Grant, it sounds like you made out OK! Front element scratches aren't that big a deal unless, as someone else pointed out, they are deep and large enough to cause flare or diffraction. Tape residue comes off with a little elbow grease and a rag DAMPENED(not wet or soaked!) in naptha.
Look at it like this: you just got a lens that sells for $1400+ new for $700. KEH has a bargain copy right now for $900+. And it is one absolutely great piece of glass!
I bought mine for $750, it had been either dropped or banged against something hard enough to crack the hood and cause the MF to be a little sticky but internally it must have been OK because it was absolutely sharp as a tack. Not a mark on it cosmetically and no scratches, etc. on the glass. A new hood cost me $40.00, replacing the outer barrel cost another $200 and it's good as new. So I didn't come out any better than buying a used copy in EX condition after all. But I used the lens for 6 months before having the barrel replaced and could still be using it today. I rarely if ever use MF on this lens and the MF worked fine, it was just a little sticky in places. So having the work done was more of a nit-picking thing than a real need.
I think you'll be very happy with your copy, it's a great lens and everybody should have at least one! :wink:
The Beast ROCKS!!! :biggrin:
Bill
