Scratched front element...?

Hi all, i had a question. I dont want to get into a UV/no UV filter debate, there are plenty of threads for that. What my question is, say you dont use a filter and scratch the front element? How much does it cost to fix, and where do you take it to get it fixed/replaced? I am debating to go without a filter, but want to know the costs of it as well. I use a hood, but this is something that i havent seen an answer for,

The answer to your question about cost really depends on the specific lens involved. I've read here that replacement of a front element is rather inexpensive, even for very expensive lenses, but I have never had a lens scratched and thus have no first-hand knowledge of the repair costs.

I don't even own any clear filters for "protection". I always use the recommended rigid lens hoods for my lenses whenever they are out of the camera bag.

Even my well-used Nikkor lenses (for my Nikon F cameras) that I bought in the mid 1960s (and still own) all have glass that is virtually pristine. I have never once scratched a camera lens.

My suggestion - use rigid lens hoods and take reasonable care of your equipment. Reasonable care consists of simple things like not putting your lenses where they are likely to be knocked to the floor and using sensible cleaning procedures that won't scratch the lenses.

My cleaning procedures prohibit using any wiping device (I typically use lens tissues) more than once, as bits of abrasive debris can be trapped in a cloth and then could scratch a lens during the next cleaning.

You can really take a pretty good amount of damage to your front element before it would affect picture quality. Most acratches would essentially be so far out of focus, it would in no way affect picture quality.

Here's a guy who did some testing: http://kurtmunger.com/​dirty_lens_articleid35​.html

Wow, that sure is interesting. I am thinking about taking my UV filter off now...(again, not trying to turn this into a uv/no uv filter discussion)

Like Skip, I don't use any kind of "protection" filter on the front of my lenses either.