Lens cleaning marks: a thing of the past?

[visiondr]

Today's Leica lenses are reputed to have pretty tough coatings compared with the older Leitz lenses of the past. I've read much comment in ads, for example, where the seller discloses the presence of cleaning marks on the lens front and/or rear elements of older lenses. I've never seen cleaning marks on any lens I own. But my lenses past and present have all been within 20 years old. My question is, are these remnants of overzealous cleaning a thing of the past? To put a finer point on it; what kind of danger am I in if I clean my lenses? I tend to use a UV filter only when shooting in adverse environments. I take care to brush and blow lenses clean of debris prior to a clean with a microfibre cloth or Kodak lens tissues. I can't see any damage with careful scrutiny in full sunlight. But is damage happening at a lower level I should be concerned with? Or, am I just obsessing (something I know we Leicaphiles are never accused of)? Your thoughts, suggestions, humor are all welcome.

Ron

 

[John]

If you shine a bright flashlight through the back element of a lens you will often see marks and dust that don't show up any other way. I also clean with tissue and microfibre but I dip them in isopropyl alcohol. 🙂

 

[kully]

I'm sure "cleaning marks" are a nicer name for plain old "scratches".

I'm sitting here looking at a 1961 Yashica M42 50/2 which has not been cleaned as politely as you clean your lenses - I can't see anything with my bare eyes.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I see people handle lenses, without UV filters ("why use those damn things?") in ways that I wouldn't handle the neighbor's hated yapper (aka dog). Some don't even wash their hands after going to the restroom, but that's another story...

No matter how hard coatings are now, some still manage to test their resilience without trying (precisely because they're not trying). No, not a thing of "the past". Imvho.

 

[JimG]

I think one of the main causes of cleaning marks is from people wiping a lens without first removing any dust with a soft brush.

 

[harmsr]

I think JimG hit it on the head.

You don't know how many people I see wiping an accidental fingerprint off with their shirt on lens front that is dusty.😱

Ray

 

[Ben Z]

I just scored an otherwise mintish v.4 28 Elmarit for about half price because there's a small (about 1/8") scratch in the coating about midway from the center to the edge. It has no discernable effect on the pictures, but it does prove 2 things: that even the latest coatings are not scratch-proof, and that at least where Leica lenses are concerned, a small scracth=a huge drop in price.

 

[JimG]

I just scored an otherwise mintish v.4 28 Elmarit for about half price because there's a small (about 1/8") scratch in the coating about midway from the center to the edge. It has no discernable effect on the pictures, but it does prove 2 things: that even the latest coatings are not scratch-proof, and that at least where Leica lenses are concerned, a small scracth=a huge drop in price.

Good find Ben. I regret many of the great lens deals I have passed on due to faint cleaning mark or a small scratch.

 

[pvdhaar]

I guess it all boils down to this..

The folks that are somewhat knowledgable about photography know better than to rub a lens with a steel brush, and those that have no clue get a 'protective UV filter' unloaded onto them by a sales drone.. 😀

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[oftheherd]

I guess it all boils down to this..

The folks that are somewhat knowledgable about photography know better than to rub a lens with a steel brush, and those that have no clue get a 'protective UV filter' unloaded onto them by a sales drone.. 😀

Do I sense a religious war brewing about filter use vs no use? 😀

I think minor scratches (not necessarily ebay minor) probably would only be a problem with flare. I would not say they wouldn't cause an effect, simply that it would be hard to detect.

I personally try to be very careful, blower brush and Kodak cleaning tissue (hope they don't get out of that business too). And, UV filters on all I can afford to put them on. But that is my choice for my reasons, and binds no one else to do the same.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Ben Z]

Yessir, I got that Elmarit for half off because the first owner was much to smart to use a UV filter for protection 😀

 

[ampguy]

lol

lol

yup!! The only time I can recall someone selling a lens with "scratches," was also prompty accompanied by "though not large enough to affect your photos" or somesuch...

for those who use filters on everything, what about a filter for your main filter? A good B&W MRC is pretty pricey, I wouldn't want to ding up one of those filters!!

I'm sure "cleaning marks" are a nicer name for plain old "scratches".

I'm sitting here looking at a 1961 Yashica M42 50/2 which has not been cleaned as politely as you clean your lenses - I can't see anything with my bare eyes.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request