Rifle Scopes Will these blemishes affect performance/value?

[komishe]

I've never noticed these until today.
I bought it brand new from Midway about a year ago and used it for four or five trips to BLM land. 300 rounds or so from 100 to 750y. Never noticed 'em . Switched to Mil. system and rifles better suited for long range, so its just been sitting on the rifle in a pelican case with a big dessicant pack.

I was cleaning it off for the first time for a possible trade today and noticed these.
It's really hard to get good pictures of them. The nearest I can describe them is they look like little air bubbles trapped between the lens coating.

Eyepiece:
at about 10'oclock one bigger and two smaller


lens:
This is a 56mm and the glare makes them appear larger than they are but it's my best photo I could get on this page.
These are pretty close to the center of the lens.


Like I said, they've never bothered me, but I'd like to be completely honest with the possible recipient. If I end up keeping it I'm not going to worry about them.

Thanks.

Edited: I have a NightForce Mil/MOA that I was thinking of sending in for a MOAR reticle. Sorry for any confusion.

Komishe

 

[scudzuki]

Since the scope is not used much, why not send it in to have it fixed?
For what you spend on a NightForce, those kind of flaws are unacceptable IMO.

Joe

 

[komishe]

Because I don't notice it when it does get used and I'd prefer to do away with it altogether so all my scopes are Mil.
Sending in and waiting then selling may be the best option as far as getting the most return on my "investment"

That is really lame that they would send it out the door like that. I don't see how it would've happened while I had it. Then again, I don't know much.

 

[Temp9]

When I've had "flaws" like that, they came off with lens cleaning solution (breath fog) and a microfiber cloth. Just a heads up. Those look more like small water marks to me.

 

[komishe]

Ouch! Thanks for the heads up. It never hurts to check the simple stuff first.

Upon closer inspection it appears the lens coating is missing and the reflection from the other side is causing the "bubble" effect. They're too perfect for me to believe it wasn't from the factory.

Since it obviously affects the value, I'll be looking into sending it back.

 

[hk dave]

Imperfections or blemishes to the front lens element rarely have any effect on image quality. Scratches might cause increase flare with direct light, but generally have no effect on image quality.

Imperfections or blemishes to the rear lens element on the other hand, can be quite apparent. Although whether they can be apparent to a non practiced human eye is questionable.

I've actually run resolution tests on camera lenses where we took filters and scratched the crap out of them... then slapped them on the front and shot photos with a 50 megapixel 16 bit camera. We could not find a difference.

Thing is... 99.9% of people don't know nor believe what I just wrote and will expect quite the discount for a lens with blemishes on it.

 

[Hunter22]

i agree with hk dave, it is primarily a light gathering lens, and most likely is not noticeable at all.

 

[komishe]

Imperfections or blemishes to the front lens element rarely have any effect on image quality. Scratches might cause increase flare with direct light, but generally have no effect on image quality.

Imperfections or blemishes to the rear lens element on the other hand, can be quite apparent. Although whether they can be apparent to a non practiced human eye is questionable.

I've actually run resolution tests on camera lenses where we took filters and scratched the crap out of them... then slapped them on the front and shot photos with a 50 megapixel 16 bit camera. We could not find a difference.

Thing is... 99.9% of people don't know nor believe what I just wrote and will expect quite the discount for a lens with blemishes on it.

My non practiced human eye believes what you tell me. It's nice to hear from somebody that has experimented with this stuff.

Now to find a .1%'er.......................

Thanks a bundle