What if there is a "cleave" mark in Lens?

[kl122007]

<p>Hi,<br>

I found an old Tessar with Exakta mount but the lens surafce has little cleaning marks and a small area (not larger than a niddle point) is cleaved.<br>

Is there any effect on image formation?</p>

<p>Kevin</p>

[john_robison3]

<p>I'm not sure what you mean by a cleave. Do you mean a linear gouge?</p>

<p>At any rate, if it was my lens I'd mount it on a body and shoot a roll under various conditions of lighting and at various apertures. Use a slow film so you'll have enough shutter speed range to open up even in daylight. Try some shots into strong light sources to check for flare and scattering. A lens hood appropriate for focal length may help in side lighting. Effects of a gouge in the front element of a lens can be reduced by application of a matte black paint into the damage. Actual testing should provide a real picture of the lens usefulness for your applications.</p>

[john_liberty]

<p>Having never seen a niddle I'm unsure, but in all likelihood it will do fine. I've used lenses w/ scratches (and I mean lots of deep scratches) on the front elements and other than some flare if you're shooting into the sun the pics were sharp.</p>

[sg_adams]

<p>Shoot it and see. I have an old 127mm Wollensak Velostigmat, pre-coating so guessing early 1940's lens, that I got on a beat up old wood Spped Graphic lens board that looked like someone was using it as a dart board. Seriously; it had what look very much like dart point hits. And looks like one hit the lens. Bullseye ! I bought the lens for the shutter parts (Supermatic #2) . But I got the shutter working so good I tried the lens and it is a real nice shooter and I've posted images made with it here as I keep it mounted on a Miniature Speed Graphic of a similar vintage. Absolutely no problem with mine, but I do use a lens shade with these old lenses as a rule whenever possible to avoid flaring. </p>

[dave_s]

<p>Similar war story: I have a Canon FD 35-105/3.5 which I bought from KEH for next to nothing, because it had a tiny (maybe 0.5mm) divot out of the front element. It's an excellent lens, and it works fine. </p>