Busted Lens

[Kinky]

At Kinky Juniors school play this morning Mrs. Kinky accidently dropped our wonderful silver D50.

As a result, the lens (18-55) is rattling like buggery. The body seems to be ok - I think the lens took the brunt of the fall.

Anyhow - as a result of this the focus won't work - it's stuck - plus lots of rattline inside.

So - plan A - get it fixed - I've taken it partially apart as I can do - and can't see how it can be fixed and am reluctant to completely dismantle it. So off to Jessops I go to see if they can fix it.

However - I'm quite keen to replace the lens for another one. The lens is the standard D50 one (the 18-55) - which we use quite a bit - much more so than the other lens we have (70-300).

Budget - max £150ish. I assume it would make sense to wait for the sales in Jan (assuming camera dealers have jan sales)?

Suggestions please? Not fussed about them being black or silver..

Many thanks in advance,

K

P.S. - I'm a lens numpty so bear with me.

Edited to add: I'd also happily consider a 2nd-hand lens - really not fusses - just a after a suitable replacement. I could just get a like-for-like replacement - but if I could get a better, more flexible lens then even better.

>> Edited by Kinky on Tuesday 13th December 13:47

[beano500]

Now you didn't buy it on a credit card which gives you X days insurance did you?

Is it covered on your home insurance policy?

Next - get it assessed by Nikon UK (Richmond Road - Kingston, just google for the UK Head Orifice)

[LongQ]

I didn't think you were allowed to tae photos at kid's school plays these days. You sure you want to admit to that?

If it is just the standard kit lens your best bet would be just to buy a replacement - probably get a deal on one, can't be that expensive and a lot quicker than trying to go through a repair process.

However, if it that badly damaged I would get the body checked out as well.

As for the sales - not sure it matters these days. There seem to be a lot of low prices for many items around at the moment. Retailers not wanting to be left with stock in Jan from the build up of stock based on low sales for the last few weeks I would guess. Whether that applies to the D50 stocks I don't know, but I would imagine it might since there is likely to be common to most of the cmaera market.

[simpo two]

I'd scour eBay for a mint s/h Nikkor 18-70mm AF-S, as supplied with the D70.

[beano500]

simpo two said:

I'd scour eBay for a mint s/h Nikkor 18-70mm AF-S, as supplied with the D70.

Is that do-able on the budget?

I suppose you have to ask yourself (now you have an opportunity) what focal length you really use. There are some 24-120s at places like MXV but I can't see a s/h 18-55 there.....

[simpo two]

beano500 said:

simpo two said: I'd scour eBay for a mint s/h Nikkor 18-70mm AF-S, as supplied with the D70. Is that do-able on the budget?

A new one is £199 so the hope was that somebody would be upgrading and sell s/h for £150...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikon-DX-18-70-mm-AF-S-Nikkor-

[_dobbo_]

buy a cheapo 28-80 like this one then save up for a better lens in the meantime?

[Kinky]

Cheers for the responses folks.

I must confess the standard D70 lens seems quite appealing - but as you all say - it's finding one. The one Simpo found is in California - kinda reluctant to buy outside the UK.

To answer Beanos question - I've had it 6-odd months - so not really claimable on insurance. Household insurance - possibly - I'll need to check the details. But if it's going to cost me the loss of 'no claims' or if I pay the 1st £100 or something - then not really worth taking that hit. If it was the body too - then yeah for sure.

And to answer LongQs question about being allowed to take pics at school plays these days ..... lets just say that absurd PC rules have not reached my neck of the woods yet.

Just seen Dobbos ebay posting ..... now that makes sense. I defo want to expand the lens range at some point. So what does that lens not give me? (remember: kinky = lens numpty).

Many thanks all.

K

[simpo two]

Kinky said:

I must confess the standard D70 lens seems quite appealing - but as you all say - it's finding one. The one Simpo found is in California - kinda reluctant to buy outside the UK.

Don't be - that looks like a genuine seller. I got my Micro Nikkor from a chap in California, SB800 from HK, 35mm f1.4 from the USA - all excellent. Canadians are probably less dodgy than English!

Kinky said:

Just seen Dobbos ebay posting ..... now that makes sense. I defo want to expand the lens range at some point. So what does that lens not give me?

Trust me, the 28-80 will not expand your lens range. It's neither wide angle nor telephoto, nor AF-S. OK on 35mm, but a turkey on a DX DSLR.

[_dobbo_]

The 28-80 is pretty rubbish, it has no internal focusing, no HSM or silentwave or whatever it's called, so it's noisier and slower to focus than (say) the 18-70.

However it does get you snapping again, and is a useful backup for when/if the worst happens, which is why I bought one myself.

Compare one to the 18-70 and I suspect the 18-55 and you will see instantly why it's so cheap.

Brand new 18-70 here for quite cheap: www.purelygadgets.co.uk/prodinfo2.php?prodid=592&start=2&keyword=18-70&catsel=all

by the time you've paid postage and potentially been stung for vat/import that's nearly as cheap as you can get it from hong-kong. Not certain it's uk stock but can't hurt to ask!

[simpo two]

_dobbo_ said:

However it does get you snapping again

But it takes no longer to buy an 18-70, and you don't have to fart about trying sell the 28-80 next month when you realise it's useless

[_dobbo_]

simpo two said:

_dobbo_ said: However it does get you snapping again But it takes no longer to buy an 18-70, and you don't have to fart about trying sell the 28-80 next month when you realise it's useless

It's useless until you drop the camera again and need a zoom lens quick smart for an emergency!

However agreed, I'd get the 18-70, but stand by my decision to keep a 28-80 in the cupboard for emergency use, only cost me £20 brand new.

[Captain Beaky]

It's probably worth borrowing a lens to check the body is OK before you go too far. If the body is busted too you'll be looking for a kit rather than just a lens.

[Kinky]

Yeah - Thanks for the heads-up CB. I'm pleased to say that at least the body is ok taking pics ok - auto-focus, etc, etc all ok. The only thing I've not tested is downloading the pics.

K

[LongQ]

Kinky said:

Yeah - Thanks for the heads-up CB. I'm pleased to say that at least the body is ok taking pics ok - auto-focus, etc, etc all ok. The only thing I've not tested is downloading the pics. K

You really need to check the pic quality in terms of focus and detail I would have thought. (Others may correct me).

The problem could be minor and the mechanicals and electrics might work but misalignement of the lens mount to the film plane, for example, could cause a number of problems which would only become apparent when viewing at normal screen or print sizes. Even worse with enlargements potentially.

Hopefully there is nothing wrong but it would be better to check it out sooner rather than later I would have thought.

Then get Mrs. K to cough up for an All Risks Insurance policy!

[Kinky]

Minor update ....

I've just literally come back from Jessops [Basingstoke] - and spoke to Sam there (tip top fella).

He said the lens is knackered and beyond repair .... for the cost of getting the lens repaired - we could spend it on a new/better lens.

So I disucssed options with him and favourite came out as the Tamrom

Tamron 18-200

Anyone used the above? Any comments?

Thanks for the advise LongQ - I'll specifically test that tonight to ensure all is ok.

Many thanks again,

K

[rustybin]

I can see how the 18-200mm range would be tempting but that is a pretty slow lens. Bearing in mind you are going to spend most of your time around 35-70 have a look what sort of minimum aperture you will be at in that region. Personally I would be happy to sacrifice a little of the flexibility for quality and speed. Also try it on you camera to see what the AF is like. I have the D70 kit lens (18-70) on my D50 it covers 95% of my requirements. I also own a Tamron zoom (70-300) and its main function is to remind me just how nice to use the Nikkor is.

>> Edited by rustybin on Wednesday 14th December 13:42

[simpo two]

Kinky said:

Anyone used the above? Any comments?

Haven't tried on, but if you want a 'one lens fits all' solution for little cost and aren't too fussy about quality or speed, it might be just the thing. It all depends on your requirements and how demanding you are. Personally I prefer 18-70mm + 70-300mm but it's a personal thing.

[trackdemon]

Had a similar situation with my trusty old 18-55 earlier this year, and replaced with a Sigma AF-D f2.8-4 28-135 from an Ebay Hong Kong supplier - excellent item at a great price (sub £130 as I recall). Decided that as I also have a 12-24mm Nikor I could well live without the 18mm end of the old lense.

[Kinky]

Well, taking the [as usual] quality advice here, I finally opted for the stock D70 lens - the 18-70.

I found one new from UK dealer for £179 - but they had none in stock - so I went to the next best - £189 at Park Cameras (also positive feedback from folk on here).

Ordered yesterday and arrived this morning

So we're back in business.

The most obvious thing that struck me comparing the 2 lenses is how much better quality and better feel the new one is over the old one.

So thanks all - esp. Simpo, Dobbo and Rusty for the pointers

The camera itself seems to be fine - I've taken some test pics - and colour/quality and framing is bang on (fortunately).

Many thanks again,

K

Edited to add: A BIG thumbs up to Park - for the friendly/quality chat I had on the phone (remember I'm a numpty) and the VERY prompt service.

>> Edited by Kinky on Saturday 17th December 10:24