What do you do when you crack the rear element on your lens?

ZombieArmy · 09-24-2021, 11:36 AM - **7 Likes**

image from the ebay auction

Well, you just keep shooting of course.

I'm honestly astonished by the results. I did some test shots at f11 and couldn't actually see any issues (not posting here cause it's in my yard). This makes me incredibly excited to do a SIC next month with this lens and really put it through it's paces. Is anyone here interested in a comprehensive review of a cracked lens after the month?

The lens is the venerable FA* 85mm f1.4. A lens that I'd have absolutely no way to afford if not in this state

**Pål Jensen** · 09-24-2021, 12:24 PM - **1 Like**

I replaced once the rear element of the A* 135/1.8. It was very cheap. About $40. Worth to check out if Pentax can fix it.

**BigMackCam** · 09-24-2021, 12:26 PM

Unbelievable. Is it that good at all focal distances? And how in the name of all that's holy does someone crack the rear element ?! Does it stick right out or something??

ZombieArmy · 09-24-2021, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

I replaced once the rear element of the A* 135/1.8. It was very cheap. About $40. Worth to check out if Pentax can fix it.

Yah once I have funds I plan on seeing if I can get it fixed. But it's nice to know that it seems to work just fine (on APSC at least).

trixtroll · 09-24-2021, 12:27 PM

Those are some surprisingly nice images.

I seem to recall a recent thread with a similar chip out of a lens and the person indicated it was causing some interesting flares when the sun hit it at the "right" angle, but was otherwise pretty OK on APS-C.

Then there is this:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/197570-...ed-lenses.html

I'd think the rear element would be super noticeable, so I suspect it's just outside the APS-C image circle.

ZombieArmy · 09-24-2021, 12:29 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Unbelievable. Is it that good at all focal distances? And how in the name of all that's holy does someone crack the rear element ?! Does it stick right out or something??

Yah I tested it on longer distances and I seriously couldn't notice anything, even boosting the exposure trying to find blemishes. I will have examples I'm sure when I star doing the SIC challenge. I'm sure the central crack has to show up SOMEWHERE, probably at f16 or something.

And no the rear element seems pretty standard to me. It's not super recessed like the Tamron 90mm or anything but it's not sticking out like the Tak 50 1.4 8 element.

**pepperberry farm** · 09-24-2021, 12:33 PM

nice. - I wondered if that would give you any trouble when you previewed that lens....

ZombieArmy · 09-24-2021, 12:40 PM

Originally posted by trixtroll

I'd think the rear element would be super noticeable, so I suspect it's just outside the APS-C image circle.

The seller had example shots on a k-1. He said that wide open and slightly stopped down was fine but became noticeable stopped down to f8 or f11. So I assume on APSC the big damage is just out of frame entirely.

**DonV** · 09-24-2021, 01:08 PM

I can see the chips not causing a problem on aspc, or much of one- but is that a crack or reflection extending across the rear element?
If a closed crack, it must be "invisible" when viewed straight on - thus not interfering !?

ZombieArmy · 09-24-2021, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by DonV

I can see the chips not causing a problem on aspc, or much of one- but is that a crack or reflection extending across the rear element?
If a closed crack, it must be "invisible" when viewed straight on - thus not interfering !?

That is indeed a crack going across

garywakeling · 09-24-2021, 01:29 PM

Well done on taking the chance, it gives me hope that if mine falls I might not panic so much if the rear element is exposed! Now the bigger question is did it scratch the paint finish ?

Here's what my SIC looked like https://flic.kr/s/aHsmDWcs5u

ZombieArmy · 09-24-2021, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by garywakeling

Well done on taking the chance, it gives me hope that if mine falls I might not panic so much if the rear element is exposed! Now the bigger question is did it scratch the paint finish ?

Oh the paint is awful on this lens.

Wheatfield · 09-24-2021, 02:22 PM - **1 Like**

It's amazing how much damage of that sort a lens can take and still give a good image.
It's also amazing how little cleaning marks it takes to ruin a lens.

**aslyfox** · 09-24-2021, 03:03 PM

@ZombieArmy

my first thought before I saw the images was to advise you throw a party:

You Tube

after seeing the results

I don't know

garywakeling · 09-24-2021, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

Oh the paint is awful on this lens.

A real diamond in the rough

09-24-2021, 11:36 AM - 7 Likes	#1
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	What do you do when you crack the rear element on your lens? image from the ebay auction Well, you just keep shooting of course. I'm honestly astonished by the results. I did some test shots at f11 and couldn't actually see any issues (not posting here cause it's in my yard). This makes me incredibly excited to do a SIC next month with this lens and really put it through it's paces. Is anyone here interested in a comprehensive review of a cracked lens after the month? The lens is the venerable FA* 85mm f1.4. A lens that I'd have absolutely no way to afford if not in this state

09-24-2021, 12:27 PM	#5
trixtroll Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 403	Those are some surprisingly nice images. I seem to recall a recent thread with a similar chip out of a lens and the person indicated it was causing some interesting flares when the sun hit it at the "right" angle, but was otherwise pretty OK on APS-C. Then there is this: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/197570-...ed-lenses.html I'd think the rear element would be super noticeable, so I suspect it's just outside the APS-C image circle. Last edited by trixtroll; 09-24-2021 at 12:35 PM.

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09-24-2021, 12:24 PM - 1 Like	#2
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	I replaced once the rear element of the A* 135/1.8. It was very cheap. About $40. Worth to check out if Pentax can fix it.

09-24-2021, 12:26 PM	#3
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	Unbelievable. Is it that good at all focal distances? And how in the name of all that's holy does someone crack the rear element ?! Does it stick right out or something??

09-24-2021, 12:26 PM	#4
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210 Original Poster	Originally posted by Pål Jensen I replaced once the rear element of the A* 135/1.8. It was very cheap. About $40. Worth to check out if Pentax can fix it. Yah once I have funds I plan on seeing if I can get it fixed. But it's nice to know that it seems to work just fine (on APSC at least).

09-24-2021, 12:29 PM - 1 Like	#6
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam Unbelievable. Is it that good at all focal distances? And how in the name of all that's holy does someone crack the rear element ?! Does it stick right out or something?? Yah I tested it on longer distances and I seriously couldn't notice anything, even boosting the exposure trying to find blemishes. I will have examples I'm sure when I star doing the SIC challenge. I'm sure the central crack has to show up SOMEWHERE, probably at f16 or something. And no the rear element seems pretty standard to me. It's not super recessed like the Tamron 90mm or anything but it's not sticking out like the Tak 50 1.4 8 element.

09-24-2021, 12:33 PM	#7
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	nice. - I wondered if that would give you any trouble when you previewed that lens....

09-24-2021, 12:40 PM	#8
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210 Original Poster	Originally posted by trixtroll I'd think the rear element would be super noticeable, so I suspect it's just outside the APS-C image circle. The seller had example shots on a k-1. He said that wide open and slightly stopped down was fine but became noticeable stopped down to f8 or f11. So I assume on APSC the big damage is just out of frame entirely.

09-24-2021, 01:08 PM	#9
DonV Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Near Charlotte NC Photos: Albums Posts: 693	I can see the chips not causing a problem on aspc, or much of one- but is that a crack or reflection extending across the rear element? If a closed crack, it must be "invisible" when viewed straight on - thus not interfering !?

09-24-2021, 01:20 PM	#10
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210 Original Poster	Originally posted by DonV I can see the chips not causing a problem on aspc, or much of one- but is that a crack or reflection extending across the rear element? If a closed crack, it must be "invisible" when viewed straight on - thus not interfering !? That is indeed a crack going across

09-24-2021, 01:29 PM	#11
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,759	Well done on taking the chance, it gives me hope that if mine falls I might not panic so much if the rear element is exposed! Now the bigger question is did it scratch the paint finish ? Here's what my SIC looked like https://flic.kr/s/aHsmDWcs5u

09-24-2021, 01:30 PM	#12
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210 Original Poster	Originally posted by garywakeling Well done on taking the chance, it gives me hope that if mine falls I might not panic so much if the rear element is exposed! Now the bigger question is did it scratch the paint finish ? Oh the paint is awful on this lens.

09-24-2021, 02:22 PM - 1 Like	#13
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	It's amazing how much damage of that sort a lens can take and still give a good image. It's also amazing how little cleaning marks it takes to ruin a lens.

09-24-2021, 03:09 PM	#15
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,759	Originally posted by ZombieArmy Oh the paint is awful on this lens. A real diamond in the rough