I would expect people to be angry when you pay $2,400 expecting to get a high end, quality Nikon product only to find confetti inside your lens after a short amount of time.
I was thinking about upgrading from my VR to the VR II. Now with the focal length issue and the confetti celebration.. Not even going to happen for a while.
As nice as it is to be the first one on the block with the new toys, sometimes it means you are also the first one to see/experience any flaws or manufacturing issues. I'm sure Nikon will find and resolve the issue.
That being said, anyone looking for a deal on the new 70-200VR2 may want to keep an eye out on the refurbished page at Adorama.
It kinda looks to me like graphite lube on the threads, maybe some other type of thread lube.
One good thing about Nikon, they do stand behind their gear. If it doesn't get on the lens elements, keep shooting!
Mine is at Nikon California as of today for the issue. I'll let you all know what happens. Even if they choose to NOT fix it, I'll have the DOC that I sent it in if they ever decide to issue a recall.
We shouldn't have ANY issue for a lens that costs $2500.00 - even if is doesn't affect performance. We don't need camera equipment to start being like software - that's broken when you buy it brand new and you have to apply fixes.
Thanks for the heads up!!. I had budgeted a replacement for my 7 year old Sigma this quarter. It can wait a while now.. Sounds like more than a rumor at this point
Why do you think Nikon is trying to screw you?
**********
No..and I think it will turn out OK but I think it is an example of a short sighted management decision. If they did know that this problem existed it would have been better to 'suck it up" and delay the release, IMHO.
For a follow up...I called Nikon Service to report the problem and obviously they are aware that this problem exists. The person that I talked to made sure that my lens was in the data-base and I was issued a "case" number. They will inform me via e-mail when they sort the problem out.
As expected, Nikon support was very professional and "supportive".
Not to beat a dead horse but I just looked down the barrel of mine it and looks like there are the beginnings of this. I've got till 1/31 to return it - time to play with it a lot!
HellaRugged wrote:
Not to beat a dead horse but I just looked down the barrel of mine it and looks like there are the beginnings of this. I've got till 1/31 to return it - time to play with it a lot!
Seriously, if you believe that you are going to return/exchange yours, I would do it right away. I wouldn't want to risk anything happening to the lens that would void the return option.
Jammy Straub wrote:
What a PITA for Nikon and everyone who got a lens suffering from this. Hopefully it'll get sorted quickly and easily. Ah they joys of modern manufacturing.
I've had my lens since Black Friday and I've used the living hell out of my lens.
Haven't seen this happen yet. It doesn't mean that it will never happen, but it hasn't happened yet.
I'll keep using the lens, making money with it and keep an eye on it, when it shows up, I'll send it back for repair, my lens has 5 years of warranty.
Mike Mohrmann wrote:
Seriously, if you believe that you are going to return/exchange yours, I would do it right away. I wouldn't want to risk anything happening to the lens that would void the return option.
If you are still in the "window" to return it to the retailer for a full refund, I would do it and wait for the dust to settle. Mine was ten days past the return date before I became aware of this issue. In my lens, more than the "threads" are affected.
It might not be anything. Does the problem affect the lens' performance? Could be just cosmetics. Although, I'd rather not have that 'cosmetic' issue when paying 2400 usd.
I don't really believe this response from Nikon. Folks have stated that not only do the 'threads' appear damaged, but the flakes that are coming off are visible inside the lens and on the lens elements. Also, the photos I have seen really appear to show damaged threads, not simply "pores".
I recently ordered a VR II after first selling my VR I which I got a very good price for. I plan to very carefully inspect my lens once I receive it, any sign of damaged threads or flakes of metal or coatings coming off inside of the lens and it gets returned immediately. $2400 for a lens with damaged threads and debris inside of it is entirely unacceptable.
As far as I can see, those are NOT working thread. They look like threads, but nothing treads into them. The material looks like its "Parkerized" which is an Oxidizing Process not anodizing. But then again, I haven't taken a lens apart. It's just what I can see through the front element.
So far my lens is OK, but still looking at it closely, before and after suing it on a shoot.
I had pre-ordered my 70-200 VR II from Amazon in August, it was delivered at the end of November. I thought that I was passed the 30 day return period, however, since my card was charged during the holiday shopping period, the refund deadline is Jan. 31, '10. Wooo...hoooo..I may have dodged this bullet. Return labels are printed, it's going back in the AM.
I and others have reported, in addition to the 'chipped" threads, silver (metallic ?) particulates in the lens. A picture of this has been posted, this isn't my lens, mine is about 1/2 as bad as the one shown.
oops...I didn't intent to post a huge photo..I just linked...Oh well...it a good illustration why people who have this problem don't consider it just a cosmetic variation and nothing to worry about.
Looks like a typical canon lens straight from the store. Well thats what my Canon rep told me back in 2002 after he proceeded to show me several other brand new copies. Funny thing is I haven't noticed any dust in my 10 Nikon lenses I own now. Im sure that Nikon will take care of this quickly and just replace the units that are damaged.
