I've got a Panasonic HDC-SD60 video camera and have somehow managed to
scratch the protective clear lens cover which sits behind the protective
shutter and in front of the lens.

Initial investigations via Panasonic have failed to locate a spare part.

There is a nominated repair service but they want you to send the camera
to them for 'thorough investigation' before they will give you a price.

I am struggling with the temptation to undo loads of little screws and
take it apart, but if powered up the lens cover is accessible from the
front as the protective shutter folds back.

As a quick question, does anyone know of a 'scratch filler' for glass or
plastic which might reduce the effect of the scratch?

The scratch is not easily visible on video unless there is sunlight coming
towards the lens.

However it is a bit limiting having to always shoot with the light behind
you :-(

Cheers

Dave R

In article ,
David.WE.Roberts wrote:

As a quick question, does anyone know of a 'scratch filler' for glass or
plastic which might reduce the effect of the scratch?

The scratch is not easily visible on video unless there is sunlight coming
towards the lens.

However it is a bit limiting having to always shoot with the light behind
you :-(


No idea on a filler, and polishing it is likely to make things worse (and
completely remove any coating that is on there).

Would an external filter help? Does the camera have external filter thread
that could be used to attach something like

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hoya-37mm-Di.../dp/B004D7K5LA

Might be easier if it works. Just an idea...

Darren

David.WE.Roberts wrote:
I've got a Panasonic HDC-SD60 video camera and have somehow managed to
scratch the protective clear lens cover which sits behind the protective
shutter and in front of the lens.

Initial investigations via Panasonic have failed to locate a spare part.

There is a nominated repair service but they want you to send the camera
to them for 'thorough investigation' before they will give you a price.

I am struggling with the temptation to undo loads of little screws and
take it apart, but if powered up the lens cover is accessible from the
front as the protective shutter folds back.

As a quick question, does anyone know of a 'scratch filler' for glass or
plastic which might reduce the effect of the scratch?

The scratch is not easily visible on video unless there is sunlight coming
towards the lens.

However it is a bit limiting having to always shoot with the light behind
you :-(

Unfortunately, even if you could polish out the scratch, and there are
glass polishes that will do the job, you will remove the anti-reflective
coating, which will give even worse glare in backlit situations.

The last post here may be discouraging or helpful, depending on your
budget:-

http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/foru...tml?1299827157

"I have tried lens polishing using a professional, both in cases where
there was fungus etching a glass and/or scratches in the lens. I took
the lenses to a professional and the results were very good. He said it
was not a problem removing the scratches etc. so that the dimensions of
the lenses (old tessars) was still within the original tolerances. I
also recemented one doublet that had both scratches and separation and
it worked out fine too."

As an aside, I won't normally consider buying a decent camera of any
sort that won't let me put a UV filter on the lens, and it stays there
permanently. The only other filters I need nowadays are a polariser, and
maybe the occasional grey grad., as what they do can't be done in post
production.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

On 16 Feb 2013 16:38:26 GMT, "David.WE.Roberts"
wrote:

I've got a Panasonic HDC-SD60 video camera and have somehow managed to
scratch the protective clear lens cover which sits behind the protective
shutter and in front of the lens.

Initial investigations via Panasonic have failed to locate a spare part.

There is a nominated repair service but they want you to send the camera
to them for 'thorough investigation' before they will give you a price.

I am struggling with the temptation to undo loads of little screws and
take it apart, but if powered up the lens cover is accessible from the
front as the protective shutter folds back.

As a quick question, does anyone know of a 'scratch filler' for glass or
plastic which might reduce the effect of the scratch?

The scratch is not easily visible on video unless there is sunlight coming
towards the lens.

However it is a bit limiting having to always shoot with the light behind
you :-(

Cheers

Dave R

A lens hood will allow you to shoot closer to the sun.
A cupped hand might have to do if the camera isn't equipped with a
filter mount.

On 16 Feb 2013 16:38:26 GMT, "David.WE.Roberts"
wrote:

I've got a Panasonic HDC-SD60 video camera and have somehow managed to
scratch the protective clear lens cover which sits behind the protective
shutter and in front of the lens.

Initial investigations via Panasonic have failed to locate a spare part.

There is a nominated repair service but they want you to send the camera
to them for 'thorough investigation' before they will give you a price.

I am struggling with the temptation to undo loads of little screws and
take it apart, but if powered up the lens cover is accessible from the
front as the protective shutter folds back.

As a quick question, does anyone know of a 'scratch filler' for glass or
plastic which might reduce the effect of the scratch?

The scratch is not easily visible on video unless there is sunlight coming
towards the lens.


I seem to recall a dab of black, non-reflecting, paint works. As you
have noted it is only the reflection of light that causes a problem,
and not the mark per se.

You should be easily able to remove the paint if that doesn't work.


--
AnthonyL

On Sat, 16 Feb 2013 16:38:26 +0000, David.WE.Roberts wrote:

I've got a Panasonic HDC-SD60 video camera and have somehow managed to
scratch the protective clear lens cover which sits behind the protective
shutter and in front of the lens.
snip

As a quick question, does anyone know of a 'scratch filler' for glass or
plastic which might reduce the effect of the scratch?
snip


To make things hopefully clearer, given that advice so far seems to be
aimed at the actual lens surface of an SLR camera :-)

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_G...rview/3297260/
index.html
Has pictures of the camera.

The optics seem to be in three stages:

(1) A mechanical metal or plastic shutter which closes over the front of
the lens area when the camera is powered down. This is to protect the
optics when the camera is powered down.

Please note from the linked picture that the lens area is not circular as
there is a small light inserted at the top.

(2) A clear glass or plastic screen which serves much the same purpose as
fitting a skylight filter on the front of an SLR lens - the filter takes
any mechanical damage and protects the lens.

The screen is roughly square, and is much larger than, and well in front
of, the lens.

It is this screen which is scratched.

(3) the lens sits behind the protective parts described in (1) and (2)

####

So I need some material which will fill in a scratch in flat glass and be
more or less optically neutral.

Black paint is suggested, but I am struggling to work out how you would
get light through that unless it is a very shallow film, and so more like
a sunglass tint.

The article was talking about etching by a fungus, which is probably much
more shallow.

As this is presumably a sacrificial item (much like the neutral filter
used to protect an SLR lens) I was hoping that replacing it would be
straightforward and not too expensive.

Perhaps having it re-bloomed would be enough?

Cheers

Dave R

David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Black paint is suggested, but I am struggling to work out how you would
get light through that unless it is a very shallow film, and so more like
a sunglass tint.

The way you'd use black paint is use it to fill in the scratch only.
This would stop any reflections inside the scratch, so making it less
obvious with a backlit scene, but may show up as a black line on all
pictures, depending on how much depth of field the lens/ sensor system
has and how wide the scratch is. The brighter it is and the wider the
scratch, the more likely it is to show up looking almost like a hair in
the gate of an old movie camera. A very narrow black line will not have
any noticeable effect on the amount of light gathered by the lens, and
may not be noticeable if it is out of focus enough, such as when you are
shooting indoors with the lens wide open.

You apply it by painting the thinnest stripe you can along the scratch
with about 75% thinners and 25% paint, and then removing all the excess
with neat thinners on a soft cloth before it has chance to dry hard.
This will give a black line the exact size and shape of the scratch.
It's a similar process to the one I've used in the past (Admittedly with
silver paint) to apply very thin window frames to model vehicle windows.

The article was talking about etching by a fungus, which is probably much
more shallow.

As this is presumably a sacrificial item (much like the neutral filter
used to protect an SLR lens) I was hoping that replacing it would be
straightforward and not too expensive.

Have you spoken to the repair agents or Panasonic? If you can find a
non-Panasonic repair shop, then they may not be tied to just fitting
whatever the smallest part combination supplied by Panasonic is, which,
knowing Panasonic, is probably the complete lens assembly, possibly
attached to the sensor.

Perhaps having it re-bloomed would be enough?

If the glass is scratched (assuming it *is* glass), then no. If the
scratch is only affecting the coating, then yes.


--
Tciao for Now!

John.

On Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:43:30 +0000, John Williamson wrote:

David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Black paint is suggested, but I am struggling to work out how you would
get light through that unless it is a very shallow film, and so more
like a sunglass tint.

The way you'd use black paint is use it to fill in the scratch only.
This would stop any reflections inside the scratch, so making it less
obvious with a backlit scene, but may show up as a black line on all
pictures, depending on how much depth of field the lens/ sensor system
has and how wide the scratch is. The brighter it is and the wider the
scratch, the more likely it is to show up looking almost like a hair in
the gate of an old movie camera. A very narrow black line will not have
any noticeable effect on the amount of light gathered by the lens, and
may not be noticeable if it is out of focus enough, such as when you are
shooting indoors with the lens wide open.

You apply it by painting the thinnest stripe you can along the scratch
with about 75% thinners and 25% paint, and then removing all the excess
with neat thinners on a soft cloth before it has chance to dry hard.
This will give a black line the exact size and shape of the scratch.
It's a similar process to the one I've used in the past (Admittedly with
silver paint) to apply very thin window frames to model vehicle windows.

The article was talking about etching by a fungus, which is probably
much more shallow.

As this is presumably a sacrificial item (much like the neutral filter
used to protect an SLR lens) I was hoping that replacing it would be
straightforward and not too expensive.

Have you spoken to the repair agents or Panasonic? If you can find a
non-Panasonic repair shop, then they may not be tied to just fitting
whatever the smallest part combination supplied by Panasonic is, which,
knowing Panasonic, is probably the complete lens assembly, possibly
attached to the sensor.

Perhaps having it re-bloomed would be enough?

If the glass is scratched (assuming it *is* glass), then no. If the
scratch is only affecting the coating, then yes.

Thanks for the comprehensive reply.

Sadly the scratch is dead centre of the viewing are so a black line would
probable be always visible.

However this does raise the question of clear paint.

Otherwise known as varnish.

I wonder if a very small application of thinned clear varnish would fill
in the quite deep scratch (you can feel it with a finger nail)to take away
the roughness which causes most of the visible reflections.

I guess I was looking for a 'lens scratch removing fluid' which is
optically neutral but will fill in scratches.

I have contacted a parts supplier (the part doesn't seem to be listed) so
we shall see what is available, if anything.

I was reluctant to use the Panasonic agent because I would have to send
them the camera before getting any idea as to the cost of any repair.

Cheers

Dave R

On Sunday, February 17, 2013 6:05:25 PM UTC, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
On Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:43:30 +0000, John Williamson wrote:



David.WE.Roberts wrote:

Black paint is suggested, but I am struggling to work out how you would

get light through that unless it is a very shallow film, and so more

like a sunglass tint.



The way you'd use black paint is use it to fill in the scratch only.

This would stop any reflections inside the scratch, so making it less

obvious with a backlit scene, but may show up as a black line on all

pictures, depending on how much depth of field the lens/ sensor system

has and how wide the scratch is. The brighter it is and the wider the

scratch, the more likely it is to show up looking almost like a hair in

the gate of an old movie camera. A very narrow black line will not have

any noticeable effect on the amount of light gathered by the lens, and

may not be noticeable if it is out of focus enough, such as when you are

shooting indoors with the lens wide open.



You apply it by painting the thinnest stripe you can along the scratch

with about 75% thinners and 25% paint, and then removing all the excess

with neat thinners on a soft cloth before it has chance to dry hard.

This will give a black line the exact size and shape of the scratch.

It's a similar process to the one I've used in the past (Admittedly with

silver paint) to apply very thin window frames to model vehicle windows..



The article was talking about etching by a fungus, which is probably

much more shallow.



As this is presumably a sacrificial item (much like the neutral filter

used to protect an SLR lens) I was hoping that replacing it would be

straightforward and not too expensive.



Have you spoken to the repair agents or Panasonic? If you can find a

non-Panasonic repair shop, then they may not be tied to just fitting

whatever the smallest part combination supplied by Panasonic is, which,

knowing Panasonic, is probably the complete lens assembly, possibly

attached to the sensor.



Perhaps having it re-bloomed would be enough?



If the glass is scratched (assuming it *is* glass), then no. If the

scratch is only affecting the coating, then yes.



Thanks for the comprehensive reply.



Sadly the scratch is dead centre of the viewing are so a black line would

probable be always visible.



However this does raise the question of clear paint.



Otherwise known as varnish.



I wonder if a very small application of thinned clear varnish would fill

in the quite deep scratch (you can feel it with a finger nail)to take away

the roughness which causes most of the visible reflections.



I guess I was looking for a 'lens scratch removing fluid' which is

optically neutral but will fill in scratches.



I have contacted a parts supplier (the part doesn't seem to be listed) so

we shall see what is available, if anything.



I was reluctant to use the Panasonic agent because I would have to send

them the camera before getting any idea as to the cost of any repair.



Cheers



Dave R

I have heard of clear nail polish being used.

I would attempt a temporary repair with a very fine felt tip pen. )I suspect that being on the front of the lens it would have a miniscule effect on quality. If the felt tip pen works then have at it with matt black paint and a hair from your head, really.

On Mon, 18 Feb 2013 07:41:08 -0800 (PST), fred
wrote:


I would attempt a temporary repair with a very fine felt tip pen. )I suspect that being on the front of the lens it would have a miniscule effect on quality. If the felt tip pen works then have at it with matt black paint and a hair from your head, really.

It's a common enough dodge on manky old SLR lenses - works
surprisingly well, too.

On Monday, February 18, 2013 4:29:57 PM UTC, Grimly Curmudgeon wrote:
On Mon, 18 Feb 2013 07:41:08 -0800 (PST), fred

wrote:





I would attempt a temporary repair with a very fine felt tip pen. )I suspect that being on the front of the lens it would have a miniscule effect on quality. If the felt tip pen works then have at it with matt black paint and a hair from your head, really.



It's a common enough dodge on manky old SLR lenses - works

surprisingly well, too.

I have exactly the same problem and same model of video camera. I would be glad to hear whether you managed to solve your problem using any of the methods suggested.

On Saturday, February 16, 2013 4:38:26 PM UTC, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
I've got a Panasonic HDC-SD60 video camera and have somehow managed to

scratch the protective clear lens cover which sits behind the protective

shutter and in front of the lens.



Initial investigations via Panasonic have failed to locate a spare part.



There is a nominated repair service but they want you to send the camera

to them for 'thorough investigation' before they will give you a price.



I am struggling with the temptation to undo loads of little screws and

take it apart, but if powered up the lens cover is accessible from the

front as the protective shutter folds back.



As a quick question, does anyone know of a 'scratch filler' for glass or

plastic which might reduce the effect of the scratch?



The scratch is not easily visible on video unless there is sunlight coming

towards the lens.



However it is a bit limiting having to always shoot with the light behind

you :-(



Cheers



Dave R

On Fri, 8 Nov 2013 09:20:03 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

I have exactly the same problem and same model of video camera. I would be glad to hear whether you managed to solve your problem using any of the methods suggested.

Alas; we never hear of success - suddenly, the ungrateful *******s are
assailed by an inability to use a keyboard.
Anyway, try my method of filling in the scratch with a black felt tip
pen.
I can assure you, it works.

On Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 5:38:26 AM UTC+13, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
I've got a Panasonic HDC-SD60 video camera and have somehow managed to
scratch the protective clear lens cover which sits behind the protective
shutter and in front of the lens.

Initial investigations via Panasonic have failed to locate a spare part.

There is a nominated repair service but they want you to send the camera
to them for 'thorough investigation' before they will give you a price.

I am struggling with the temptation to undo loads of little screws and
take it apart, but if powered up the lens cover is accessible from the
front as the protective shutter folds back.

As a quick question, does anyone know of a 'scratch filler' for glass or
plastic which might reduce the effect of the scratch?

The scratch is not easily visible on video unless there is sunlight coming
towards the lens.

However it is a bit limiting having to always shoot with the light behind
you :-(

Cheers

Dave

I have the same issue with my one - I am starting to wonder if grit gets caught under the lens cover and thats what scratches it - and also right in the middle of the lens. I never had any luck getting it repair either so have to buy a new camera. FYI tried the black pen and it just left me with black marks - now worse than the scratches and unuseable

On Sat, 25 Apr 2015 20:42:00 -0700, jakki.preston wrote:

On Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 5:38:26 AM UTC+13, David.WE.Roberts
wrote:
I've got a Panasonic HDC-SD60 video camera and have somehow managed to
scratch the protective clear lens cover which sits behind the
protective shutter and in front of the lens.

Initial investigations via Panasonic have failed to locate a spare
part.

There is a nominated repair service but they want you to send the
camera to them for 'thorough investigation' before they will give you a
price.

I am struggling with the temptation to undo loads of little screws and
take it apart, but if powered up the lens cover is accessible from the
front as the protective shutter folds back.

As a quick question, does anyone know of a 'scratch filler' for glass
or plastic which might reduce the effect of the scratch?

The scratch is not easily visible on video unless there is sunlight
coming towards the lens.

However it is a bit limiting having to always shoot with the light
behind you :-(

Cheers

Dave

I have the same issue with my one - I am starting to wonder if grit gets
caught under the lens cover and thats what scratches it - and also right
in the middle of the lens. I never had any luck getting it repair either
so have to buy a new camera. FYI tried the black pen and it just left me
with black marks - now worse than the scratches and unuseable

Thanks - still waiting to try the super glue trick.

Professional repair seems costly compared to a newer higher specification
camera.

However I don't need a video camera enough to buy another one at the
moment.

Haven't looked on eBay for a used one, though.

Cheers

Dave R

--
Windows 8.1 on PCSpecialist box

On Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 4:47:28 PM UTC+8, David wrote:
On Sat, 25 Apr 2015 20:42:00 -0700, jakki.preston wrote:

On Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 5:38:26 AM UTC+13, David.WE.Roberts
wrote:
I've got a Panasonic HDC-SD60 video camera and have somehow managed to
scratch the protective clear lens cover which sits behind the
protective shutter and in front of the lens.

Initial investigations via Panasonic have failed to locate a spare
part.

There is a nominated repair service but they want you to send the
camera to them for 'thorough investigation' before they will give you a
price.

I am struggling with the temptation to undo loads of little screws and
take it apart, but if powered up the lens cover is accessible from the
front as the protective shutter folds back.

As a quick question, does anyone know of a 'scratch filler' for glass
or plastic which might reduce the effect of the scratch?

The scratch is not easily visible on video unless there is sunlight
coming towards the lens.

However it is a bit limiting having to always shoot with the light
behind you :-(

Cheers

Dave

I have the same issue with my one - I am starting to wonder if grit gets
caught under the lens cover and thats what scratches it - and also right
in the middle of the lens. I never had any luck getting it repair either
so have to buy a new camera. FYI tried the black pen and it just left me
with black marks - now worse than the scratches and unuseable

Thanks - still waiting to try the super glue trick.

Professional repair seems costly compared to a newer higher specification
camera.

However I don't need a video camera enough to buy another one at the
moment.

Haven't looked on eBay for a used one, though.

Cheers

Dave R

--
Windows 8.1 on PCSpecialist box

I have the same camera with the same problem. It seems a grain of sand was caught in the mechanical shutter which closes over the front of the lens area when the camera is powered down. Each time it opened or closed it scratched the clear outer element. The clear cover is curved and its high point is very closer to the "protective" shutter. No a good design!
I tried a fine tipped black marker for white boards (so I could wipe it off again). The black line was clearly visible in images when in wide angle. The black line and the flaring from the original scratch become far less noticable as the camera is zoomed from wide-angle to normal and telephoto.