Filling in the scratches with a sharpie?

[Tibs]

Can you imagine my joy when I got handed a Summilux 35mm, and I could just 'have' it? Well, a tremendous joy it was, though I did cringe at seeing the rear element. It looks like this:

Pretty messed up, right? Now, I've heard of a fix for scratches: Blacking them out. How effective is this method? I tried shooting the Summilux on a 4/3rds to see what it turned out, and sharpness isn't a problem from f2.8 and on, but below that it just turns soft-focus. Contrast remains low.
So, is this a viable option? The only other thing I can think of is finding a new rear element, which seems close to impossible. (Though if you have one, please do let me know.)

 

[Roger Hicks]

Try shooting with it on 35mm/full frame first. It may perform far better than you expect. Or of course it may not. But I've shot with some appallingly scratched lenses where the only obvious effect has been a reduction of contrast.

Cheers,

R.

 

[chrishayton]

Bear in mind its not a particually sharp or high contrast lens wide open anyway.
Personally Id leave it or send it to one of the top Repairers for a new rear element. (CRR Luton UK, DAG, Sherry etc.)

 

[ZeissFan]

Can you mix and match lens elements? In days gone by, lens elements were part of a matched set. However, maybe that's not an issue anymore.