Nikon 300 f/4 AF-S, whinning noise! ?? !!

Wail

Wail

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I have a small issue with my 300 f/4, at odd intervals I hear a weird whine from within. I am not too sure what's causing it, it sounds like a dry belt trying to pull something. It's a high-pitched whine / screeching noise.

I have gone back to where I bought it from, they only had one other which was their display / demo and it too had the very same noise.

As we are approaching our Hajj (pilgrimage season), which starts tomorrow, everyone will be closed for the next few days. The store have asked me to keep mine with me and they'll try and source another new copy for me after the season.

However, if I can find that this sound is "normal" I would be inclined to live with it, even though I am not too happy to hear it.

Any idea about this?

Thanks for any input / help.
 
I have the lens - never heard this though.
 
That's my thoughts, this isn't normal at all!

I guess it will have to go back once they're opened-up after the season break.
 
I've trialled one and heard nothing, though only had it for an hour and shot about 50 pics.
 
This sound only occurs, rough approximation, at 1 out of 30 shots. It happens as the lens is focusing, and more often when moving from a very close subject to a very far subject.

I am 100% sure it is not normal, but I just want to get some confirmation, please.
 
Charlie,Sawman, had this problem with his 300 F4.It was not a favourable outcome.

IIRC, he had to get the lens rebuilt by Nikon.I may be wrong, but i`m sure that was the outcome when I spoke to him about it.
 
Ouch! Not the sort of thing I wanted to hear; but somehow expected :(

I am going off to shoot migrating flamingos tomorrow and was hoping to take this, I guess I will keep it packed in its' box then :shrug:
 
fracster, is this the lens / thread you're talking about?
 
I assume so, I spoke to Charlie about it whilst I was up there visiting.IIRC, it ended up getting totally rebuilt at Nikon.

I can`t remember the full details,perhaps PM Charlie.........:shrug:
 
I've had a couple of these and mine never made any noise.

Generally squeaking AF-S motors are an indication of a problem. I know a motor replacement (if out of warranty) is quite expensive. Without being able to hear the problem, from your description it doesn't sound right at all.
 
Thank you, everyone, for your input / feedback.

Basically, you've just confirmed what I didn't want to hear; but it was expected.

I am totally convinced that this noise isn't natural at all, and that it is telling me the end is near for the motor of this lens.

The sad part is that the only other copies they have are 1 in the store, which gave the same sound, and the other one is in a city, Riyadh, 1,000 KM away. With the current season as it is, this means I will not be able to test the one from Riyadh for a another few days; and if that turns out noisy too, then all they can offer is either a full refund or to send them for repair ... and here's another pickle! Nikon Saudi Arabia don't do lens repair :shrug: :thinking: ... so, lens goes back to Japan .. turn-around ~ 45 days.

At least they're being very supportive :)

Again, thank you all for your input :thumbs:
 
When are you next in the UK? As you could get Nikon UK to do it for you... personal lens purchases while abroad as long as you bought it from an authorised Nikon retailer and have the purchase receipt would get warranty service here no problem.
 
keep us up-to-date - if you have the choice I'd take the refund - and start again! Good luck!
 
puddleduck said:
When are you next in the UK? As you could get Nikon UK to do it for you... personal lens purchases while abroad as long as you bought it from an authorised Nikon retailer and have the purchase receipt would get warranty service here no problem.
Click to expand...

My initial plans were that I'd be back in UK about this time; but things got me "stuck" here and I don't see a flight to UK anytime soon .. not in the next 3 ~ 4 months :(

But even that, from my last experience with Nikon UK, it took them almost 6 weeks to repair my D200, and the same with my 1st copy of the 24-70 AF-S ... so, 45 days for this to go to Japan and get back isn't all that bad :shrug:


awp said:
keep us up-to-date - if you have the choice I'd take the refund - and start again! Good luck!
Click to expand...

I may just do that, take the refund, and get it from elsewhere ... but this would mean I'd have to go with a grey importer.

The thing is, this was bought from Nikon Saudi Arabia, and they are the only ones who sell Nikon stuff here with the exception of grey importer.

I should mention, the price was exceptionally good (lens plus the 1.4 TC E II for just about £850 at today's exchange rates).

I should also mention that I've been dealing with Nikon here for close to 30 years. They used to be the agents for Minolta as well, and I've always been very happy with their dealing. So, I am willing to give them the extra slack, as long as it turns out good for them and me.

My only option currently is to wait and see what they can get me as a replacement .. if that turns a dud then I will have to rethink (refund & grey-import .. or the one at hand goes off to Japan for a fix).
 
NIKON lenses carry an international warrant AFAIK so it wouldn't matter where you bought one.
 
:thumbs:, does that apply to grey-imports as well?
 
as long as you buy from a Nikon dealer and have a receipt - I believe so.
 
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