Cleaning marks on lenses question

[Stephen S. Mack]

I've been looking at LTM lenses advertised in various camera stores (on-line), and a number of them are listed as having "cleaning marks" on the glass. At what point do the cleaning marks begin to make a noticeable difference in the image? I was just reading Keith's post concerning his "lens from hell", and I was VERY impressed with the twelve images he made with it.😱

Having seen this, would I be taking a huge chance with a LTM lens that does have some cleaning marks on it? I have three Russian FSU cameras that I got from Yuri at Fedka, and I recall that each of the lenses was advertised as having cleaning marks on them. But I must be blind, or don't know what I'm looking for because I can't see any such marks... It's been my experience that my Industar 60 is a bit soft, but I think that's the characteristic of the lens, not cleaning marks.

Thanks to all who reply.

With best regards.

Stephen

 

[degruyl]

Is it the rear or the front? (the front is far less critical).

Other than that, I have no information. To me "cleaning marks" is a euphemism for "scratched" and means stay away. Unless I can look through the lens, of course. With a flashlight.

I doubt that your lens softness is from invisible cleaning marks. I think that those FSU lenses advertised as such in a cover your ass sort of way. It is one thing when you trust the vendor, and quite another from some unknown person on an auction site.

Similar to Recent CLA, and smooth as butter/silk, cleaning marks has very little meaning these days.