Nikon 18-105 kit lens sent for warranty repair

GreenNinja67

GreenNinja67

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Terry
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Discovered a fault last week while in Norway for work with this lens.

Zooming had a sticky spot during its travel. Didn't seem to affect the autofocus so used it whilst away.
I sent it for warranty repair as it was within warranty and Nikon have replied via email stating the lens mount is damaged and is a chargeable repair.
Now this is my only lens and I've taken it off the body (D7000) only a few times, it's always stored in my Lowepro bag and has been well looked after.
I shall be phoning them lunchtime to enquire why this fault has been deemed chargeable as visually there was nothing wrong the mount when I sent it to them.

Anyone else had issues with this lens? I'm aware it has a plastic mount but surely a product must be fit for use?
To say I'm a little annoyed is an understatement.

Terry.
 
seems odd I would as you say push the point for clarification.
Ask them to detail the damage maybe with a photo.

I have the same lens and as you also use it rarely, its plastic but its not fragile.
 
Ok thanks mr bump.

I'll see what Nikon UK have to say when I phone them.
If the mount is broken physically it certainly wasn't obvious when I sent it to them.
Wish I'd taken photos of it now.
 
GreenNinja67 said:
Ok thanks mr bump.

I'll see what Nikon UK have to say when I phone them.
If the mount is broken physically it certainly wasn't obvious when I sent it to them.
Wish I'd taken photos of it now.
Click to expand...

agreed it might be cracked just not visable or maybe they is a ding?
 
But how would that affect the zoom operation?

Surely it would affect the ability to mount / dismount the lens?

And there are no dings, always been looked after.
 
So had a conversation with a service representative.

"The engineer has looked at the lens and the mount is broken as in the photos we've sent you"

Yes the mount is broken but The lens has not been off the body for 6 months, how does this happen?

"You may have turned the lens too far when attaching it".

You can't do that, it's physically impossible due to the nature of bayonet mounts.



So I'm now waiting 3 or 4 days for the estimate. To my mind the design is crap and I won't be buying another plastic mount lens.
I'm also having to pay £14 if I refuse the repair. Disgusted with the lack of service.

I think I'll buy a mount and do it myself.
 
I think the mounts are available for around £5, I would go with Nikon repairing under warranty,tell them it's there fault for putting on a plastic mount, I have seen many on the net broken because of Nikon saving a few pennies using plastic, if they refuse, take it up with the retailer where you had it from, if it's under a year old.
 
Someone replaced their 18-105 plastic mount with a metal one, a bit of engineering involved but the result was great, worth a google.
 
I owned one of these for less then a month a while back, have you at any time knocked the camera or put it down heavily ?
My daughter dropped mine on a D200 body and the mount snapped, would never have another plastic mount lens, luckily insurance paid out.
The reason it won't work is possibly because you don't have a tight fit to the contacts.
As you have a D7000 which I belive has an internal; motor, consider replacing it with the Nikon18-70 which can be bought quite cheaply but are a fantastic lens for the price, only one of my old budget lenses I have kept
 
Nikon kindly sent me an estimate for £89.44


I politely declined and was still charged £13.87 for the estimate and shipping to get the broken lens back.

I cannot remember dropping the lens/camera at all and the lens has not been removed from the body for six months.

I will never again buy a plastic mont lens. They are crap.


In fact I'm going to go retro and buy some AI-S prime lenses. This modern stuff has put me off. Wish I had kept my old 18-70 from my D70 now.

Right, time to buy a plastic mount and fix it myself. Then I'll sell it pronto.
 
The one thing I see a lot of, looking at ebay and there are plenty of broken mount lens going, it so obvious a design fault, I think you are doing the right thing in selling it, if me I would take a look at selling it as is and let someone else repair it as I don't think they sell for much less when broken, will save you any hassle in the end.
 
Thanks Ivan,

I've tried the "design fault" line with Nikon but they still will not repair under warranty. Shysters comes to mind.

I may repair it myself out of a matter of interest. Not sure yet. The way I feel at the moment i don't even want to look at the damn thing.
 
To c22w1: The D7000 is fantastic. Don't let my lens woes put you off, you don't have to buy it with that lens.

But if you did I reckon you'd make money if you sold the lens immediately as the kit price makes the lens a bargain.

Then steer clear of the other plastic mounts (35mm f1.8G, 55-200 as well I think)
 
The 35mm f1.8g does have a metal mount, the 55-200mm you are right it's plastic:|, I want to get the 55-200mm but it's off putting seeing all the horror stories that's for sure, may just get a different brand depending on reviews in the end, either sigma or tamron, but I don't think the tamrons come with a built in AF motor and only some of the sigma do.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Ivan and AI.


I thought the 35mm was plastic. Good to know they do make a reasonably priced lens with a metal mount
They should charge an extra 20 quid and put metal mounts on all lenses.
I for 1 would pay the difference.
 
Mybe it got broken by the courier, they tend to just sling things about irrespective if it has fragile on it or not.

Realspeed
 
Hi realspeed,


Unfortunately not. The thing rattling around inside was part of the mount apparently. I must have just missed it.
 
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