stiff zoom in the nikon 24-70 2.8

[blackchua]

Hi all

Just bought a nikon 24-70mm from a cs member here on the 3rd of dec (Sat)

While i was trying out the lens everything seems fine, zoom was smooth and no loose parts, so took my lens out to shoot on the same day then problem came. 1st the plastic area that hold the hood be came loose (wobbly)
the today the zoom became stiff from 50mm to 70mm.

Any one experience it b4, how much will it cost to send to NSC rectify the problem.

Thanks.

 

[daredevil123]

How old is this lens BTW?

Stiff zoom can mean many things. Fixes ranges from lubricant to complete barrel replacement.

Best thing is to bring it into NSC for a quotation.

If you are the adventurous type, you can try this for starters.. if it is still stiff after this, then send it to NSC.
[vid]0tYLKFUWP68[/vid]

 

[blackchua]

Called Nikon... they told me tt a barrel change will be necessary which cost bout $746... faint...

 

[daredevil123]

Called Nikon... they told me tt a barrel change will be necessary which cost bout $746... faint...

That is cheap. It used to cost 900+ to 1k+.

If you want to save some costs, why not try that fix in the video I posted? If you are not confident in doing it yourself, you can pay a 3rd party repair shop to do it.

BTW, how old is your 24-70? Not a trick question, when the 24-70 is produced actually tells you a lot about the failure rate of this particular lens.

 

[ondoy]

its natural for it to be stiff...
tried it on a bnew lense frm slrr and ap a while a go...

 

[cloudbp]

have the same problem, sent to ncs
they did a 1 to 1 replacement (on warrnety)
now is smooth as ever.
FYI the serial i got start with 6

 

[Kit]

I have 2 24-70mm. First copy was bought in 2009 and second one was bought last month. On both copies, I do feel a bit more resistance turning the zoom ring from 50 to 70mm. I feel more resistance on the 1st copy. 2nd copy was smoother but still, there's some resistance. So I guess that's normal. However, if you are experiencing what was shown in the video, you might have a problem.

Haven't experienced a wobbly lens hood mount though.

 

[Kit]

That is cheap. It used to cost 900+ to 1k+.

If you want to save some costs, why not try that fix in the video I posted? If you are not confident in doing it yourself, you can pay a 3rd party repair shop to do it.

BTW, how old is your 24-70? Not a trick question, when the 24-70 is produced actually tells you a lot about the failure rate of this particular lens.

Seriously, I wouldn't advise anyone to do that kind of remedy work on their own.

 

[daredevil123]

I have 2 24-70mm. First copy was bought in 2009 and second one was bought last month. On both copies, I do feel a bit more resistance turning the zoom ring from 50 to 70mm. I feel more resistance on the 1st copy. 2nd copy was smoother but still, there's some resistance. So I guess that's normal. However, if you are experiencing what was shown in the video, you might have a problem.

Haven't experienced a wobbly lens hood mount though.

50-70 resistance is normal.

the complaints is usually about 24-35mm zoom in that direction, where it gets so tight to almost not zoomable, with scratch lines happening to the inner barrel.

 

[daredevil123]

Seriously, I wouldn't advise anyone to do that kind of remedy work on their own.

Some people can handle it. For those who can't, a visit to 3rd party repair man is in order.

 

[blackchua]

The receipt tt the seller gave me says that it was bought on 2009.

 

[daredevil123]

The receipt tt the seller gave me says that it was bought on 2009.

So how stiff is the zoom? Is it so stiff that you can hardly turn it? Are there grinding noises/feeling? Are there any scratches on the inner barrel (the front part the moves in and out when you zoom)? You said it only occurred between 50-70mm right?

 

[blackchua]

The stiffness jus started and i think its getting worst, i still can turn it, no grinding noise or feeling but, it feels more like one its stuck in a grove when turn to 50mm jus need a tuck to turn it to 70mm, i did look into the barrel. but on the outside there are straight lines, yes its only happens when turning from 50mm - 70mm and back.

The weird this is if i turn the focusing ring to infinity the stiffness is not there but as i turn it to the other direction the stiffness gets harder.

 

[daredevil123]

The stiffness jus started and i think its getting worst, i still can turn it, no grinding noise or feeling but, it feels more like one its stuck in a grove when turn to 50mm jus need a tuck to turn it to 70mm, i did look into the barrel. but on the outside there are straight lines, yes its only happens when turning from 50mm - 70mm and back.

The weird this is if i turn the focusing ring to infinity the stiffness is not there but as i turn it to the other direction the stiffness gets harder.

if you see straight scratch lines... that is very similar to what is reported as a symptom of the infamous zoom grinding issue. See here:
Nikon appeal for warranty repair DENIED: Laugh or Cry?.....: Nikon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Feel free to read the entire thread for more info. But the funny thing is that usually the grinding happens between 24-35mm.
Can you check that the grinding/resistance gets a lot less if you turn the lens upside down (the focus distance window faces the floor)?

 

[blackchua]

if you see straight scratch lines... that is very similar to what is reported as a symptom of the infamous zoom grinding issue. See here:
Nikon appeal for warranty repair DENIED: Laugh or Cry?.....: Nikon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Feel free to read the entire thread for more info. But the funny thing is that usually the grinding happens between 24-35mm.
Can you check that the grinding/resistance gets a lot less if you turn the lens upside down (the focus distance window faces the floor)?

Yup have those scratch lines... i did try to turn the lens upside down but no diff..

 

[daredevil123]

Yup have those scratch lines... i did try to turn the lens upside down but no diff..

It's your call dude. If I am you, I will bring it in to NSC.

 

[blackchua]

It's your call dude. If I am you, I will bring it in to NSC.

Man..!!! i jus bought this lens.... if im gonna spend another $746 (exclude service charge) i should have bought a new one and it cheaper...

Wat do they mean by changing the barrel? they change jus the tube or even the groups and elements?

 

[alantkh]

Man..!!! i jus bought this lens.... if im gonna spend another $746 (exclude service charge) i should have bought a new one and it cheaper...

Wat do they mean by changing the barrel? they change jus the tube or even the groups and elements?

that is the risk of buying things second hand.

The 24-70 zoom issue is quite well known so I never considered in getting it second hand. It was fixed in the later batches.

something EVERYONE should read before buying second hamd
LensRentals.com - Lens Repair Data 4.0

 

[116520]

May I know when is considered "the later batches"? Is there a serial number to note or after which year of production? Thank you.

that is the risk of buying things second hand.

The 24-70 zoom issue is quite well known so I never considered in getting it second hand. It was fixed in the later batches.

something EVERYONE should read before buying second hamd
LensRentals.com - Lens Repair Data 4.0

 

[daredevil123]

May I know when is considered "the later batches"? Is there a serial number to note or after which year of production? Thank you.

Which batch is hard to say. Lensrentals turn over their lenses really quickly, and according to their reports their 24-70 acquired in 2010 are ok. But I have also read of a particular case in Malaysia where the same thing happened to a copy bought in Aug 2011, with late serial number (563XXX). That is very close to mine, but I have not face problems so far.