Micro Nikkor 105mm, F2.8 ais - Stiff focusing issues….

JDR · Nov 13, 2021

Hi all,
I just acquired a Micro Nikkor 105 lens via eBay that was advertised as excellent+++!! The lens arrived yesterday, looks good cosmetically and optically. No balsam, separation, fungus and very little dust. I was thrilled…….until I turned the focusing ring. It is stiff and resistance varies as I attempt to focus as if the lens barrel is out of round. The focus lock seems functional and I’ve made sure it’s disengaged.

I paid about $200 for it and currently have a message into seller. I’m assuming a CLA will be somewhere around another $100. Only risk is if there is something more than dried up lubricant.

Any and all input is appreciated..

Thanks,

JDR

Kino · Nov 13, 2021

$200? Return it immediately. The seller can legitimately refuse a partial refund request and drag any arbitration out for a long time.

If the seller pushes back on the first email, immediately file a "item not as described" complaint through Ebay; don't wait or you loose your protection.

This is NOT a rare lens and good examples are relatively easy to find.

gone · Nov 13, 2021

I think making a filing that the item was not as described is a good idea, along w/ contacting the seller, but I would wait a day or two to see what your seller says about it first. Maybe they're not camera folks, and just looked at the cosmetics and assumed all was well w/ everything else. eBay has it's creeps, but 99% of the time I've found that a courteous email works. You'll probably be wanting to return it and get a better lens, as that way you only lose money on the shipping, which won't be too bad.

4season · Nov 13, 2021

I had exactly that sort of trouble with a 55/2.8 AI-S Micro-Nikkor, and it was dried grease. I speculate that the factory used a lighter-weight grease which didn't age real well. Not a difficult fix as lenses go, but a little bit messy.

Kino · Nov 13, 2021

I am not saying to be mean about it. Yes it could be an oversight, but if you don't get a message back really soon, file the "item not as described" complaint. If you wait too long and the seller turns out to be less than honorable, you risk loosing your refund to a long Ebay squabble.

That is top-dollar for that lens; it should be flawless and you shouldn't have to do a thing to it.

Besides, rating something that high with such obvious problems raises red flags. If you know enough to rate it, you know it's not that good...

JDR · Nov 13, 2021

Thanks to all for the input. I messaged the seller on Friday and and want to give him a chance. If not I’ll reach out to eBay by midweek. Hopefully I it is just an oversight.

Nicholas Lindan · Nov 13, 2021

I have found Nikkors, if left unused for a long time, develop stiff and lumpy focusing. Running the focus in and out for a dozen or so times usually resolves the problem.

beemermark · Nov 13, 2021

Very common problem on the 55/2.8 & 105/2.8 micros. I have both, both are frozen. I used the 1-5 frequently and in less than a week it went from easy to focus to impossible to turn. I was quoted $75 for repair 2 years ago from a Nikon Authorized repair service. The lenses have very tight tolerances and whatever grease Nikon used turns to super clue. Get your money back.

BrianShaw · Nov 13, 2021

How old is it… 40 years? Not an unusual condition for a lens that old unless it has been serviced in the past decade or so.

Sirius Glass · Nov 13, 2021

.

Welcome to ~~APUG~~ Photrio!!

JDR · Nov 13, 2021

Nicholas Lindan said:
I have found Nikkors, if left unused for a long time, develop stiff and lumpy focusing. Running the focus in and out for a dozen or so times usually resolves the problem.

Have tried that already. Regrettably, it didn’t help…JDR

madNbad · Nov 13, 2021

About six years ago I bought a new old stock 105 2.8 Micro Ai-S. It arrived nestled in styrofoam and sill wrapped in the plastic from the factory. It needed service because after thirty years of sitting on a warehouse shelf the lubricants as dried out and the focusing was stiff and jumpy. After service it really was like having a new lens.

4season · Nov 13, 2021

Nicholas Lindan said:
I have found Nikkors, if left unused for a long time, develop stiff and lumpy focusing. Running the focus in and out for a dozen or so times usually resolves the problem.

In the case of the 55/2.8 AI-S that doesn't work so good because there are multiple focusing helicoids involved (floating lens elements!).

JDR · Nov 14, 2021

Hi all,
The seller did get back to me promptly, apologized for the issue and offered to pay for the repair or let me return it. I’m electing to return it for the purchase price plus shipping back to him.

BrianShaw · Nov 14, 2021

That’s a great response and a good decision.

Sirius Glass · Nov 14, 2021

I have found that when one purchase does not work out, the next one for the same item turns out to be a great purchase.

Kino · Nov 14, 2021

JDR said:
Hi all,
The seller did get back to me promptly, apologized for the issue and offered to pay for the repair or let me return it. I’m electing to return it for the purchase price plus shipping back to him.

That's a great outcome and the proper response from the seller. Good.

JDR · Nov 23, 2021

Just want to say thanks for everyone’s input. I ended up receiving a refund thru eBay at the sellers request, stating the lens was significantly different than advertised. Received my refund for the entire amount including shipping.

I’ll keep looking for a Micro Nikkor 105 ais, but will make do with my 55mm f 3.5 ai till then.

Micro Nikkor 105mm, F2.8 ais - Stiff focusing issues….

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