scratched lens on A1? at DVinfo.net

John L. Miller · May 26th, 2007, 06:35 PM

Well I took my A1 out today, first day away from home with it. When I pulled the lens cover off, I thought I noticed a smudge in about a half cm from the edge of the lens. I got my lens cleaner out and lightly cleaned the lens, but to no avail. It appears to be a very light scratch..one you cannot feel, but you can see it. It doesn't appear to show up in any video, but it is driving me nuts! Is there anything that I can use that will get a little more aggressive with removing this alien from my camera? Just your thoughts. I have no idea if it was on there when I got it or if I have done it..I have not had the camera for two weeks. J

Ken Wozniak · May 26th, 2007, 09:48 PM

Danger! Danger!

I wouldn't go any further than the lens cleaner...which you have already tried. Anything else you try would probably damage the coatings on the glass.

Since you've had it for such a short time, I think you should call Canon and tell them about it. Maybe it's a flaw that was on the lens when you received it.

John L. Miller · May 26th, 2007, 10:52 PM

good point. I think I will. I have shot another 10 minutes or so of footage using my Letus and without the Letus and I cannot see it at all in the shots. Apparently it is just in the coating, Nevertheless, I will call canon and take it from there. Thanks. J

William Becker · May 27th, 2007, 12:27 AM

if there was a scratch in the lens that was visable...how much would it cost to repair it? Just curious..

Don Palomaki · May 27th, 2007, 06:06 AM

FWIW: The front glass on the Canon VAP-equipped lenses is often a piece of protective glass, not a focusing element. Because it is pretty far out in front of the focusing section, stuff on it can appear in the image thanks to the depth of field and close focusing capability of the camcorder.

Blake Calhoun · May 27th, 2007, 10:12 AM

Woah, that's not good. I keep a clear UV filter on mine at all times for protection. Highly recommended.

Bill Pryor · May 27th, 2007, 10:50 AM

Same here--the protective filter is your friend.

I've used nothing but Tiffen filters for many years, but I read some good reviews about Hoya's 3mm thin clear glass filter, so I got that one. It was about $75 at a local dealer, about the same price on line and cheaper than the Tiffen equivalent. Because it's the super thin one there are not front threads, so you can't stack another filter on top.

May 26th, 2007, 06:35 PM	#1
John L. Miller Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 260	scratched lens on A1? Well I took my A1 out today, first day away from home with it. When I pulled the lens cover off, I thought I noticed a smudge in about a half cm from the edge of the lens. I got my lens cleaner out and lightly cleaned the lens, but to no avail. It appears to be a very light scratch..one you cannot feel, but you can see it. It doesn't appear to show up in any video, but it is driving me nuts! Is there anything that I can use that will get a little more aggressive with removing this alien from my camera? Just your thoughts. I have no idea if it was on there when I got it or if I have done it..I have not had the camera for two weeks. J

May 26th, 2007, 09:48 PM	#2
Ken Wozniak Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Bend, IN Posts: 179	Danger! Danger! I wouldn't go any further than the lens cleaner...which you have already tried. Anything else you try would probably damage the coatings on the glass. Since you've had it for such a short time, I think you should call Canon and tell them about it. Maybe it's a flaw that was on the lens when you received it. __________________ Woz

May 27th, 2007, 06:06 AM	#5
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	FWIW: The front glass on the Canon VAP-equipped lenses is often a piece of protective glass, not a focusing element. Because it is pretty far out in front of the focusing section, stuff on it can appear in the image thanks to the depth of field and close focusing capability of the camcorder. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

May 27th, 2007, 10:12 AM	#6
Blake Calhoun Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 157	Woah, that's not good. I keep a clear UV filter on mine at all times for protection. Highly recommended. __________________ Mainly dabble in features and WebTV: www.pinktheseries.com \| www.facebook.com/continuumtv \| www.killingdown.com

May 26th, 2007, 10:52 PM	#3
John L. Miller Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 260	good point. I think I will. I have shot another 10 minutes or so of footage using my Letus and without the Letus and I cannot see it at all in the shots. Apparently it is just in the coating, Nevertheless, I will call canon and take it from there. Thanks. J

May 27th, 2007, 12:27 AM	#4
William Becker New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 18	if there was a scratch in the lens that was visable...how much would it cost to repair it? Just curious..

May 27th, 2007, 10:50 AM	#7
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Same here--the protective filter is your friend. I've used nothing but Tiffen filters for many years, but I read some good reviews about Hoya's 3mm thin clear glass filter, so I got that one. It was about $75 at a local dealer, about the same price on line and cheaper than the Tiffen equivalent. Because it's the super thin one there are not front threads, so you can't stack another filter on top.