(Suspected) Broken Nikon 18-55 lens :(

[james_tigerwoods]

My 18-55 lens seems to be on its way out - I swap lenses on my D40 quite a bit from the kit 18-55 to the 55-200VR. On occasion, the 18-55 doesn't seat properly and as a result won't autofocus until I unhitch it and hitch it back on again. Not a huge deal as I know it does it, but the OH finds it annoying.

It's not all the time though which is even more annoying - The question is though - do I replace the lens (when it finally dies - and I suspect it will) with another 18-55 (VR or non VR) or something more fancy (especially as I've been eying a 35mm 1.8 for a while)?

Ironically, it was my beloved 55-200VR that my OH dropped on to a concrete floor (it bounced twice) that I expected to have shown "death symptoms" first....

[Fordo]

Is there any dirt on the pins / contacts, on the lens and body? Might be worth cleaning them up and seeing if that helps?

[james_tigerwoods]

Fordo said:

Is there any dirt on the pins / contacts, on the lens and body? Might be worth cleaning them up and seeing if that helps?

I've not had a really close look - but I do suspect that the camera/lens might just be within the 12 month warranty period - failing that I've got an extended warranty from Currys where I bought it (don't laugh - it was the cheapest place to buy it from at the time and the warranty was tossed in)

[andy-xr]

My D40 does similar things, I'm guessing its the AF drive thingy on the body

[james_tigerwoods]

andy-xr said:

My D40 does similar things, I'm guessing its the AF drive thingy on the body

Ahhhhh - Not just me then....

[andy-xr]

I assumed the body rather than lens though, it's not broken as such, just sometimes refuses to do stuff. I havent used it in a while either, could well just be dirt on the mount surfaces

[james_tigerwoods]

Bit of a ressurection - the problem has got worse and I will probably replace the lens (not sure what with yet as I rather like the 18-55 - any suggestions?).

However, if, as above, it might be the contacts - what can I use to clean them?

[_dobbo_]

I had this with dirty contacts on a lens - giving them a scrape with your fingernail should prove/disprove the theory, as you'll see the dirt! I'd personally just scrape it off but I suppose "proper" cleaning could be done with a cotton bud and something like contact cleaner - spray the cleaner on the cotton bud rather than the lens though.

It's unlikely to be the AF drive in the body, since the D40 doesn't have one!

[james_tigerwoods]

_dobbo_ said:

I had this with dirty contacts on a lens - giving them a scrape with your fingernail should prove/disprove the theory, as you'll see the dirt! I'd personally just scrape it off but I suppose "proper" cleaning could be done with a cotton bud and something like contact cleaner - spray the cleaner on the cotton bud rather than the lens though.

It's unlikely to be the AF drive in the body, since the D40 doesn't have one!

Thanks - by process of elimination I'd worked out that the 18-55 was at fault as the 55-200 is working fine, it's the cleaning part that I'm a little wary of.

This could, of course, be temptation to buy a new lens - the 18-55 VR isn't hugely expensive, but I'm already at the "for just a few quid more, I could have" point and am looking at a Nikon 18-70 or 18-105 lens.

[CVP]

The best way I have found of cleaning the lens contacts is just to take the lens off and away from the camera (you'll see why in a mo). The use a simple pencil eraser to give the contacts a thorough going over and then blow away all the bits of eraser that have been ground off. Now you see why I don't do it near the camera

Chris

[NewNameNeeded]

james_tigerwoods said:

This could, of course, be temptation to buy a new lens - the 18-55 VR isn't hugely expensive, but I'm already at the "for just a few quid more, I could have" point and am looking at a Nikon 18-70 or 18-105 lens.

And so to continue the theme, have you considered the very well regarded 18-65 ( link) or go, on, treat yourself, get the 17-55 f2.8 ( link) ) which has been welded on to my lens since I stumped up the cash.

[james_tigerwoods]

NewNameNeeded said:

james_tigerwoods said:

This could, of course, be temptation to buy a new lens - the 18-55 VR isn't hugely expensive, but I'm already at the "for just a few quid more, I could have" point and am looking at a Nikon 18-70 or 18-105 lens.

And so to continue the theme, have you considered the very well regarded 18-65 ( link) or go, on, treat yourself, get the 17-55 f2.8 ( link) ) which has been welded on to my lens since I stumped up the cash.

Eeep - how much????

[andy-xr]

For the same sort of thing you're replacing the kit lens with, I'd seriously look at the Sigma 18-50 F2.8

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-18-50mm-...

[NewNameNeeded]

james_tigerwoods said:

NewNameNeeded said:

james_tigerwoods said:

This could, of course, be temptation to buy a new lens - the 18-55 VR isn't hugely expensive, but I'm already at the "for just a few quid more, I could have" point and am looking at a Nikon 18-70 or 18-105 lens.

And so to continue the theme, have you considered the very well regarded 18-65 ( link) or go, on, treat yourself, get the 17-55 f2.8 ( link) ) which has been welded on to my lens since I stumped up the cash.

Eeep - how much????

Have a look here for Nikon lenses. Not cheap though. http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/cat11.html

Sigma f2.8 recommended above also excellent option, but three times the cost of the Nikon you have.

[kman]

Hi there, if your not up to going for any of the f2.8's I have a spare Nikon AFS 18-70 I could be willing to part with. It's in mint condition and not getting any use - has lens caps and hood, not sure about the box.

By all accounts its a very good lens producing excellent image quality. Do let me know if interested.

[Simpo Two]

kman said:

Hi there, if your not up to going for any of the f2.8's I have a spare Nikon AFS 18-70 I could be willing to part with. It's in mint condition and not getting any use - has lens caps and hood, not sure about the box.

By all accounts its a very good lens producing excellent image quality. Do let me know if interested.

That would be a very good replacement for the 18-55mm, perhaps slightly better and with a little more range.

[james_tigerwoods]

kman said:

Hi there, if your not up to going for any of the f2.8's I have a spare Nikon AFS 18-70 I could be willing to part with. It's in mint condition and not getting any use - has lens caps and hood, not sure about the box.

By all accounts its a very good lens producing excellent image quality. Do let me know if interested.

Sounds like a nice plan/idea as I like my 18-55 and I already have the 55-200 (VR) - Does your lens have the built in motor (ie, will it work with a D40)?

What benefits does it have over a stock 18-55? (Apart from the extra 15mm)

[Simpo Two]

james_tigerwoods said:

Sounds like a nice plan/idea as I like my 18-55 and I already have the 55-200 (VR) - Does your lens have the built in motor (ie, will it work with a D40)?

What benefits does it have over a stock 18-55? (Apart from the extra 15mm)

Yep, it's AF-S. It has an aperture advantage, being f4.5 at 70mm instead of f5.6 at 55mm, plus a metal mount and rear dust seal.



It was my default lens until superseded by the £1000+ 17-55 f2.8 for weddings. Great lens for the money.

Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 5th January 18:47

[gary71]

andy-xr said:

For the same sort of thing you're replacing the kit lens with, I'd seriously look at the Sigma 18-50 F2.8

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-18-50mm-...

I bought a Sigma f2.8 24-70mm a couple of years back to replace my 18-135 that came with my D80. A really versatile lens, secondhand I paid £120, great value and stays on the camera nearly all the time. Clearly not as sharp as the Nikon equivalent, but also 1/10th the price! I have a f1.8 50mm prime for when I'm feeling the need for some sharpness

[gary71]

Oh and the Nikon 18-70 is a cracking lens, if a bit slow, I had one on My D70 before I dropped it on the floor! Sharper than the Sigma I mentioned above.