small nick in the glass... hmmm...

hey guys...

there's a Craiglist posting for a 35L. and when i went to check out the lens, there was a nick in the glass.. It was near the edge of the front element (looked as if it got bumped). As i tested the lens, the lens was wicked sharp, and it performed like a new one... it was tack sharp, and didnt require any micro adjustment.

when i tested the lens at f22, the nick was not even in the image... and even though i saw dust in my sensor, the nick was not visible as it was out of the image circle

this guy was selling the lens for half of the price of a new one... a new one costs 1700 after taxes (12%), and this one costs 950. (we're in canada)

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i found another one, and this guy has claimed that it's mint... i havent yet tested this lens and this goes for 1250.

what do you guys think... nick and save 300, mint and not save 300 or buy new...

i have no intention in reselling this lens. I want this lens and it seems to be the perfect match for the 5dii.

If it were me, I'd be all over the one that's cheaper and has the nick in the glass. Go for it!

Personally.. I would go for the 300$ more lens. I know you said its not in the image, but the nick would bother me.

kito109654 wrote in post #8622694
If it were me, I'd be all over the one that's cheaper and has the nick in the glass. Go for it!

thanks for your input...

3 people went after it within 15 minutes it was posted...

i looked at it, and begged the guy to reserve it for me fora day and he did... so i'll come pick it up tomorrow...

I think the smart thing to do would be to get the cheaper one with the nick if it doesn't effect image quality. I agree with acpoweradapter though, I think the nick would bother me.

acpoweradapter wrote in post #8622734
Personally.. I would go for the 300$ more lens. I know you said its not in the image, but the nick would bother me.

thanks for your input...

yeah it might bug me as well... hmmm... maybe ill just come to peace with the nick. LOL

Everytime someone wonders about scratches, nicks or dust I have them look at this: http://www.lensrentals​.com …0/front-element-scratches

Unless you're shooting in conditions where refraction might show up you'll likely never notice it. Yeah, it'll sell for less to someone else in the future but you're paying less now.

gooble wrote in post #8622795
Everytime someone wonders about scratches, nicks or dust I have them look at this: http://www.lensrentals​.com …0/front-element-scratches

Unless you're shooting in conditions where refraction might show up you'll likely never notice it. Yeah, it'll sell for less to someone else in the future but you're paying less now.

so your basically saying... go for it... because "Dust on the sensor may show up on an image, but a bit of dust within the lens or scratches on the front element really aren’t something to worry about." - lens rentals

Take photos and enjoy. Put a 72mm filter on it and "forget about it...."

Almost all of my lenses were purchased brand new but thats just me. However if your purchasing a lens that seldom has issues I'd go for it. If you buy a Sigma 50 or 50L thats a different story.

AlanU wrote in post #8622817
Take photos and enjoy. Put a 72mm filter on it and "forget about it...."

Almost all of my lenses were purchased brand new but thats just me. However if your purchasing a lens that seldom has issues I'd go for it. If you buy a Sigma 50 or 50L thats a different story.

alan, i was waiting for you to chime in.. you always do so on my threads. LOL and i post lots of threads because i am always so confused about lenses and which is should buy. LOL

Chris Marquardt makes a good point about the hang-ups people have about nicks and scratches - You don't focus on the front element. It's almost never going to show to unless you shoot in ridiculous extreme situations all the time.

$300 saved is a lot of money that can go to other useful endeavours or purchases. If I could get one at that price and I had the cash, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat.

darosk wrote in post #8622851
Chris Marquardt makes a good point about the hang-ups people have about nicks and scratches - You don't focus on the front element. It's almost never going to show to unless you shoot in ridiculous extreme situations all the time.

$300 saved is a lot of money that can go to other useful endeavours or purchases. If I could get one at that price and I had the cash, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat.

thanks for your input. so far a lot more people are going after nick in glass. LOL

Marloon wrote in post #8622816
so your basically saying... go for it... because "Dust on the sensor may show up on an image, but a bit of dust within the lens or scratches on the front element really aren’t something to worry about." - lens rentals

I'm saying in general it's not something to get hung up on. On a case by case basis though it might be a problem. Certain nicks or scratches might "appear" more readily than others and might be unacceptable to you.

PP it out! Once you get it, do you mind posting images of the lens and images from the lens showing whether or not the nick is visible? I'm sure many of us could learn more about nicks and image quality (I know I will!)

You'll never know it's there, looking at the images.

The only consideration is for resale, so the price is important if you decide to sell it at some point. People will offer less for it, so, as the original did, he priced it at alower price than a pristine copy.