Lenses last forever? Think again!

Chai · 10th Jan 2008, 11:17 PM

This is just my personal rant about DSLR lenses, Nikon specifically.

I bought a second hand Nikon 80-200 AF-S f2.8 from ebay in the early 2005. It wasn't in perfect condition, a few scratches on the lens body, and a slightly cracked focus distance indicator. But optically, it's fantastic, not overly sharp at f2.8, but impressive when stopped down. It has got to be my most shot lens among my tiny collection (18-70, 80-200, Sigma 10-20). And it was working fine for more than 2 years.

Some time last year, Adrian's 80-200 (same model) was broken, it wouldn't focus the entire range. And it costed him RM1000+ to replace the front element!

Now I'm facing the exact same problem. In addition to that, the AF motor is starting to show problems too, the infamous AF-S motor which plagued many of the first gen AF-S lenses like 17-35 and 28-70. Just recently, someone I know bought a second hand 28-70 f2.8 lens with AF motor issue, and got fully refunded.

The expected repair bill will probably exceed RM2000, as the AF-S motor replacement will cost RM1000 as well. It's sad that Nikon's pro series lenses are facing these sort of problems. I'm not sure if the newer AF-S lenses have motor reliability issues, but 17-35, 28-70, and now 80-200 have issues.

Think twice if you think lenses last forever.

Adrian Wong · 12th Jan 2008, 10:45 AM

Sigh.. What to do. Nikon stuff are so temperamental. Even the lenses. And you guys know I take VERY good care of my stuff. So, it can't really be due to fatigue or physical abuse.

Look at my D70. It was sitting on its tripod. The next day, the sensor is dead. No reason why. Just dead.

peaz · 12th Jan 2008, 11:14 AM

But lenses without motors do last forever... well almost if there's no fungus on them. LOL!

Adrian Wong · 12th Jan 2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peaz

But lenses without motors do last forever... well almost if there's no fungus on them. LOL!

LOL!! That's true but look at my D70. If its AF motor dies, that's it. I can't use non-AF-S lenses.

peaz · 12th Jan 2008, 01:18 PM

What i meant was to use them fully manual

Gosh, if only film was cheaper, I'd immediately pick up the F2A and play with it more!

Chai · 13th Jan 2008, 11:45 AM

Not true. They will still die. If the mechanical parts break, the lens won't work properly too.

Look at Adrian's 80-200, it wasn't the AF motor.

peaz · 13th Jan 2008, 02:15 PM

Yea. well, depends la.

Some of my old prime lens still going strong. after being as old as I am

unfortunately.... fungus

10th Jan 2008, 11:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 26,122 Reputation: 3845 Rep Power: 70	Lenses last forever? Think again! This is just my personal rant about DSLR lenses, Nikon specifically. I bought a second hand Nikon 80-200 AF-S f2.8 from ebay in the early 2005. It wasn't in perfect condition, a few scratches on the lens body, and a slightly cracked focus distance indicator. But optically, it's fantastic, not overly sharp at f2.8, but impressive when stopped down. It has got to be my most shot lens among my tiny collection (18-70, 80-200, Sigma 10-20). And it was working fine for more than 2 years. Some time last year, Adrian's 80-200 (same model) was broken, it wouldn't focus the entire range. And it costed him RM1000+ to replace the front element! Now I'm facing the exact same problem. In addition to that, the AF motor is starting to show problems too, the infamous AF-S motor which plagued many of the first gen AF-S lenses like 17-35 and 28-70. Just recently, someone I know bought a second hand 28-70 f2.8 lens with AF motor issue, and got fully refunded. The expected repair bill will probably exceed RM2000, as the AF-S motor replacement will cost RM1000 as well. It's sad that Nikon's pro series lenses are facing these sort of problems. I'm not sure if the newer AF-S lenses have motor reliability issues, but 17-35, 28-70, and now 80-200 have issues. Think twice if you think lenses last forever. __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

12th Jan 2008, 10:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my BenQ Joybook 7000 notebook! Posts: 29,436 Reputation: 2830 Rep Power: 63	Sigh.. What to do. Nikon stuff are so temperamental. Even the lenses. And you guys know I take VERY good care of my stuff. So, it can't really be due to fatigue or physical abuse. Look at my D70. It was sitting on its tripod. The next day, the sensor is dead. No reason why. Just dead. __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? Keep Tech ARP free! Visit our sponsors! We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs

12th Jan 2008, 11:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
peaz ARP Webmaster Join Date: 13 Oct 2002 Location: http://atpeaz.placidthoughts.com/ Posts: 8,487 Reputation: 1633 Rep Power: 30	But lenses without motors do last forever... well almost if there's no fungus on them. LOL! __________________ Ken Ng Tech ARP Visit my web gallery - Ken's Digital Canvas Shoot and Earn Money from Stock Photography Sterling@PJ Community Forums

12th Jan 2008, 01:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
peaz ARP Webmaster Join Date: 13 Oct 2002 Location: http://atpeaz.placidthoughts.com/ Posts: 8,487 Reputation: 1633 Rep Power: 30	What i meant was to use them fully manual Gosh, if only film was cheaper, I'd immediately pick up the F2A and play with it more! __________________ Ken Ng Tech ARP Visit my web gallery - Ken's Digital Canvas Shoot and Earn Money from Stock Photography Sterling@PJ Community Forums

13th Jan 2008, 11:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 26,122 Reputation: 3845 Rep Power: 70	Not true. They will still die. If the mechanical parts break, the lens won't work properly too. Look at Adrian's 80-200, it wasn't the AF motor. __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

13th Jan 2008, 02:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
peaz ARP Webmaster Join Date: 13 Oct 2002 Location: http://atpeaz.placidthoughts.com/ Posts: 8,487 Reputation: 1633 Rep Power: 30	Yea. well, depends la. Some of my old prime lens still going strong. after being as old as I am unfortunately.... fungus __________________ Ken Ng Tech ARP Visit my web gallery - Ken's Digital Canvas Shoot and Earn Money from Stock Photography Sterling@PJ Community Forums

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Body and Lenses	peaz	Digital Photography	11	20th Sep 2006 04:31 PM
What would the world be like if everyone lived forever ?	K B Ng	Lounge	10	22nd Jun 2006 02:26 PM
Nikon Telephoto Zoom Lenses	Adrian Wong	Digital Photography	17	27th Feb 2005 03:11 AM