Nikon 300mm F4 IF-ED AFS

[Sootchucker]

Hi guys,
I have one of the above lenses which I purchased from here a couple of years ago. Now it's incredibly sharp, but over the last 8 months or so, it's started to develop a squeal on focusing, which as I understand it, is usually the AFS motor mechanism telling me it's on it's way out. Weird thing is, if I cycle the lens from minimum focus to infinity a dozen of so times, the noise gets less and less until it disappears, only to reappear next time I use the lens.

Also, my lens hood (the retractable one) has a crack in it which has been bugging me ever since I purchased it (seller did declare it). My question is, has anyone recently sent one of these in to either Nikon, Fixation etc, and had a quote on typically what sort of costs I'd be looking at please ?

The other option is just to use it until the AFS gives up the ghost completely, but then knowing my luck it would be right in the middle of a once in a lifetime shoot !

 

[cambsno]

I had a 70-200 and a 300 that did this, but only when not used for a period of time. When they were used they were fine so they probably just needed 'warming up'.

 

[BillN_33]

same as Simon - I find that if I do not use my 300mm f2.8 VR for a few weeks it squeaks and then after a few minutes or half an hour goes back to normal

 

[jomike]

Hi guys,
I have one of the above lenses which I purchased from here a couple of years ago. Now it's incredibly sharp, but over the last 8 months or so, it's started to develop a squeal on focusing, which as I understand it, is usually the AFS motor mechanism telling me it's on it's way out. Weird thing is, if I cycle the lens from minimum focus to infinity a dozen of so times, the noise gets less and less until it disappears, only to reappear next time I use the lens.

Also, my lens hood (the retractable one) has a crack in it which has been bugging me ever since I purchased it (seller did declare it). My question is, has anyone recently sent one of these in to either Nikon, Fixation etc, and had a quote on typically what sort of costs I'd be looking at please ?

The other option is just to use it until the AFS gives up the ghost completely, but then knowing my luck it would be right in the middle of a once in a lifetime shoot !

My 300mm f/4 AF/S does exactly the same. It is getting gradually worse now and I have to cycle the focus back and forth manually to get it to AF at all when first using it.
It gets better as it warms up, but it still squeals. AF is still fast and accurate though.
I'll keep using it until it stops working altogether, and keep an old Sigma 70-300 with screw drive focus as back up.

 

[rob-nikon]

I've heard about this squeak and did have if on a 300 f2.8 I had just bought off eBay (as it was discribed as perfect condition it went back quite quickly!). The 300 f2.8 I then purchased had already had the AF motor replaced due to this problem as it's likely to be quite common. I would guess it would be around £300 as that was what the repair receipt said on my 300 f2.8. The easiest way would be to email fixation as it's likely they could quote both without seeing it. Due to the value of the lens it's going to be a decision over whether it's worth it now or use it until it fails. Are you planning on any trips of a life time any time soon?