Busted Nikon lens

[creampuff]

My most commonly used lens, a Nikon 18-200VR1 is busted. Quote for repair from Nikon is £383. Nikon are replacing the Second Group Tube Unit and SWM Unit.

AFAIK the going rate for this lens new (the VRII model) is >£500 so it makes sense to have it repaired.

But there is one Fleabay commercial seller in Ireland selling them new for about £350. What is going on?

Edited by creampuff on Monday 28th November 21:07

[creampuff]

^ For replacing it with a used lens off Fleabay: can't get excited about that as a used lens may have issues which it will take a while for me to find out about. I'm satisfied that if Nikon do the repair, it will work as well as a new lens.

The question for me then is should I mess with a Fleabay seller who seems to be selling a new lens for 1/3 less than it is available everywhere else or have it repaired?

[creampuff]

^ OK I thought the going rate for a new 18-200 was >£500. Didn't realise it was <£400.

Maybe I'll get a new one, even though I have a sentimental attachment to the busted VR1. The zoom not self extending under gravity would be a nice feature in the VRII.

[creampuff]

I have half an idea that the reason my VR1 is busted is because something whacked the front of the lens inwards after it had self-extended under gravity.

Anyway, where is the cheapest place to buy a 18-200 VRII where there is no danger of fakes/used passed off as new etc etc?

[creampuff]

^ I can live with no warranty if it's cheaper, esp for lenses where there is less that can go wrong. I usually buy my gear in HK from grey-market importers... the only warranty is a shop warranty and the shop is 6,000 miles away from my house.....

[creampuff]

^ I thought the VRII had identical optics and the only difference it has a lock to stop the zoom from self-deploying under gravity. May just be that your particular VRII happened to be sharper due to variation?