Is This An Issue? Can I Fix It?

[Brian Puccio]

I bought a lens online, which means I didn't get to see it in person first (I know, I know ...). It arrived today and it looks like it either has an internal scratch OR maybe some oil or glue inside of the rear element. I took some photos and posted them here:

http://imgur.com/a/nDcWx

Is this an issue that would affect the images? (I intent to finish off a roll this weekend to double check.)

Is this an issue that would affect resale value? (What if I decide I don't like it, I don't want to be stuck with it.)

Is this something I can resolve myself (I'm fairly handy) or something I can send out to be cleaned up for $100 or so to a tech?

Or should I just ask for a return? (I was told that there were no scratches on the lens, so I think I've got a case for a return, I'm just not sure if this is something I can just resolve myself.)

Thanks!

 

[papaki]

It seems to be on the rear element and anything down there affects the image quality.
I cannot see it clearly. Is it a cracked/chipped off element or foreign material between elements?

 

[markus_h_photography]

Whatever it is, it'll probably be noticeable only wide open.

If it was a cheap 50 buck lens then it wouldn't bother me personally but seeing it's Leica, you probably paid a heap for it so if you have the option of a return then I'd return it.

 

[Brian Puccio]

It seems to be on the rear element and anything down there affects the image quality.
I cannot see it clearly. Is it a cracked/chipped off element or foreign material between elements?

I can't tell which it is because it doesn't seem to be on the outer part of the rear element.

 

[Brian Puccio]

Whatever it is, it'll probably be noticeable only wide open.

If it was a cheap 50 buck lens then it wouldn't bother me personally but seeing it's Leica, you probably paid a heap for it so if you have the option of a return then I'd return it.

Hah, it's a 50mm f/1.4, shooting it wide open is part of the reason I got it. And sadly I paid much more than $50 for this. 🙁

I'll reach out to the seller.

Thanks!

 

[ray*j*gun]

Return it ... not a do it yourself job at all. that's an expensive lens and not to be fooled with.

 

[daveleo]

Yeh, if it was $50, so what. But it was a lot more than that.
If the description did not clearly highlight this flaw, I would send it back (soon).

 

[sevo]

Well, is it a bubble or a chip? If the former, it must have passed every Leica quality control (bubbles only occur in the casting), and it will not degrade the lens beyond Leicas standards. If the lens was priced at the high end for the type, I'd ask for a refund, as that is no collectors grade, but at regular prices for a user lens, I'd keep it.

If it is a chip, get a refund - chips or cracks at the edge are an indication of either strain in the assembly or of the lens having been roughly handled or dropped in the past. It may have affected the performance, and it could cause the entire element to crack any time in the future.