D80/Nikon 18-135 DX Zoom

[kojak]

I bought the above 2 years ago. I'm now having problems with the auto focus as it's not working 90% of the time. On manual its fine. It turns out to be the lens as i've borrowed another one to eliminate the camera which it has. The lens is at fault. My questions are:

1 - Is this a common fault with these types of lens. I'm annoyed as I've only had it a couple of years but its hardly been used.

2 - Where is the best place to get it repaired?

[Simpo Two]

Fixation did a great job on one of my Nikkors: www.fixationuk.com/Fixation/Repairs.html

[beano500]

kojak said:

...its hardly been used.

Have you tried cleaning the contacts on the lens (and the body, just to be on the sure side)?

[kojak]

beano500 said:

kojak said:

...its hardly been used.

Have you tried cleaning the contacts on the lens (and the body, just to be on the sure side)?

Yes. With a cloth/soft brush. They look clean though. I thought I was getting a quality lens with it being a Nikon. Think I was wrong.

[kojak]

Update.

Its the lens and it will cost £129 to repair. The AF isnt working. I complained to Nikon and they will knock 25% off. Not sure whether to just use it on manual and buy another lens rather than have it repaired.

[kojak]

Not sure what to do. Should I repair and pay £98 and have the lens back with 6 months guarantee, or what should I replace it with? The lens is a decent lens and to replace it with a good quality one will cost a lot more. What do you think?

[beano500]

Two immediate possibilities.

If it's the lens you like to use and you don't have a yearning for anything different, I'd go with a repair and (assuming this will come with a period of "warranty/guarantee") you have a good lens for the foreseeable.

But - if you're at all like me - NAS will be biting at you and I'd see what you can do to trade in for the lens you really want. Being pragmatic, a lens that you can't do what you want to do with it is worth nothing at all in your kit bag.

But that's just my view.


You could also analyse what focal lengths you really use. I did that before the last major overhaul in my kit and it was successful at working out which to replace and what was not really being used (didn't stop a lot of NAS happening mind!).

[kojak]

I do use the lens as its the only one I have at the moment. Ultimately, I'm after a sharp photo and I realise I can get a new cheaper Nikon 18-55 for a little over the cost of repair but I guess i'd lose some sharpness which I dont want.

I have read about the 18-200 VR lens from Nikon, but its £400+.