Nikon AF-S 18-200mm scratched lens: I'm a newbie to DSLR cameras and recently bought a used lens off Craigslist. Discovered a scratch on the rear glass and tried to buff it out using...

jellis56

I'm a newbie to DSLR cameras and recently bought a used lens off Craigslist. Discovered a scratch on the rear glass and tried to buff it out using CD-Rom cleaning solution and eye glass microfiber clothe. I even rubbed it some with a pencil eraser which I think I did more harm than good. There a little haze spot there now which wasn't before.

I've looked around the internet trying to find a replacement rear glass piece for this lens and wondering if there is such a site where I could buy it? I know I'm going to get several people saying don't take it apart, you'll ruin the lens, blah blah blah.

Would like some info on where to order parts.

Thanks

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

Best bet would be to go on ebay and buy a non-working one and use parts from it.
They can be had fairly cheaply. I think you will have a hard time finding just the rear lens.

will

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

I would be interested to know is anyone has tackled this sort of issue as a DIY project? I would suspect that Nikon controls parts and would do a repair if practical and feasible; but would not sell to an individual hobbyist. I also wonder if this sort of repair/replacement is possible outside of a very controlled environment.
I am guessing, so anyone with reliable information will be appreciated.

smussler Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY

lesdmd wrote:

I would be interested to know is anyone has tackled this sort of issue as a DIY project? I would suspect that Nikon controls parts and would do a repair if practical and feasible; but would not sell to an individual hobbyist. I also wonder if this sort of repair/replacement is possible outside of a very controlled environment.
I am guessing, so anyone with reliable information will be appreciated.

Do a search "youtube lens repair" - lots of hits

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

jellis56 wrote:

I'm a newbie to DSLR cameras and recently bought a... (show quote)

A small scratch on the rear element would likely cause little if any problems, a few test shots would have established if it needed repair. I have a lens with a chip, a small chip, that provides great photos without noticeable distortion or spotting.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

jellis56 wrote:

I'm a newbie to DSLR cameras and recently bought a... (show quote)

Buy some optical grade cerium oxide. It is a white powder used to polish gemstones that are 7 or less in the mohs scale. Glass is 6 or 6.5. Make a slurry with water almost a paste. Use a dremel with a buffing wheel attachment. That will buff out the scratch but also remove any coatings. Also ensure you don't get it into the lens. Hold it buff side down and use tape to protect contacts ect. Be slow and careful. I cut gemstones and occasionally polish glass for friends. You can pm me if you like. Cerium is easy to find but don't get any color except white. The other grades are to course.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

jellis56 wrote:

I'm a newbie to DSLR cameras and recently bought a... (show quote)

You can't order parts. And even the current Nikon Authorized Repair network members will no longer be able to order parts as of 3/31/20.

https://www.slrlounge.com/nikon-to-end-its-authorized-repair-program/

Given your history with just this case, I would strongly advise you send it to a Nikon Authorized Repair provider. An eraser on a lens element?

jellis56

I found the optical grade cerium oxide on Amazon... When you say it will remove a coating from the glass, will this mean it will further degrade the quality of my pictures?

If I buff the spot where the scratch and haze is, will I have to do the whole piece of glass to remove all of the layer of coating, so it's the same over the entire surface?

Thanks

zenagain Loc: Pueblo CO

I also do alot of gem cutting and lapidary work, i work with cerium oxide almost daily.
Optical lens glass has seriously small tolerances, useing cerium oxide to buff out the scratch will distort the lens beyond those tolerances and render it useless.
Another response you got was to buy a non working lens off ebay, use the part off it you need to fix lens. Thats, in my opinion, is the only way to fix next to sending it to nikon.
But cerium oxide is a waste of time, money and effort. imo.
Good luck.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

jellis56 wrote:

I'm a newbie to DSLR cameras and recently bought a... (show quote)

Considering on how you took care of the scratch on the rear element of your lens, I believe you have the knowledge and skill to do anything you THINK you can.
You are a legend in your own mind. Good luck, and blah blah blah.
PS. Nikon's number is 1-800-645-6687.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

My simple advise is to take some shots at different apertures and check to see if the files are alright. If they are do nothing.
Otherwise I would suggest having the lens repaired.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

jellis56 wrote:

I'm a newbie to DSLR cameras and recently bought a... (show quote)

I have seen one lens that had a scratch on the front glass element, and the Images taken with that lens were OK. I was even surprised by seeing the owner of the lens show me the images. Perhaps a rear element glass scratch, would have been the same as the front scratch? I believe you saw the rear scratch, and figured you could make it go away. Your only solution now, is to see if you can find an inoperable lens on eBay, and take it to a local camera repair shop. And then have the shop, put the spare part on your lens. Since, you bought it on Craigslist, you probably got it at a reduced price. Meaning, that sending it in the Nikon Repair Shop, will probably cost you more than what you paid for the lens. I've made things worse, by trying to make it better. I once used isoproproyl alcohol to clean a surface. And made it worse. All surfaces are not equal for cleaning with 70% isoproproyl alcohol. Lesson learned by me. mpb has a faulty lens for $59. And a used one for $89. Good luck.

olsonsview

Camerapapi is spot on, stop trying to fix it, and test it first. Even after your erasure fix, test it before doing anything else.
I have fixed front elements of a lens with a deep small scratch (3/16" long)by just using a tiny bristle brush with some flat black paint and applying the least paint I could to cover the scratch. The only purpose to that is if the sun is in the picture or, near the edge, the scratch can cause a flare. And the fixed lens tested equal to a pristine version of the same lens after that minor fix: a 24-120 f4 by the way. I protect that element with a filter now, because repeated cleaning will remove the paint and force me to paint it again. Most rear element scratches cause no problems depending on the lens design I suppose? But flat black to the rescue might be the best answer. The paint eliminates some light from hitting the camera sensor, but quite minimally.

jellis56

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jellis56

billnikon wrote:

Considering on how you took care of the scratch on the rear element of your lens, I believe you have the knowledge and skill to do anything you THINK you can.
You are a legend in your own mind. Good luck, and blah blah blah.
PS. Nikon's number is 1-800-645-6687.

your comment was useless... just like the bad advice I listened to when Googling how to fix a camera lens scratch...