Does Dust on Lens Front REALLY matter?

If I can go up to a chain link fence, and take a shot of an elephant 10 feet away without getting the fence in the pic, why does dust on the FRONT of the lens matter? Won't you just be able to shoot through it? I get why it matters hugely on the rear element but...am I missing something here? I know there are techhie people here who know the answer.

It matters little.
http://www.lensrentals​.com …0/front-element-scratches

suecassidy wrote in post #10488460
If I can go up to a chain link fence, and take a shot of an elephant 10 feet away without getting the fence in the pic, why does dust on the FRONT of the lens matter? Won't you just be able to shoot through it? I get why it matters hugely on the rear element but...am I missing something here? I know there are techhie people here who know the answer.

Dust on the lens - either on the front or back elements - can be either virtually invisible or, when there are strong light sources either in the scene or somewhat off-axis from the scene, the dust can be illuminated by the strong light and cause some degradation of the image.

suecassidy wrote in post #10488460
If I can go up to a chain link fence, and take a shot of an elephant 10 feet away without getting the fence in the pic, why does dust on the FRONT of the lens matter? Won't you just be able to shoot through it? I get why it matters hugely on the rear element but...am I missing something here? I know there are techhie people here who know the answer.

It's an OCD thing Unless you have a massive film of dust, it's going to matter fairly little on the front; just get a blower and soft lens brush to clear it off.

Timely post ... I have 1 hair on the inside (not on the outside) of my Lens - directly in the middle of the lens. I was wondering if I should care.... or for that matter, what the heck couold I possibly do about it.

I took this shot

I honestly can't remember the last time I've cleaned any of my front elements

gjl711 wrote in post #10488471
It matters little.
http://www.lensrentals​.com …0/front-element-scratches

or this

http://kurtmunger.com/​dirty_lens_articleid35​.html

Nuff said

Phil, great link that certainly answers the question posed.

I cut my teeth in astrophotography and it became clear early on that small particles on the front or rear elements of a telescope or lens was much too far from the focal plane to be visible in images taken. Even on large aperture reflector telescopes it would take a considerable amount of build up on the primary and secondary mirrors to even begin to dim their reflective performance. Pollen season is the worse case here, the particles leave behind a sticky sap that I choose to remove before it sits too long but that's the only exception I make. The rule of thumb to preserve those precious optical coatings is only clean(wipe/fluid) when absolutely necessary which is FAR less than one thinks. Puff is enough, and when it's time to clean research the proper method.

suecassidy wrote in post #10488460
If I can go up to a chain link fence, and take a shot of an elephant 10 feet away without getting the fence in the pic, why does dust on the FRONT of the lens matter? Won't you just be able to shoot through it? I get why it matters hugely on the rear element but...am I missing something here? I know there are techhie people here who know the answer.

It doesn't matter. Who said it matters?

most world travelled and published photographer I have ever known also handed me the dirtiest 24-70 I have ever seen. Also claimed to have never cleaned a sensor, probably drove editors crazy, but got paid to do it so who cares.

If you always shoot wide open then dust on your sensor & lens won't make a difference. Try shooting at f/14 or smaller or with the sun the frame and EVERYTHING shows up!