Nikkor MF ais lens. Can anyone recommend a service place?

[brianentz]

I just picked up a 80-200 4.5 ai lens. Looks nice and a late serial number. But the slop, oh the slop. It focuses and zooms fine, but the focusing ring is so loose. When you sit it on its cap the focus/zoom ring falls right down. Klank. Annoying, mostly. I'm considering returning it (bought it on ebay from someone in Japan - I'm in california), but I got a fair deal and it looks real nice otherwise, and I'm wondering about sending it for service instead under the thinking that any lens this old is going to have something wrong.. It has a fair amount of internal dust toward the front elements. Anyone recommend someone to service a lens like this? Nikon service is a bit pricey, I'm thinking

 

[BrianShaw]

I had mine done by Authorized Camera Service. They were once in Sherman Oaks, then Woodland Hills, and I think moved somewhere in West LA. I'm not sure if they are still in existence or not. If they are, I'd go there again, but wouldn't hesitate to go to Steve's Camera in Culver City.

 

[flash26c]

They all loosen up in use; I "fixed" mine with a fat rubber bad around the barrel and focus collar. My band is yellow and is quite colorfull on the black lens.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

I had a 50-135 f3.5 that flopped around like that. I had Legacy2Digital chip it for me and while they had it a CLA done as well. A felt ring was replaced and now it's as new. Cost about $60 US as I remember.