While I was enthusiastically taking macro pictures of damp flower petals, I accidently got some water on my lens. I didn't panic, because I figured it was only water...right? But now it seems to have left the permanent outline of the water drops on my lense! First I tried the tried-and-true method of breathing vapor on it and then using a lens cloth...to no avail. Then I even tried lens cleaning solution, but the outlines are still there!!! :( They are significant enough to show up in my pictures...   Is this a disaster, or is there still hope?

Fretting worriedly,
Stefanie

This sounds cleanable to me, though I know you have tried. Be very careful not to scratch the lens and use only cloths designed for the purpose, i.e. a lens cloth.  I find the cleaning solutions available from opticians are usually very good.

If you are having real problems with getting rid of the marks better to pay a camera shop or opticians to clean it for you than risk damaging the lens. They are covered by insurance if they mess up and it should only be a very modest cost.

And every one said, 'If we only live,
We too will go to sea in a Sieve,---
To the hills of the Chankly Bore!'
Far and few, far and few, Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue, And they went to sea in a Sieve.

Edward Lear
http://www.nonsenselit.org/Lear/ns/jumblies.html