D300s, 70-200mm vrII mounting problem - any insight?

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D300s, 70-200mm vrII mounting problem - any insight?

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Started 2 years ago by elvishefer
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elvishefer

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So, in a fine and long-standing tradition of Murphy's Law in action, I'm having problems with my D300s and my 70-200mm lens.

The problem is this: When I mount the lens to the camera, and it locks in place like all lenses do, it doesn't lock 100% tight.

By that I mean there's a slight rotational free play between lens and mount, and it's just enough to throw the CPU contacts out of whack, and (what I'm guessing is) short out the camera's ability to interact with the lens.

The problem can be triggered by hand-holding the camera and lens, and applying slight torsion, like is possible when focusing or zooming the lens, or even when raising and lowering the camera to shoot.

I should point out that I've been relatively careful with both camera and lens since day one - I appreciate it's a heavy lens and damage could occur if the lens and body aren't properly supported.

Anyway, I have an email in to Nikon to see what my course of action should be, but I was wondering if anyone else ever had a similar problem and could shed some light on how it was fixed.

Some other miscellaneous points:
- everything works perfectly if the torsion does not occur (small victory)
- problem can be solved by turning the camera off, re-seating the lens, and turning it back on
- sometimes if I don't realize it's happened, I can take photos thinking everything is fine and the pics are black (no image) - obviously, this is the worst part.
- all my other lenses do not have this problem (so I'm hoping it will be the lens that needs fixed, and not the body, because I don't have a back-up and Nikon is taking their sweet time with the d800 ;) )

Thanks in advance,
Jeremy

Posted 2 years ago #
Gareth

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Well my VRII has no issues on my d300s and I carry it around by the body frequently.

I would say it is most likely the body mount, but then i could be wrong. Are you able to take it to a shop with a d300s and a 70-200vrII and compare? Preferably the shop you bought it from.

Posted 2 years ago #
elvishefer

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I can take it back to the shop, but I'm waiting to hear what Nikon says and what people here say if they have similar experiences. I may try to time my service around getting another body or something (if it's the body)... I don't know.

The store I got it from is pretty good, so it's not getting service that will be a problem, just the length of time it will take. No Nikon Pro Services for me.

Posted 2 years ago #
studio460

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elvishefer said:
The problem is this: When I mount the lens to the camera, and it locks in place like all lenses do, it doesn't lock 100% tight.

Wish I could help, because I have the same exact problem! Although, I haven't experienced any of the electrical problems (yet!). Seems to shoot fine. I bought an AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I refurb at an excellent price. The lens looks brand new. I doubt it's the body, since it's the only lens I own that does that. Going to take it to Nikon soon also.

Posted 2 years ago #
spraynpray

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The amount that you spent buying that lot should get you a loan camera from the shop (if it were my shop that is). It may be from their secondhand stock like a D40 or summat though. Why don't you suggest it to them?

Posted 2 years ago #
elvishefer

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@spraynpray - excellent point, I think I will.

@studio isn't it a weird problem? I'm hoping that because of your similar experience it's the lens, not the body. I can go without it while they fix it!

Posted 2 years ago #
PB PM

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I have noticed some telephoto lenses have a wiggle like that, I know my AF-S 300mm F4 does, but I've never had the lens lose electronic contact with the body.

Posted 2 years ago #
Mike Gunter

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Hi Jeremy and Studio,

Clearly you're going to have to get it fixed. Call Nikon support, too, they are weak on answering email, it's _possible_ that there's nothing more than giving it a good hard twist to ensure it's on (not likely, but hoping). ;-)

If it is just one lens - and you have a fairly high number of lenses 7-10 or so - it would seem to be a lens and not the body. You might also look at the lens flange connectors carefully - something you probably already have done.

If the lenses are 'loose', there should be some 'wear marks' on them from where they were a bit loose, that should give some clue to where they are slipping.

Hope this helps and my best,

Mike

Posted 2 years ago #
monty11

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Have on occasion borrowed a 70-200 VR with the same problem. It has had the problem since new. I think that the simplest way of fixing is a DIY thin rubber seal. All the camera-lens data should be passed through the contacts, right?

Posted 2 years ago #
NSXType-R

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I guess you could clean the camera contacts before you send it off.

But on my D40, I've had such issues with my 18-135 lens. Sometimes the camera wouldn't take a photo because the lens would "detach" from the lens- the camera can't sense the lens.

I turn it off, turn it back on, rotate the lens, since there's a little play, and everything's fine. A minor issue, but it has caused me to miss a shot once in a while. I notice it when the shutter release doesn't go off.

The body, however, will show an error message, however, like err, lens not attached.

So I don't think your issue is the same with my issue.

It might be because my lens has a plastic mount. The same issue hasn't happened with my 35mm 1.8 or my 105 macro, and I've been changing lenses quite often between the two.

Hope you find a solution to your problem.

Just curious, does your camera ever say that it cannot detect the lens?

Posted 2 years ago #
LoveTheBerry

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My 70-200 VII has had a "Wiggle" since day 1 too. None of my other lenses have this issue.

Posted 2 years ago #
studio460

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At least I'm not the only one! I'll report what Nikon says when I take mine in (I live real close to a Nikon depot).

Posted 2 years ago #
bernard

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I have had the very same problem with my D300 + TC 1,4 + 70/200 VR, resulting in black pictures.

It took 2 years and 6 visits to Nikon to get it right. I even had to tell the Nikon guys myself what the problem was ! :o(
Excessive play was obviously in the TC 1,4 since I had no problem with the 70/200 alone.
The first 5 times they just said they cleaned and adjusted the camera exposure system (Whatever that means). Fortunately I had bought an extended warranty, so it did not cost me a thing except some nervous peaks !

SO, send your camera AND the lens back. It will make sure that they do mend whichever is the culprit.

Posted 2 years ago #
Thomas R

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My D300 goes all out of what when I try to use the 70-200 with a TC11.
The same combo on my D700 works just fine.

Posted 2 years ago #
elvishefer

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So Nikon wants both camera and lens, which was to be expected.

While I'm a disappointed that my 'pro' combo has such a flaw, I'm surprised how many of you have similar issues.

@thomas, bernard - I tried the lens on my TC203 III and it's not as bad, but it still happens.

@NSX - I haven't confirmed the error code yet, but I'll check.

@Monty - I'm not sure I'm comfortable trying a fix myself, but there would have to be some way to minimize the free play. I'm not much of a handyman so I'll let the Nikon folks try it.

@Mike - Nikon said 24h response on the email, and they responded with all of 30 min to spare. Talk about just-in-time customer service ;)

Thanks for your input folks, your ideas helped get me thinking about things I normally wouldn't have thought of or tried.

Cheers,
Jeremy

Posted 2 years ago #
studio460

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elvishefer said:

While I'm a disappointed that my 'pro' combo has such a flaw, I'm surprised how many of you have similar issues.

I'm surprised myself at the number of similar responses. I totally thought it was a simple mechanical adjustment of some sort which Nikon may even perform on the spot. Weird.

Okay, upon cursory inspection, it seems as if the "notch" which locks the lens into its bayonet would seem to be simply too large. I don't see why a simple replacement of the flange on the rear of the lens wouldn't solve the problem. It appears to be attached by five machine screws around the perimeter, and two side-screws. Not sure if the flange is shimmed during assembly or not. If not, it should be a five-minute repair.

I just tested my 70-200 VR I on my D7000 body. There is about a one- to two-degree wiggle. As I wiggled, thankfully, there was no loss of electrical contact and the lens appears to function fine.

Posted 2 years ago #
bernard

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Yes, I was VERY disappointed too, especially considering that I had to take my D300 back to Nikon 6 times to get it fixed !
The thing is that in France, the workshop guys are not employed by Nikon. They're sub-contracted, and they don't seem to care much. We all used to be able to take the sick gear to them and discuss the problem with the technician in charge of the repair. Not any more… They stopped that about 5 years ago, but the complaints coming from the professional retailers who had to follow the same rules grew so high lately, that they recently re-started this facility for them, but not for the public…

This would never happen in Japan I promise you !…

Posted 2 years ago #
Gareth

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My big lenses have wiggle, but it doesn't affect there use. Did you say you cleaned the contacts?

Posted 2 years ago #
elvishefer

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@Gareth - yeah, I've cleaned the contacts a few times now. Sadly, not a solution.

Posted 2 years ago #
studio460

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elvishefer said:
. . . yeah, I've cleaned the contacts a few times now. Sadly, not a solution.

Elvis--I feel so sorry for you. Thankfully, mine at least, appears fully functional. Why haven't you just returned it to the dealer?

Posted 2 years ago #
NSXType-R

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Did you check if you got an error message?

Posted 2 years ago #
elvishefer

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@NSX - the error message the camera gives is 'non-cpu lens detected'

@studio - because the plot thickens...

I took it to the dealer on Saturday hoping to trouble shoot a bit and avoid a lengthy fix.

Tried the 70-200mm on a D90 and a D7000 body and could not reproduce the error.

I was kinda hoping it happened on other bodies because, since other lenses work on my D300s without the problem, it seems to be something about my lens and my body together.

So both go back to Nikon to figure out as soon as I can manage to part with the camera.

Two fun aspects of my trip to the camera store:

1) I had them create a pre-order list for the D800 (whatever it will be called) and put me at the top of it. How's that for optimism? ;) I'm sure I'll be thrilled in one or two year's time when it finally ships.

2) D7000 + 70-200mm is very, very much lighter than D300s, grip, RRS L-plate + 70-200mm. It's neat how used to something one can get. My combo didn't feel heavy before...

Posted 2 years ago #
wangshiyi

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Yes I have just experienced this issue on my D90. I didn't get an error message but I couldn't take any photos as the lens simply couldn't focus. I remounted it and after a few attempts it finally started working. It does have quite a bit of wiggle on the D90; it has a very slight wiggle on my D700.

Posted 2 years ago #
NSXType-R

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So...

I wonder if he ever solved his issue?

Posted 2 years ago #
elvishefer

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Still waiting until I have a second body to fall back on. I'm supposed to contact the dealer to see about a loaner D700 but I've been too busy with the day job.

I've figured out how to hold the lens and camera to minimize the occurrence of the problem, so for now, it's half-assed 'worked around'.

Still annoys me though. ;)

Posted 2 years ago #