Just a side note from a personal experience: The front element can be offset a little, causing soft pictures with purple fringing at F2.8 Please note that this is not about rotation, but getting the front element EXACTLY in the centre.
For being it practically impossible to put back the front element with 100% alignment at the first try, you will need to make sample photo's and micro-adjust the placement between every photo. Key is to loosen the screws so you can just move the element a bit!
This is unbelievable. I was seriously considering buying this lens later this year but all the reports of this zoom ring problem have scared me off. There's no way I'd pay the huge price for such a fragile piece of cr%p. Shame on Nikon
Why is this lens soooooo expensive??? I don't get it is just little pieces of glass and metal $1,900 for this?? Great video Bro I'm sure you'll help thousands of people save $400 because thats what Nikon charges to repair this and this is their mistake.
@jjdbest7 Yes it is their mistake!! Thousands have this problem I'm sure! My buddy sold this lens to another friend haha! Its still going strong with the grease and still smooth :)
my nikkon camera has its lens and zoom thing completely stuck and when i detached the lens from the camera i looked in the whole and theres a free peice ... idk what its suppost to be attached to .. its not broken or anything just detahced ... do you think a camera shop can eeasily repair this? im afraid they might accidently mess up the rest of the camera ... because the camera also auto focusses itself which still wrkin ... just the zoom is immovable. shld i jus take it to a shop?
Hi, Excellent video. I have just followed this to repair my identical lens. The only slight difference from your procedure is that you can remove the front element and the next section by removing only the lower 3 screws of the 6 (all comes out as one piece) - I used as a lubricant 3in1 white lithium grease in a spray can. I sprayed a little into the can cap then used a small artists paint brush to apply carefully to areas mentioned. Worked well for me. Lets see how long it lasts.. Thanks
Hi ... useful review ... I just owned one lens like this and mine is a little bit stranger, the part of the front (optical part) that moves in and out the body's lens when you change the focal length (24-70) looks to be a little bit loose, and when I shake or move the lens around I feel something knocking, but I am getting great shots. Do your lens the same ? Thanks.
thank you very much~~ since i watched your video, i dismantled my 16-85 lens as you dismantling your 24-70, for cleaning mildew on the front lens. now my lens looks like a new one~~
@MYTRB Yeah I am kinda turned off getting this lens again. Update! My friend that purchased this lens has used it in the heavy rain, and even used it again tonight inside a club. It is still perfect after the grease fix, no problems at all :) My question is why can't Nikon admit they made some flaws when making this lens, its an easy fix, just lube it!
@jqberry7 Nikon services are weird... My 16-85 broke 3 weeks ago, optics are ruined and AF doesnt work. And Nikon Prague sent me this kind of mail: This happend due to lens fall... my lens is (was) few months old and it never fall down. They cant admit any of their mistakes or whatever... I am totally pissed about this. I hope that my new 24-70 wont end the same as this piece with zoom ring. Damn nikon, if they hadnt such a good class, i would turn canon again...
Has anyone had the problem of the front sticky cover that covers the screws becoming "unsticky"? After opening up the lens, and putting it back together, the sticky ring just doesn't stick as much as it used to anymore. I'm not sure what glue to use to stick it back! :/
Oh yeah, thanks for the video btw, great help! I found that just applying grease in the three "tracks" inside the lens was sufficient to get it working smoothly enough. I almost screwed up the foils under the second element while putting it back together! Great tutorial.
@gnownad I'm glad you got everything working again :) Yes samething happened to me, actually my friend that bought this lens from me, said the samething, the sticky cover isnt that smooth anymore, I would recommend use clear calking but very little of it so it wont get on the glass, OR just use a filter.
I'm not too sure what those foils do? but they must be for some kind of insulation of the Nano Glass.
@jqberry7 I just got it back from nikon, and i can happy say its like brand new! I think they might have replaced the entire lens, but they only said they replaced parts. Cost a bit under 300, but I think it was well worth it since they changed my, copperish mount ring, stretched out zoom ring, entire exterior of the lens (so theres not more scuffs or bumps), both the zoom and focus ring is smooth as butter. This is probably why i will continue shooting nikon!
@jqberry7 Thanks again for the tip. I hope you don't mind. Let me share some of my tricks as well.
I used a toothpick and a sharpened chopstick (sharpened just like a flat screw driver) to remove the front cover. This wooden tools are a bit safer to use
Wow you are brave, way to go! My lens also has some stiffness but not enough for me to want to risk slipping with the screwdriver and scratching my glass and I would also be worried about getting dust caught inside.
@w4rmk I wasnt worried about dust, everytime I took out a lens element I put it in a tupperware container. And when I put it back I just eyeballed it to make sure there was no dust, I have a rocketblower too. After all was done there is no dust inside the lens. Just remember even if there was dust or a scratch it wont affect your IQ.
Damn! your brave.how long have you had the lens? was it too expensive to take it back to nikon to get a services?i had a 17-55mm and the zoom ring was stiff as well and took it to nikon to repair they said the same thing " it had impact damage" and cost 600 pounds (1200 dollars) to get it repaired !
@viperman73 Been using it for 4-5 months now. Zoom ring has a now more firmer feel to it, Like the 70-200 VR1, not as super smooth before with the stiffness, but now its doesnt get stuck anymore its just more resistance to turn since I did put more than required from the lithium grease.
I did not even bother to get a quote from Nikon I knew it was going to be expensive, so might as well just do it myself.
@strobaholic I was nervous, but the zoom ring getting stuck was pissing me off, I did miss some shots because of it. It is still smooth to this day, I'm a happy camper :)
@strobaholic Actually the lens still had warranty. I wa rejected by two nikon autorized repair centers, they both claimed I caused trama to the lens, basically saying I dropped it or damaged it. So I took matters in my own hands. I was gonna do video reviews of two lenses I got, Tokina 50-135 2.8 and Tamron 17-50 2.8, but I sold them already :( In the future I will do more video reviews, and yes Merry Christmas!
@mrkavin Yes for some reason maybe there was not enough "grease" or "oil" originally applied from Nikon. That is another problem, I have read about a screw coming loose from the zoom ring under the rubber, but the symptoms of that is "locking up" or "ceasing" of the zoom ring. And I even believe it is stiff throughout the whole range 24-70. This fix is for when certain parts of the zoom ring get stiff primarily 24-35.
Just a side note from a personal experience: The front element can be offset a little, causing soft pictures with purple fringing at F2.8 Please note that this is not about rotation, but getting the front element EXACTLY in the centre.
For being it practically impossible to put back the front element with 100% alignment at the first try, you will need to make sample photo's and micro-adjust the placement between every photo. Key is to loosen the screws so you can just move the element a bit!
TheGreenlips 1 week ago
This is unbelievable. I was seriously considering buying this lens later this year but all the reports of this zoom ring problem have scared me off. There's no way I'd pay the huge price for such a fragile piece of cr%p. Shame on Nikon
1MeanMrMustard 2 weeks ago
Why is this lens soooooo expensive??? I don't get it is just little pieces of glass and metal $1,900 for this?? Great video Bro I'm sure you'll help thousands of people save $400 because thats what Nikon charges to repair this and this is their mistake.
jjdbest7 1 month ago
@jjdbest7 Yes it is their mistake!! Thousands have this problem I'm sure! My buddy sold this lens to another friend haha! Its still going strong with the grease and still smooth :)
jqberry7 2 weeks ago
PLease respond to Jenny's comment
Jaridb11 1 month ago
@Jaridb11 Sorry I can't find Jenny's comment?
jqberry7 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
my nikkon camera has its lens and zoom thing completely stuck and when i detached the lens from the camera i looked in the whole and theres a free peice ... idk what its suppost to be attached to .. its not broken or anything just detahced ... do you think a camera shop can eeasily repair this? im afraid they might accidently mess up the rest of the camera ... because the camera also auto focusses itself which still wrkin ... just the zoom is immovable. shld i jus take it to a shop?
jenny12jenny12 1 month ago
fuck it's like watching surgery . . . makes me sad . . .
jsr7484 1 month ago
Thanks for this video!! I just fixed mine. I thought it would be more complicated.
Klarths 2 months ago
Hi, Excellent video. I have just followed this to repair my identical lens. The only slight difference from your procedure is that you can remove the front element and the next section by removing only the lower 3 screws of the 6 (all comes out as one piece) - I used as a lubricant 3in1 white lithium grease in a spray can. I sprayed a little into the can cap then used a small artists paint brush to apply carefully to areas mentioned. Worked well for me. Lets see how long it lasts.. Thanks
Kiwiuk63 6 months ago
Hi ... useful review ... I just owned one lens like this and mine is a little bit stranger, the part of the front (optical part) that moves in and out the body's lens when you change the focal length (24-70) looks to be a little bit loose, and when I shake or move the lens around I feel something knocking, but I am getting great shots. Do your lens the same ? Thanks.
rbrunoro77 6 months ago
thank you very much~~ since i watched your video, i dismantled my 16-85 lens as you dismantling your 24-70, for cleaning mildew on the front lens. now my lens looks like a new one~~
shakemoon 7 months ago
that‘s ok
Luohannan 7 months ago
That is why people buy primes instead! I'd be so pissed off spending that amount of money on something to succomb to this.
MYTRB 8 months ago
@MYTRB Yeah I am kinda turned off getting this lens again. Update! My friend that purchased this lens has used it in the heavy rain, and even used it again tonight inside a club. It is still perfect after the grease fix, no problems at all :) My question is why can't Nikon admit they made some flaws when making this lens, its an easy fix, just lube it!
jqberry7 7 months ago
@jqberry7 Nikon services are weird... My 16-85 broke 3 weeks ago, optics are ruined and AF doesnt work. And Nikon Prague sent me this kind of mail: This happend due to lens fall... my lens is (was) few months old and it never fall down. They cant admit any of their mistakes or whatever... I am totally pissed about this. I hope that my new 24-70 wont end the same as this piece with zoom ring. Damn nikon, if they hadnt such a good class, i would turn canon again...
nishal92 7 months ago
why cant people just deal with the stiffness is it really that bad?
appacana 10 months ago
Has anyone had the problem of the front sticky cover that covers the screws becoming "unsticky"? After opening up the lens, and putting it back together, the sticky ring just doesn't stick as much as it used to anymore. I'm not sure what glue to use to stick it back! :/
gnownad 11 months ago
Oh yeah, thanks for the video btw, great help! I found that just applying grease in the three "tracks" inside the lens was sufficient to get it working smoothly enough. I almost screwed up the foils under the second element while putting it back together! Great tutorial.
gnownad 11 months ago
@gnownad I'm glad you got everything working again :) Yes samething happened to me, actually my friend that bought this lens from me, said the samething, the sticky cover isnt that smooth anymore, I would recommend use clear calking but very little of it so it wont get on the glass, OR just use a filter.
I'm not too sure what those foils do? but they must be for some kind of insulation of the Nano Glass.
jqberry7 11 months ago
Okay, Zooming works like a charm now but lens is not at all sharp anymore :(
Gonna send it to nikon...
was worth a try hah
FatlaceYogi 11 months ago
anyone know how to get a nikon lens to enable manual focus cus it is broken .
message me.. thanks
9t9t3 1 year ago
My 24-70 is now a prime lens, its zoom is soo stiff i can even turn it.
SaDScO 1 year ago
@SaDScO WOW!! Sorry to hear that :(
jqberry7 1 year ago
@jqberry7 I just got it back from nikon, and i can happy say its like brand new! I think they might have replaced the entire lens, but they only said they replaced parts. Cost a bit under 300, but I think it was well worth it since they changed my, copperish mount ring, stretched out zoom ring, entire exterior of the lens (so theres not more scuffs or bumps), both the zoom and focus ring is smooth as butter. This is probably why i will continue shooting nikon!
SaDScO 1 year ago
@SaDScO WOW!! Yeah under $300 is worth it if it seems like they replace the whole outer shell and zoom ring. Glad to hear that man :)
jqberry7 1 year ago
You're amazing! I tried it myself and it worked. Thanks
davidhilos 1 year ago
@davidhilos I'm glad it worked for you :) The trick is to use little grease first then try the zoom and apply more as you go. :)
jqberry7 1 year ago
@jqberry7 Thanks again for the tip. I hope you don't mind. Let me share some of my tricks as well.
I used a toothpick and a sharpened chopstick (sharpened just like a flat screw driver) to remove the front cover. This wooden tools are a bit safer to use
davidhilos 1 year ago
You're amazing! I tried it my self and it worked. Thanks
davidhilos 1 year ago
Wow you are brave, way to go! My lens also has some stiffness but not enough for me to want to risk slipping with the screwdriver and scratching my glass and I would also be worried about getting dust caught inside.
w4rmk 1 year ago
@w4rmk I wasnt worried about dust, everytime I took out a lens element I put it in a tupperware container. And when I put it back I just eyeballed it to make sure there was no dust, I have a rocketblower too. After all was done there is no dust inside the lens. Just remember even if there was dust or a scratch it wont affect your IQ.
jqberry7 1 year ago
Damn! your brave.how long have you had the lens? was it too expensive to take it back to nikon to get a services?i had a 17-55mm and the zoom ring was stiff as well and took it to nikon to repair they said the same thing " it had impact damage" and cost 600 pounds (1200 dollars) to get it repaired !
viperman73 1 year ago
@viperman73 Been using it for 4-5 months now. Zoom ring has a now more firmer feel to it, Like the 70-200 VR1, not as super smooth before with the stiffness, but now its doesnt get stuck anymore its just more resistance to turn since I did put more than required from the lithium grease.
I did not even bother to get a quote from Nikon I knew it was going to be expensive, so might as well just do it myself.
jqberry7 1 year ago
Damn! your brave.how long have you had the lens? was it too expensive to take it back to nikon to get a services?
viperman73 1 year ago
WHO's damn dog is that in the background? IT IS Annoying and that dog should be put to sleep.
UFOSPACE1999 1 year ago
@UFOSPACE1999 I agree with you 100% !!!!!!! that dog is not mine but it is annoying as hell!!
jqberry7 1 year ago
that was one of the most difficult things i ever had to watch!! You've got balls of steel !!!
strobaholic 1 year ago
@strobaholic I was nervous, but the zoom ring getting stuck was pissing me off, I did miss some shots because of it. It is still smooth to this day, I'm a happy camper :)
jqberry7 1 year ago
@jqberry7 I assume that the lens was out of warranty at the time you did this. I bet you saved a ton of cash
cause you d.i.y. You're good!! If you ever decide to do this again, please be sure to record and post it.
Thanks again and happy holidays.
strobaholic 1 year ago
@strobaholic Actually the lens still had warranty. I wa rejected by two nikon autorized repair centers, they both claimed I caused trama to the lens, basically saying I dropped it or damaged it. So I took matters in my own hands. I was gonna do video reviews of two lenses I got, Tokina 50-135 2.8 and Tamron 17-50 2.8, but I sold them already :( In the future I will do more video reviews, and yes Merry Christmas!
jqberry7 1 year ago
Nice1!
NebulusJones 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I am so impressed by this.
BadZav 1 year ago
so, the root cause of the zoom stiff is the original grease from Nikon somehow didn't do its job, so just add more lubricant, then that's it?
I thought the cause was some screw inside the lens just started to loose, isn't it?
mrkavin 1 year ago
@mrkavin Yes for some reason maybe there was not enough "grease" or "oil" originally applied from Nikon. That is another problem, I have read about a screw coming loose from the zoom ring under the rubber, but the symptoms of that is "locking up" or "ceasing" of the zoom ring. And I even believe it is stiff throughout the whole range 24-70. This fix is for when certain parts of the zoom ring get stiff primarily 24-35.
jqberry7 1 year ago
amazing!! great video! Thanks!
syowu 1 year ago
@syowu Welcome ! I was also "rejected" by an authorized Nikon Repair Center saying that I caused trauma to the lens.
jqberry7 1 year ago