Is it fairly common for the auto focus motor to squeak on this lens? I am thinking about buying a used one. The seller advises hat it has a small squeak as it auto focuses. He says that he sent it to an authorized Nikon repair shop, and they told him the squeak is common.
I don't want to buy the lens only to have to send it to Nikon for repair right away.
Mine only squeaks after it's been sitting for a little while, then once it focuses a few times it usually goes away. Ask for a discount because the squeak, but I don't think you'll have much issue, at least with my experience.
Had a 300/f4 AFS that performed brilliantly but had a little squeek. Over a little time, that squeek became intermittent focussing issues. Nikon Repair cleaned and lubed it. Squeek gone... temporarily. The squeek came back worse than before, as again did intermittent focus issues. Nikon Repair this time replaced the AF-S motor and some other internals (circuit board?). That seemed to solve things.
I'd personally be concerned yours was heading down the same road. I used to say the little squeek meant nothing. But it did mean problems were beginning.
Andre Labonte wrote:
I would not expect a lens to squeak. That means something is rubbing and will eventually wear out sooner than it should. I'd send it in.
AF-S squeak is not rubbing. It's actually a high pitched whine caused by a stressed motor.
mine started squeeking but it did not affect AF. 2 weeks later, the AF-S motor failed and the lens would not AF at all. 100% guarantee that when there is squeeking, there is something wrong with the AF-S motor. the question really is whether it is going to fail soon or not.
Thanks for all the replies. The lens is on eBay, and the seller stated that the lens squeaked. He said it had been checked out and not to worry. I do believe I will refrain from bidding.
Jul 15, 2011 at 09:53 PM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
graham_martin wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. The lens is on eBay, and the seller stated that the lens squeaked. He said it had been checked out and not to worry. I do believe I will refrain from bidding.
Smart move. I bought one of these from eBay 4+ years ago for a good price (under $800). Seller advertised as "excellent condition". When it arrived it squeaked. Nikon advised that this is DEFINITELY not normal. Sent it in, $300 later they had replaced the AFS motor. Filed a claim with eBay and recovered $250 of the cost. A month later it was squeaking again. At that point I sold it with full disclosure for a discounted price. Have not heard from the buyer since.
I thought the squeak was normal, related to felt in the lens.
I am not an expert on this however.
Mine has always sqeaked (8 years) with no change and no other sign of trouble.
Mine squeaks a bit with hand turning the focus as well.
But, if the motor is being stessed, something is causing more friction (i.e. rubbing) somewhere.