Hmm...I have a question that the web can't seem to answer.

I just purchased an older 80-200mm ED AF f/2.8 push/pull lens for my D70s. It's amazingly sharp and I love the lens. However, I hadn't read anything about the D70s not being able to meter proplerly with it beyond f/2.8. When I'm oudoors and want a little more DOF I'll stop it down to f/8 or so and it's blown completely out with the cameras suggested metered settings. Is the D70s not able to meter properly with this lens when stopped down? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Gavin

I just had the same problem with a different lens. My guess? Your lens' aperture is broken.

It gets blown out because when the camera stops the aperture down, it slows the shutter speed but the aperture isn't actually getting stopped down, so its just letting the same amount of light in but for a longer time, thusly overexposing/blowing out.

Edit; here's the thread:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/663700/

It appears to be a somewhat common problem based on the responses. Aperture levers either get stuck or jammed (or lose their springs) and don't actually stop down.

Yup, Taylor hit the nail on the head methinks!

Set the aperture to f/8 and press the DOF button on the D70s. Look down the lens to see if the aperture is stopping down. If not, you know what the problem is.

So it should meter properly? I could have sworn I had checked this and it was working properly. I've been using the camera (command dials) to adjust the fstop. Should I be using the apprature ring on the lens its self? I have it locked on f/22 at the moment. It still works awesome on f/2.8 and that's usually where I'm shooting with this lens, but I'd love to be able to stop down.

Any idea how much repairs would cost?

Thanks for the info guys!

Gavin

Have you tried the DOF button as I described? Does it stop down? If it does, then the aperture is ok. Try different f-stops and see if the aperture closes appropriately.

On the D70s you cannot use the aperture ring, you must lock it at f/22 and use the command dials.

That's what I thought. I'm at work at the moment so I'll have to check when I get back home. I was trying to use the DOF button at lunch shooting a slide I refinished to make sure my DOF was correct and even at f/22 it didn't darken my viewfinder. I'm sure it's the lens. It works just fine on my 18-55. In fact, I know it does as I was explaining what f/stops were to my brother and was using the 18-55 do show him the difference.

hmm..

Looks like it's broken then. No idea about the repair costs though. See if the lever is jammed on the lens or bent. You might be able to gently push it back to place.

you can also just look through the lens when NOT MOUNTED on the body, and activate the stop down lever in the lens mount... it's the little switch that sticks out the back of the mount, move it back and forth and verify wether the apperature blades are moving or not...

Well, it's not broken but the aprature is sticking. It's quite slugish and when opened all the way up, it sticks open. Does it have to be sent to Nikon, or are there other companies that can service it closer to me? I'm near Kansas City, Missouri by the way.

Thanks for the help guys.

Gavin

Any competent camera shop should have no problem fixing it. There were 3 in my area that could, I just picked the cheapest one.

However, if its under warranty (which I doubt, the 80-200 is an older lens) I would always have it done for free by Nikon.

Just an update. I talked with a local repair shop and the owner said this was kind of common for this lens. He said it was built by Vivitar under the watchful eye of Nikon and is one of his favorites, but this is its weak spot. It's actually oil on the blades of the apprature. He said it will need to be taken apart and it could be anywhere from $85 to $200.

On a side note, he did say he may have a couple of the same exact lenses. If so, he'll just trade me out with the cost of the repair so I don't have to wait. I'm kind of glad I found this guys shop!