06-2021, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by kypfer

There's an "old trick" which involves filling any scratch with black paint. Having "hidden" the scratch like this, light can't get into the scratch to scatter so there's virtually no loss of image quality due to the scratch … worth a try?

Great tip. I’ve heard it before but I’ve never been brave enough to.

kypfer · 05-06-2021, 03:51 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Great tip. I’ve heard it before but I’ve never been brave enough to.

Needs a fine brush and a loupe, but relatively straightforward.
Support the lens so the scratch is horizontal as possible, (mounted on a camera with the whole assembly on a tripod may be the easiest), then simply add paint very carefully and leave to dry. Any slight overspill can be ignored. If it all goes horribly wrong a drop of solvent on a cotton bud will remove it. Rag wrapped around everything 'cept the surface in question may be sensible

Working on the principle that "it's broke already so I can't harm it" I've had success with a couple of battered old lenses

**UncleVanya** · 05-06-2021, 08:29 PM

Originally posted by kypfer

Needs a fine brush and a loupe, but relatively straightforward.
Support the lens so the scratch is horizontal as possible, (mounted on a camera with the whole assembly on a tripod may be the easiest), then simply add paint very carefully and leave to dry. Any slight overspill can be ignored. If it all goes horribly wrong a drop of solvent on a cotton bud will remove it. Rag wrapped around everything 'cept the surface in question may be sensible

Working on the principle that "it's broke already so I can't harm it" I've had success with a couple of battered old lenses

Very cool. Good info on the camera/tripod to hold the lens while painting.

**PenPusher** · 05-07-2021, 12:38 AM

Since 2009 I've been a quiet (relatively) very happy member of the forum, I'm always amazed at how helpful members from all over the planet are and how willing to take their time and trouble to solve any question asked.

So it's not surprising that Pentax users are really loyal to the brand and a great pity that it doesn't get the recognition it deserves from other parties.

Thank you very much for your wisdom.

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05-05-2021, 10:35 PM	#16
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	A friend got surprisingly good results with a lens he accidentally whacked into the corner of a brick. That, of course is not recommended, and who knows how the lens would have performed with a nice front element. His grandmother told him to always have the sun behind him. That helped too.

05-06-2021, 01:41 AM	#17
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,600	There's an "old trick" which involves filling any scratch with black paint. Having "hidden" the scratch like this, light can't get into the scratch to scatter so there's virtually no loss of image quality due to the scratch … worth a try?

05-06-2021, 02:34 AM	#18
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,666	The big thing is just not to shoot right into strong light sources (it will tend to flare more). As long as you are OK with that, the lens should be fine.

05-06-2021, 02:07 PM	#19
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	Originally posted by kypfer There's an "old trick" which involves filling any scratch with black paint. Having "hidden" the scratch like this, light can't get into the scratch to scatter so there's virtually no loss of image quality due to the scratch … worth a try? Great tip. I’ve heard it before but I’ve never been brave enough to.

05-06-2021, 03:51 PM - 1 Like	#20
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,600	Originally posted by UncleVanya Great tip. I’ve heard it before but I’ve never been brave enough to. Needs a fine brush and a loupe, but relatively straightforward. Support the lens so the scratch is horizontal as possible, (mounted on a camera with the whole assembly on a tripod may be the easiest), then simply add paint very carefully and leave to dry. Any slight overspill can be ignored. If it all goes horribly wrong a drop of solvent on a cotton bud will remove it. Rag wrapped around everything 'cept the surface in question may be sensible Working on the principle that "it's broke already so I can't harm it" I've had success with a couple of battered old lenses

05-06-2021, 08:29 PM	#21
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	Originally posted by kypfer Needs a fine brush and a loupe, but relatively straightforward. Support the lens so the scratch is horizontal as possible, (mounted on a camera with the whole assembly on a tripod may be the easiest), then simply add paint very carefully and leave to dry. Any slight overspill can be ignored. If it all goes horribly wrong a drop of solvent on a cotton bud will remove it. Rag wrapped around everything 'cept the surface in question may be sensible Working on the principle that "it's broke already so I can't harm it" I've had success with a couple of battered old lenses Very cool. Good info on the camera/tripod to hold the lens while painting.

05-07-2021, 12:38 AM	#22
PenPusher Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,048 Original Poster	Since 2009 I've been a quiet (relatively) very happy member of the forum, I'm always amazed at how helpful members from all over the planet are and how willing to take their time and trouble to solve any question asked. So it's not surprising that Pentax users are really loyal to the brand and a great pity that it doesn't get the recognition it deserves from other parties. Thank you very much for your wisdom.

Scratched or not ?

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