Yesterday I fixed my stiff zoom ring using some white lithium grease it was my first time doing this, but not the first time taking a lens apart. I also asked my friend to record it using his 7d in 1080p. I asked an authorized Nikon repair center if they can repair it but they said it was caused by trauma and its not covered under warranty. I was like what?!? no way did I ever throw or even be ruff with this lens oh well, here is the video hope this is helpful to some ppl.
Got the same lens on my D3x and sure is nice to know it is that simple to remove the front element group.
Just a word of caution for those who are doing it themselves. Do not apply too much grease or you might encounter degassing with little bubble or film like looking thing around the lens if it is use or store in hot weather.
I am curious why Nikon never offer to have it lubricated if they knew it is such a simple matter to booze customer satifaction especially for a N lens user?
I recently visited their service center in Singapore and found that they have improve their service here compare to the last time I visited them before I switch to Canon FF DSLR for a period of time.
That's the good thing for not being loyal or fanatic to any brand. Go where it offer you the most for your money.
yeah I made sure not to apply that much grease very very little paper like. the lithium based grease will melt at temperatures over 350* F. So its good to use for the lens but again very little.
When the 18-200VR was released it was hard to get. I finally got a new copy. It had a rather large shiny "something" in the inside the center of the front element. Rather than send it back and get on another waiting list, I removed the front element(it was simply threaded in). I removed the large speck, cleaned the element properly and re installed it and the lens was great after that. I wouldn't be so brave to take a screwdriver to lens and strip it down like that. Glad it worked well for you.
Thanks mfletch, I did open up some canon lenses before to clean dust from it, like the 28-135mm IS one.
Thanks Todd, those were the only gloves I had lol and yeah there were lose.
gvg45, I guess some authorized nikon centers do the repair and others say its the customers fault I just didnt want to miss any good pics when Thanksgiving and Christmas is coming up.
My 24-70 is smooth now and the IQ is still sharp and spot on. Downsides is that the resell value will go down and warranty is gone.
I did not see any security strip at all. I guess Nikon can see some marks on the screws as one of them almost became bald lol cuz it was so tight. So not too sure how they can tell? There was some red residue or marking on the screws, so maybe locktight or there way of telling it was tampered with.
When you were taking the lens apart, did you notice where any outer plastic parts of the lens were fastened or connected from the inside? I'm currently looking at a 24-70 that has some wiggle in the end plastic piece that the lens hood connects to. I could probably get the lens at a good price since its got that defect, but I'm only interested in it if its something I feel that I can fix. I was wondering if something has possibly come loose and could be tightened from the inside. Any thoughts?
I just didnt want to miss any good pics when Thanksgiving and Christmas is coming up.