I am looking for some insight and experienced guidance here.
Over the weekend, I shot almost 2000 pictures at 2 parades, a festival and concert and 3 fireworks displays. Before I started, I was having some intermittent problems with my Nikon 24-85 3.5-4.5 AF-S ED G lens. I didn't think much of it as the lens still seemed to work OK and the images on the, small, screen on my D200 looked good.
However, by the time I finished with the last fireworks display on Friday Night, the zoom ring was seriously sticking. I would have to move it back and forth till it gave and I could zoom. It never did get all the way down to 24mm though. It has now changed from an occasional little nuissance to a constant problem. I also noticed that the front portions of the lens have a little jiggle or wobble to them. Upon looking at the pictures on the computer, I noticed that a large number of the later photos, from the weekend, seemed to be a little soft and blurry. I don't know for sure if that is related or just coincidence from using a lot of continuous exposures or bursts.
This lens is the original lens that I bought with my D100 right when the D100 was first released. (September of 20??). I have taken almost 10,000 pictures with it so I wouldn't be surprised if there was some issue of wear involved here.
I sent the D100 in a couple years ago for some repairs and bought a D200 while it was in the shop. I have kept both cameras and have been in need of a new lens for the D100.
The problem seems to be a common one from what I have been reading, with a wide range of lenses. Nothing goes in any detail, though, of what was the problem or cost. I had a similar problem, I think, with a Tokina lens that I had for my Canon A-1 but I never had it looked at. I have an email out to Nikon Tech support but it has been 3 days and no reply. Holiday though, perhaps I should be a little more patient. Now for my main question(s) here,, Is anyone familiar with this problem and is the lens worth getting fixed? I just ordered a Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR II this morning and might be interested in sending the 24-85 in and putting it with the D100 if it is worth it. Thank you for your comments,
Answer seems simple to me. If you have 15 minutes to fill out the repair form and drop this lens at the post office, why not send it in.
They only repair it if you approve the bill. Only you can decide how much you enjoyed the lens and if the quote ( could even end up being a Customer Service repair ) is worth it to you or not.
If you remove the rubber zoom band from the lens there is a single cylindrical screw which can be removed. Extend the lens to the 85 position. Be carefull to mark the relationship of the front collar to the zoom collar and front of the lens. Once the screw is removed and the collars moved out of the way you will see around the lens inside 3 chrome screws with crossheads. Check them all and you will probably find one to be nearly falling out! After tightening you will also note that the front doesn't wobble either! Now its just a question of getting everything to line up so that you can put the cylindrical screw back in. I didn't mark mine up and it took me a few attempts to get it back together. Patience is the key! Good luck. Mine is actually tighter on the front end than when it was new and I suspect that these screws haven't had enough loctite applied at the factory.
Whole procedure took me 20 mins and lens works like new.
