TS-E 17mm - how tough is the front element? Example of scratching it

jimewall wrote in post #17104344
But ---

--- really?

Even if I had the cap on I wouldn't do this. Pocket, pouch, bag, possibly even gently setting it on level gravel - but this?!?

Yes. The gravel was level, but I still usually 'seat' the lens to make sure it doesn't fall over and get dirt in the rear. I don't care if the cap gets scratched and if I put the lens on anything else, or try to just hold it, I'm likely to drop it or knock it over. I didn't want to go into details and I realize this is unorthodox and wouldn't necessarily recommend it as a method, but it has served me well for many years and thousands of lens changes. But I was in a really 'weird' and distracted frame of mind - really I shouldn't have even had my camera out. If I hadn't done that, I'd probably knocked my tripod over or something.

jimewall wrote in post #17104344
For the record though, you can't borrow any of my equipment.

Yea, I don't tend to like borrowing other peoples stuff. But obviously if I did this to someones lens I'd replace the front element as a minimum. But whatever anyone takes away from this thread, that should probably be #1. Don't lend Jenner camera gear!

As an aside, I just sold my 17-40 and so I had a good check over it for scratches and dings. I figured the glass would be OK - I'm generally good at keeping the glass clean (the above was an exception), but I was surprised to find the exterior 'like new'. I've used that lens a lot too - so just to proove I can keep some gear in good condition.

Woa.... im so glad I did not buy your 17-40... no offense.

my gear only sees my hands or my bag... never anything else.

Talley wrote in post #17106471
my gear only sees my hands or my bag... never anything else.

Your photos must be very dark!

"Filter since day one" or "I 'seat' my lenses in gravel."
The choice is yours. Not that I buy them to sell them, I buy them to use them and do not sweat the small stuff. But when I buy them, I'll take door #1 over door #2. Not even being critical of how you use your tools- that's totally up to you.

Talley wrote in post #17106471
Woa.... im so glad I did not buy your 17-40... no offense.

my gear only sees my hands or my bag... never anything else.

Yea, the person who bought it must be freaking out right now . - until they see (and use) it, then they'll be happy.

The thing is I've seen several people looking for a scratched 85 1.2L in the hopes of getting it cheap (I was one of them at one point). I wonder how many people would love a 'scratched' TS-E 17mm for $1200-1400 when it has none, or minimal impact on IQ.

A joke's quality is measured by the duration of the silent astonishment that precedes the explosion of laughter.

Still waiting for the latter...

2ndviolinman wrote in post #17106511
"Filter since day one" or "I 'seat' my lenses in gravel."
The choice is yours. Not that I buy them to sell them, I buy them to use them and do not sweat the small stuff. But when I buy them, I'll take door #1 over door #2. Not even being critical of how you use your tools- that's totally up to you.

Filter since day one on a TS-E 17 is impossible

for the OP, I also have the 17mm, love it to bits, what happen to you is unfortunate, but hey, no different than one being distracted and dropping a nice lens, stuff happens, all one can do is cry and move on

Filter since day one on a TS-E 17 is impossible


Yeah, I meant in general, and for the "scratched to hell and back, but does not affect image quality, so selling for $50 less" crowd.

You mentioned that you used a rocket blower, but did you try actually cleaning the front element, just in case some of the marks are dirt, etc, rather than scratches? There was a thread a while back about a guy who thought he had scratched his sensor, but it turned out to be crap from the front of his blower.

NullMind wrote in post #17107529
Filter since day one on a TS-E 17 is impossible

Nothing's impossible
http://www.mylampparts​.com …s/glass/glass-globes.aspx

archer1960 wrote in post #17107629
You mentioned that you used a rocket blower, but did you try actually cleaning the front element, just in case some of the marks are dirt, etc, rather than scratches? There was a thread a while back about a guy who thought he had scratched his sensor, but it turned out to be crap from the front of his blower.

Yes, I would also recommend an attempt at cleaning it to make sure you haven't "painted" the element with residue.

I bought a Pentax 6x7 35mm f/4 at a camera show years ago. Seller thought it was scratched, I thought it was scratched, and it was priced very low. I never thought I would be able to afford that lens at the time, so I bought it anyway. I looked at it more closely, licked the tip of my finger, rubbed, and the scratch was gone. Went to the camera cleaner guys at the show, cleaned it properly and went home delighted.

I don't think cleaning is going to fix this one though.

archer1960 wrote in post #17107629
You mentioned that you used a rocket blower, but did you try actually cleaning the front element, just in case some of the marks are dirt, etc, rather than scratches? There was a thread a while back about a guy who thought he had scratched his sensor, but it turned out to be crap from the front of his blower.

Oh yes. I used the rocket blower first to remove the small bits of gravel that were still stuck on the lens when I lifted it out of the gravel so I didn't do more damage wiping it. Any yes, I gave it a good clean.

I think what happens is someone rubs a lenscap or something else that has dirt on it across the lens and assumes that just because it left a mark, then front element is scratched even though it hardly put any pressure on the front element. They may also be people that are afraid to properly clean the front in case the 'wear out the coating'.

I saw a similar thread about someone who thought they'd scratched their lens and then cleaned it off with water, and it did cross my mind at the time - more out of hope than anything.

agedbriar wrote in post #17107092
A joke's quality is measured by the duration of the silent astonishment that precedes the explosion of laughter.

Still waiting for the latter...

Not even a chuckle unfortunately. I guess it would have been a pretty good Photoshop job.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Lightrules yet. Dunno if this qualifies as a Lightrules moment or not.

ejenner wrote in post #17108511
Not even a chuckle unfortunately. I guess it would have been a pretty good Photoshop job.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Lightrules yet. Dunno if this qualifies as a Lightrules moment or not.

Not a Lightrules moment - you did a mistake and directly spotted it instead of repating the action a second or third time wondering why you got so unexpected result.