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Dodgy lens?


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6 replies to this topic

#1
HarryD

HarryD

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Hi all.

New member here.

Today, received via a well known online auction site by the bay a lens that I think has a problem by virtue of some movement in the manual focus ring.

Can anyone tell me if this is acceptable or should it be returned. So far, images can be placed out of focus by the slightest movement.

 

Any advice gratefully received.

 

Link to lens video (hopefully) -Access via Synology

 



#2
Jimbo Prism

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What model is the lens.

It sounds like a manual focus by wire, on some of the cheaper lenses it only takes a small touch to set it off.

regards

jim



#3
HarryD

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Hi Jim

 

its a Nikon Nikkor Lens 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

 

Harry



#4
Jimbo Prism

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Here is what Ken Rockwell has to say about the manual focus in his review. Note that 60° is from 12 o’clock to 2 o’clock.

 

"If you want manual focus, it's awful. 

It's a pain to have to slide the A - M switch back and forth to get to and from manual mode, and once you're there, manual focus is geared entirely too fast. It focuses from one extreme to the next in a quick 60º of rotation, making it almost impossible to focus precisely manually."

 

Regards

Jim



#5
HarryD

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It’s more to do with free play in the focus ring before anything happens. It’s also possible to throw focus out of whack by the mearest contact with the ring.

The A/M switch is a known issue and isn’t a huge issue for me, I knew about it in advance anyway.

If this element of free play is normal, I’ll adapt. If it’s not, it goes back.

Therefore, still hunting to see if this is a fault or not.



#6
Jimbo Prism

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I think it is normal on that lens, you are not going to get the precision engineering on a £100 lens that you do on a £1k+ lens. Also the slightest touch does throw the focus "out of whack" as is said in most of the reviews. Have a read of some.

To be honest it seems like buyers remorse, your not happy so send it back.

Regards

Jim



#7
HarryD

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Well, after a bit more use, I settled in to this lens and the free play as I now find out is totally normal. Images are great and the lens is in otherwise very good condition indeed. It’s a keeper.

as a newbie, I had to ask, but happy now that everything is as it should be.