Nikkor 18-70 "guides dropping out" - Cost to repair?

[james_tigerwoods]

I'm gutted, I've taken my Nikkor 18-70 in for a repair quote and I've been told that, the "guides are dropping out" as it occasionally doesn't zoom back to 18 and sticks at 24mm.

Not earth shattering, but a royal pain in the ass - especially as I've only had it a few months. Has anyone else had experience of this?

Also, I've been quoted £110 to get it repaired (annoying as that's what I paid for it!) - does £110 sound reasonable?

Thanks

JTW

[craig_s]

As I said on the other thread, I was £80 + postage so probably works out about the same for a similar sounding problem.
I bought mine second hand too so felt the same as you do. I thought about buying another but didn't feel like taking the risk and have the same problem to deal with so decided to stomach the bill and get it repaired. Not ideal but it does honestly feel like a new lens now.

As for the guides dropping out I've got no idea what that means. I was just told the zoom mechanism had jammed so they replaced a couple of bits and pieces.

[james_tigerwoods]

Thanks Craig, it's just a bit galling really

The 35mm will have to wait. Again.

[craig_s]

I know it's probably not much use to you but if you're ever up near Edinburgh before you get the 35mm you'd be more than welcome to borrow mine to see how you get on with it. Although it will probably just make you want to get one even sooner!

[james_tigerwoods]

craig_s said:

I know it's probably not much use to you but if you're ever up near Edinburgh before you get the 35mm you'd be more than welcome to borrow mine to see how you get on with it. Although it will probably just make you want to get one even sooner!

Thanks . I think

[_dobbo_]

If you've only had it a few months isn't it warranted? Or was it a second hand buy?

[james_tigerwoods]

_dobbo_ said:

If you've only had it a few months isn't it warranted? Or was it a second hand buy?

2nd hand.... From a PHer

[RobDickinson]

Stuff breaks.

Zoom is usually done with groves in the lens body and tabs on the zoom elements etc, I assume they mean this mechanism has worn/broken so will either need a new section of lens or the inner bit, which means the lens has to significantly dismantled and rebuilt + tested etc.

[james_tigerwoods]

I know things break, I'm just gutted and wanted to know if the price quoted was excessive.

You live and you learn.

[andy-xr]

Thats about right on price, my Sigma 18-50 had the same problem and Sigma charged £95 to repair and clean up.

Annoying, but nowt you can do really

[james_tigerwoods]

andy-xr said:

Thats about right on price, my Sigma 18-50 had the same problem and Sigma charged £95 to repair and clean up.

Annoying, but nowt you can do really

Indeed. I've bought another one for £85

[ian in lancs]

Common problem with that lens according to Nikon hong kong. Mine packed up whilst away and they quoted 300hkd to fix it. Only problem they wanted two weeks for parts and I was flying home in two days. At uk costs it's not worth repair, especially when the 18-105 can be got for circa 160 gbp.

[james_tigerwoods]

ian in lancs said:

Common problem with that lens according to Nikon hong kong. Mine packed up whilst away and they quoted 300hkd to fix it. Only problem they wanted two weeks for parts and I was flying home in two days. At uk costs it's not worth repair, especially when the 18-105 can be got for circa 160 gbp.

Bah... Grumble grumble

[Simpo Two]

You're not trying James. Get a Nikkor 17-55 f2.8, knock it off a filing cabinet and see how high you can get the repair bill!

[james_tigerwoods]

Simpo Two said:

You're not trying James. Get a Nikkor 17-55 f2.8, knock it off a filing cabinet and see how high you can get the repair bill!

That sounds like the voice of experience... **winces** How much?

[Simpo Two]

About £450; it landed on its butt and almost everything was broken except the elements. But a new one was £950 so you just have to stump up

Still, less tax to pay...

Anyone else beat £450?

[james_tigerwoods]

Simpo Two said:

About £450; it landed on its butt and almost everything was broken except the elements. But a new one was £950 so you just have to stump up

Still, less tax to pay...

Anyone else beat £450?

Eeep

[andy-xr]

Think John185k has one that'll beat that, but it might be too painful a memory IIRC

[ian in lancs]

How about writing off a d300s and 18-105...

[james_tigerwoods]

ian in lancs said:

How about writing off a d300s and 18-105...

Ouch, how?