HELP! Backscatter M52 Wide Scratched Lens

[cdrakeford]

Took a fall exiting the water, was able to gently set my camera down and luckily everything else on my setup is fine but I hadn't put the cover back over my Backscatter m52 wide lens and it got some pretty significant scratches right in the middle of the outside dome part of the lens.

Tested the lens at surface and again underwater and it definitely shows up, mostly as a blurred spot right in the middle of the image.

Is it a goner or is there a way to buff this out?

 

[David Haas]

Call Devon at Pacific Housing Repair. I believe he can possibly replace the dome.

www.pacifichousingrepair.com

service@pacifichousingrepair.com

‭(831) 751-3885‬

Buffing out some polycarbonate domes will reveal coatings that once you start means buffing the whole dome

A friend tried that with an AOI / Fantasea UWL-09f a few years ago which is how I heard of this.

Lastly, in recent years I go in the water with any polycarbonate dome / wet glass or polycarbonate dome AIR lens covered with the neoprene cover. Take it off once in the water and shoot. Then replace before getting back on at the boat or beach.

I rinse the cover in fresh water and dry in a shaded area to avoid any dried salt water scratches too.

I also ALWAY rinse lens surfaces with fresh water and dry so water spots on my housing's front port lens and rear and front polycarbonate surfaces don't dry into permanent spots

Good luck !

David Haas