p.1 #1 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
So I was reading up on the review of this lens on Ken Rockwell's website and I notice he mentioned something about the front filter. I thought all large lenses don't have replaceable front filters and or glass? His review said it's possible. Can someone elaborate on what he meant by that? Can the front glass be purchased in a store should the stock one is broken?
p.1 #2 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
Actually, the reverse is the case. Almost all modern, fast, long teles have an integrated front filter for the purpose of protecting the expensive front element. Newer long teles have slightly curved front filters to reduce refections from the sensor filter. The filter is usually replaced by the service department.
p.1 #3 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
So this isn't possible to change by the end user? So let's say I win the lottery and buy that lens. If the front filter becomes scratched because a pebble hit it, I would have to ship it back to Nikon to get it replaced?
p.1 #7 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
I think can Nikon and Canon...respectively do not want you to change this out yourself....better to have you ship it to them and have it changed....so that they still have a sale after the sale....I saw somewhere on the internet that both Canon and Nikon think that 1 out of every 10 lenses sold will be back within a year for some kind of user error or an issue not covered by warrantee work...I know I have fallen into this myself.......a way to keep generating income....like Greg stated....I sent off a lens last month to have the front element replaced and it ended up costing about 217.00 with cleaning and spec-ing out....about 12% of the lenses original cost....so why would they make it user replaceable...when they can generate income after the sale....
p.1 #8 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
Manufacturers generally don't want consumers messing about with their products.
It requires the filter and tool for the retaining ring. Proper torque is important for threaded rings. A local (Nikon authorized) camera repair shop may be able to do the work.
p.1 #9 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
EB-1 wrote:
Manufacturers generally don't want consumers messing about with their products.
It requires the filter and tool for the retaining ring. Proper torque is important for threaded rings. A local (Nikon authorized) camera repair shop may be able to do the work.
EBH
I see. So I guess the average person won't be able to replace it even if the part was made available for purchase?
p.1 #10 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
normally anybody should be able to replace it easily, it is easy to remove, the lens comes with a pouch to put that filter when you don't want to use it. The Nikon service thing does not make any sense to me, you can remove the filter yourself in seconds, it is designed for that...
p.1 #11 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
As Guy already stated, removing the filter (and replacing) is very easy. It's just like a normal filter although much bigger.
What I don't understand is how this can be a problem for you. With the Canon big lenses (and most Nikon's) you can't do this. If you scratch the front filter you have to send it in for a replacement, with the 200-400 you can do it yourself.
p.1 #12 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
Chris Dees wrote:
As Guy already stated, removing the filter (and replacing) is very easy. It's just like a normal filter although much bigger.
What I don't understand is how this can be a problem for you. With the Canon big lenses (and most Nikon's) you can't do this. If you scratch the front filter you have to send it in for a replacement, with the 200-400 you can do it yourself.
I'm asking out of curiosity. Do you have a problem with that? The thing that doesn't make any sense to me is that the filter can be easily removed, but yet the user can't replace it without sending it to Nikon.
p.1 #13 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
i think if you call Nikon's parts department, you can get a new one without any trouble. if it's damaged enough to need replacing, i don't see the point in repairing it. OTOH, if the lens itself is damaged too, you'll be sending it in anyway.
p.1 #14 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
I have the Nikkor 200-400 and the front protective element just unscrews without the need for any special tool. You can order a replacement from Nikon parts. Like Guy said, when you buy the lens new it comes with a very well made little nylon pouch to store it in if you want to. You do not have to send the lens to Nikon to get a new front protective element and anyone could screw it on the lens!
p.1 #15 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
Right... in case the last few posts haven't made the issue fully clear, the 200-400 is different from most long lenses in that the protective front filter is not a fixed part of the lens. It can be removed at will be simply unscrewing it, and the statement that the lens would have to be sent to Nikon or a repair shop are incorrect.
So if it ever became damaged, you'd simply have to buy a new one and replace it like you would any other filter... unscrew/remove old one, screw on new one.
p.1 #16 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
Lawrence Lee wrote:
I'm asking out of curiosity. Do you have a problem with that? The thing that doesn't make any sense to me is that the filter can be easily removed, but yet the user can't replace it without sending it to Nikon.
Of course there's nothing wrong with curiosity. But you put your question in a way that this would be a show-stopper for you for buying one (if you ever want to). That's the thing I didn't understand.
p.1 #17 · Can the Nikon 200-400mm VR's protective glass be replaced?
Lawrence Lee wrote:
The thing that doesn't make any sense to me is that the filter can be easily removed, but yet the user can't replace it without sending it to Nikon.
I hope it's clear by now that what seems illogical to you, really is illogical.
You can remove the filter yourself with no tools, just by unscrewing it. You can also buy a replacement filter and put it on yourself. There is no reason to send in the lens to Nikon just for that. It was simply an incorrect statement made in this thread.
...a way to keep generating income....like Greg stated....I sent off a lens last month to have the front element replaced and it ended up costing about 217.00 with cleaning and spec-ing out....about 12% of the lenses original cost....so why would they make it user replaceable...when they can generate income after the sale....
A local (Nikon authorized) camera repair shop may be able to do the work.