Having a scratched camera lens can, at its worst, ruin your photos and result in needing to spend a lot of money on a replacement. But the good news is that one scratch doesn’t always signal the end of your equipment, and you can also take measures to stop these issues from occurring in the first place.
Today, you’ll learn how to deal with a scratched lens. And to increase your chances of not suffering the same fate again, we’ll also provide you with some tips on preventing the issue.
How to Deal With a Scratched Camera Lens
If you’ve already noticed a scratch on your camera lens, you can take a number of steps to deal with the issue.
1. Assess the Extent of the Damage
The first place you should begin is by analyzing the extent of your scratched camera lens. Most of the time, small scratches shouldn’t have a huge impact on performance. In these instances, you’re able to think of them as similar to having a minor scratch on a smartphone screen.
You should, of course, still keep an eye to ensure that the scratch doesn’t become bigger.
2. Don’t Do Anything That Could Make the Problem Worse
You might notice advice telling you to put certain fluids on your camera lens to remove the scratch. I’ve done this in the past with old PlayStation game disks—and unless you know what you’re doing, I think that you can potentially make the problem worse.
Putting liquids that shouldn’t be on a camera lens, such as toothpaste, can cause more damage. If your lens is damaged, it’s better to pay for an expert to fix it or simply purchase a replacement.
3. Do a Test Photoshoot to Determine How Serious the Damage Is
The best way to determine whether you need to fix your lens is by doing a practice photoshoot. Try taking pictures in different lighting conditions, along with using varying focal lengths (if you have a zoom lens).
If you don’t see major problems with your photos, you should be fine. Some minor issues can also be fixed in post-production. You cantry several simple things to improve your Lightroom editing techniques.
4. Determine Whether It’s Actually a Scratch
When you use your camera lens for photography outdoors, debris is bound to make contact with it. For example, if you’retaking photos in strong wind, particles of sand and whatnot could get blown into your device.
It’s worth determining whether you actually have a scratched camera lens. Sometimes, it might simply be dust or dirt; you’re able to use a microfiber cloth to remove these.
5. Find a Replacement Lens if You Have a Genuine Problem
If you’ve tested your lens and have found that there are issues, you should aim to either get your equipment repaired or replaced. Some websites and manufacturers offer a warranty period, so if your lens is new, it’s worth checking to see if you’re covered.
Otherwise, you’re able to try taking your lens to a camera store. If you decide to get a new one, here’swhat to consider when buying a lens for your camera.
How to Prevent a Scratched Camera Lens
While knowing what to do if you encounter a scratched camera lens is good, understanding how to prevent the problem is even better. Here are some tips you can try.
1. Regularly Clean Your Lens
You should aim to clean your camera lens after each use, and it’s also a good idea to carry a microfiber cloth with you on photoshoots. That way, you can quickly remove water droplets and dust. To learn more, see our guide onhow to clean and prevent fungus on your camera lens.
2. Make Sure That Your Lens Cap Is Firmly On
Your lens cap can easily fall off the camera if you haven’t taken the extra steps to ensure that it’s firmly on. This is especially true when you put your camera back in a bag.
The easiest way to prevent this problem from occurring is to listen for a clicking sound when you place the lens cap back on your camera.
3. Buy a Sturdier Camera Strap
Camera falls can contribute to lens scratches, and one common reason why cameras drop to the ground is because of their straps.
While the camera straps you receive with your device are normally reasonable, you can get something more heavy-duty if you’d like extra protection. Many photography websites have stronger straps that you can buy.
4. Keep Your Lens Cap on Whenever You’re Not Using Your Camera
When you’re out and about taking photos, you may find it easy to put your lens cap in your pocket. This could especially be the case if you’re taking multiple pictures in one location but you feel like it’s a bit too excessive to put the camera back in your bag.
During the time that you’re going from Point A to B, keeping your lens cap on is a good idea. Doing so will help to keep out dust and other particles, which will lower the chances of scratches.
5. Use a Lens Hood
In addition to weaker lens straps, it’s also possible that your camera might fall for other reasons. For example, I picked up a scratch on one of my lenses while unlocking my bike. My bag was on my back, but I hadn’t closed it properly—and out the camera fell onto a patch of mud and stones.
Despite the scratch, I actually was quite lucky. When I looked at the lens hood, a large chunk of it was also scratched. Thankfully, it served as a protective layer.
Many lenses come with a lens hood, and it’s worth wearing them if only for protective purposes. Though there are several other reasonswhy you might need a lens hood.
Keep Your Camera Lens Scratch-Free
Lens scratches are one of the most common difficulties that photographers face, but the good news is that the problem is often not as huge as you might think. Small scratches don’t always mean your device is no longer working, and it’s worth verifying whether there’s an actual problem before you seek a repair or replacement.
Knowing how to maximize your chances of preventing the problem in the future is also a good idea. Using a lens hood can minimize damage if you do drop your camera lens, and getting a sturdier strap can also stop your lens from falling.
