If i were you, i will bring it to an Authorized Nikon Service Center (Check Nikon Singapore). It will not you cost a lot than buying new one.
My first photography Instructor tought me that Lense and Body Camera should have an annual maintenance 1x a year (at least) depending on usage...
I have suggestion, if Manny will permit his schedule and time,... why not set the workshop from feb 13-14-15-16, instead of Feb 6-7? It can accomodate even 4 batches of students.
Nikon is under Mitsubishi Group of companies. Mitsubishi is a giant company in japan, can produce resources easily and financially stable, this company is producing plenty of products from pen to rocket...not only cameras and lenses.
For moving objects(3D Tracking) and Sport Photography, I use AF. For Macro, Landscape, Night Shots, I use MF. Sometimes I set it in AF first then i switch to MF to enhance the focus.
Thanks. This is my first post to this forum.