Eighteen to Two Hundred VR again....

[lsisaxon]

I am willing to meet up with TS to go down to Nikon Service Center about this issue as well.

My 18 - 200 mm also has a VR issue and I really pissed too.

So if TS needs support for this case, just PM me and we can arrange a time to go down and knock on NSC and get them to ACKNOWLEDGE their design flaw. :angry:

See post number #45 where I posted about NSC's reply.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5462733&postcount=45

Jonathan welcomes anyone having an FPC problem with the lens now or in the future to contact him directly for the options. His number is (PM me for his number). So those of you having the lens, please do write this number down in case you need it. Unfortunately, Nikon has a policy that doesn't allow their staff to post in forums such as this.

Although he mentioned from statistics of the repairs they did, the problem is still seems to be isolated, I did warn him that there will probably be more cases to come when the glue they used degrades in our temperature and humidity. If the problem gets out of hand, I think Nikon JP will have to step in. My lens is now with NSC (went down during lunchtime today) and they will be sending it to HK for failure analysis. Meanwhile, they have loaned me a VR II to use.

 

[daredevil123]

See post number #45 where I posted about NSC's reply.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5462733&postcount=45

Jonathan welcomes anyone having an FPC problem with the lens now or in the future to contact him directly for the options. His number is XXXXXXXX. So those of you having the lens, please do write this number down in case you need it. Unfortunately, Nikon has a policy that doesn't allow their staff to post in forums such as this.

Although he mentioned from statistics of the repairs they did, the problem is still seems to be isolated, I did warn him that there will probably be more cases to come when the glue they used degrades in our temperature and humidity. If the problem gets out of hand, I think Nikon JP will have to step in. My lens is now with NSC (went down during lunchtime today) and they will be sending it to HK for failure analysis. Meanwhile, they have loaned me a VR II to use.

I am very glad Nikon has chosen to stand by and take care of their customers. Kudos to NSC.

Most of all thanks lsisaxon bro and all the other bros for actively staying on top of this issue and the constant effort in communicating with Nikon. Great job. I am proud to be a fellow Nikonian! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[lsisaxon]

Another Nikon user having issues with the 18-200 VR.
Damn, seems that more and more people having issues. :thumbsd:

I think my analysis of the failure cause cannot be so far off. It has to do with, 1) the way the FPC is dressed, 2) the glue which holds the flex down, 3) the clearance between the FPC and the focusing lever as it traverses over the FPC.

The way the FPC emerges from the slot would tend to lift it upwards. Don't forget that inside the slot, the FPC is a free end which has to accomodate the movement of the VR group as the lens zooms.

With the focusing lever sliding over the FPC each time the focusing distance is nearer than 1m and the very tiny clearance it has over the edge of the FPC (I think less than 0.5mm), all it takes is a slight lifting of the FPC at the edges before the focusing lever would crash into the side of the FPC when the subject is closer than 1m.

Of course the best way to mitigate this problem would be to redress the FPC on a side where there is less mechanical movement.

Another way which involves less redesign, would be to chamfer/taper the under sides of the focusing lever so that it would not present a hard crash onto the side of the FPC even if it does lift, the tapering would allow the focusing lever to comfortably slide over the edge of the FPC and pushing it downwards again. Looking at the thickness of the focusing lever, that could buy at least 1mm more of clearance over the FPC which I think would be good enough for it not to damage the FPC. In such a case, the FPC would probably fail due to the number of actuations which is more reasonable rather than prematurely due to the focusing lever crashing into it.

As far as I know NSC is all out to support the 18-200 users facing this problem. Mine happened to be an early unit. If Nikon did see my thread last year and the engineers are sensible enough, they might have modified the shape of the focusing lever when they introduced the VR II but NSC could not confirm if this has been done since they have not stripped the VR II yet. Nikon HK's reply to them has been that nothing much has changed inside the lens, but it could also be that it's implemented as a running change during the MiT run of the first version (I do hope this is the case).

Since my unit is a loan unit, I don't think it is right that I open it up to check. I trust that they might probably have to do this at their side if people are still concerned. As far as they are concerned now, the problem is still pretty much contained as there aren't many reports yet and their statistics still doesn't show anything..

For that matter, Jonathan does read this forum so he knows the issues we are facing.

 

[vince123123]

Just a small question, what does FPC stand for? I know you are referring to that flexible strip wire connection thingy, but just curiuos what it actually stands for.

 

[fatigue]

Just a small question, what does FPC stand for? I know you are referring to that flexible strip wire connection thingy, but just curiuos what it actually stands for.

Flexible Printed Cable

 

[lsisaxon]

Just a small question, what does FPC stand for? I know you are referring to that flexible strip wire connection thingy, but just curiuos what it actually stands for.

It stands for flexible printed circuit.

 

[daredevil123]

Bro, I saw another case on Flickr D90 club group.

Here is the link http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikond90club/discuss/72157617583836987/

I posted there also, pointing to your threads. But since that thread was last posted around 4 months ago (prior to me). I think no one read it.

These were quoted from the final repair notes:

The Repair note quotes a few replaced parts (GMR sensor FPC Unit,
Roller D=3.98 (twice), and SWM unit..)
Anyway, it works again.

 

[lsisaxon]

Shucks.. Didn't realise I clicked edit instead of quote to enter the posting on the update and I lost this posting..

 

[daredevil123]

The cases the international community faced more was the loose front element. It throws the focusing off such that the lens could not focus to infinity. I'm suspecting that the might not be facing this situation because the climate is drier and cooler. Glue tends to expand a little due to heat and worsens with humidity.

I updated my post with some of the repair notes. First thing they replaced was the FPC Unit. Is it related?

 

[fatigue]

It stands for flexible printed circuit.

Oops :embrass:

Well, looks like it's a damaged FFC (Flat Flexible Cable)
FPC (Flat Printed Circuit) are those cables with components soldered in it

 

[lsisaxon]

Oops :embrass:

Well, looks like it's a damaged FFC (Flat Flexible Cable)
FPC (Flat Printed Circuit) are those cables with components soldered in it

FPC is a general term because the process is the same. It's just whether they put components on it. They could if there's a need.

 

[chewed]

Perhaps you really miss it.. the AF/MF switch of the AFD 80-200 F2.8 is made of plastic. The part where it is famous for the "self crack" is near to the button where the plastic ring is holding to the AF/MF lever by a tiny screw.

may i ask how old is your 80-200?

my line of work deals with plastic. AFAIC, irregardless what grade, plastic and rubber will hardened over time and will break.

i think anything over 5 years will be at risk.

 

[fatigue]

may i ask how old is your 80-200?

my line of work deals with plastic. AFAIC, irregardless what grade, plastic and rubber will hardened over time and will break.

i think anything over 5 years will be at risk.

I wonder how long will those plastic mount lens last.

 

[baggiolee]

hmmm...not sure if my 18-55mm VR len has those problems. cuz it sometimes just refuse to auto forcus on the person, no matter which part of the person i aim.

 

[lsisaxon]

hmmm...not sure if my 18-55mm VR len has those problems. cuz it sometimes just refuse to auto forcus on the person, no matter which part of the person i aim.

No, I don't think the 18-55 has this problem. The construction is totally different. If the lighting is poor or there isn't much feature for it to focus, you will not be able to get a lock.

If you still have problems focusing, you might also want to check if any part of the optical path to the AF sensor might be dirty.

 

[lsisaxon]

I wonder how long will those plastic mount lens last.

I think should last quite a while if you don't expose the mount side under strong sunlight for a prolonged period of time.. Just don't ask me to do an accelerated test on my 18-55VR. ;p

 

[lsisaxon]

Update of the 18-200VR II loaned to me.

First impressions... Just an added zoom lock to lock the lens at 18mm for carrying around. I think it's no big deal but it's useful on trips where you don't have to worry about the lens extending out. Downside is I keep forgetting to unlock it. So since I'm not travelling now, I don't bother to use the lock but it may come useful.

Image tests... I think the corners are very slightly better than the MiJ VR I was using, especially at the problematic focal lengths 24mm and 35mm but it may be just set to set variation.

The VR unit seem different because now there is a louder click sound when it's activated and another click when deactivated. The image doesn't 'jump' though, so it doesn't bother me. The zzztzzztztttzt sound when the VR is active is softer. My MiJ copy didn't have the click sound upon activation but went clack clack clack and the image jumps up and down upon deactivation when the FPC was damaged.. My dad's MiT copy of the VR I made the same click sound upon activation and deactivation so I guess it's normal.

My guess is that the MiJ production version may have been used to evaluate and improve the lens and manufacturing process before transferring to Thailand. I guess that might have been the price to pay as an early adopter but I get to use it first.. Hah!

And lastly, nope, I didn't open the lens up, but focusing feels smoother than my MiJ version (I am so used to the MiJ version I know how it feels like). It feels more like the MiT copy that was with my dad. I brought that to HK Disneyland last Oct when my MiJ copy was in NSC. I think this VR II is slightly smoother than the MiT VR I but I may be wrong. I'll need to get the MiT VR I from my dad to do a side by side but it's definitely smoother and quieter than my MiJ VR I.

Will put up more findings on the VR II when I have time to do further tests.

 

[xtemujin]

I've just received my repair quote as my zoom is a bit jammed when in the middle.

The quote was $341.25 and have to wait for three weeks as there is no spare parts.

Last year, 2008, the SWM died, repair was $246.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4120800&postcount=72

I'm not sure what will the fault be for the year 2010. It looks like every year, I've to send the 18-200mm for servicing.

 

[lsisaxon]

I've just received my repair quote as my zoom is a bit jammed when in the middle.

The quote was $341.25 and have to wait for three weeks as there is no spare parts.

Last year, 2008, the SWM died, repair was $246.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4120800&postcount=72

I'm not sure what will the fault be for the year 2010. It looks like every year, I've to sent the 18-200mm for servicing.

See what Jonathan can do for you... sigh.. A lens at this kind of price should last at least 5 years without problems. Mine went in last year twice. So this is 3rd time already. The last time it died within a month after the first fix but still under the warranty.

 

[vince123123]

Maybe its time to start a collective action in the small claims tribunal