boxmom
Boxer Insane
I was having issues with my camera last weekend, wouldn't focus, shutter timing was off and white balance was goofy. Took it into Nikon shop and turns out it was my 18 month old 18-200mm dx lens causing the troubles. The motor in the lens went bad and had to be replaced. I was glad it was not my d300, which got a tune up and cleaning while at the shop anyway. Got it back and everything works great again. Just wondering if anyone else has had problems with the dx lenses. All my other lenses are older nikons and they are built like tanks. I really love this 18-200 lens and hope it does not blow motors every 18 months.
More likely, I think, it is relevant to look at the overall build quality and price point of the lens (which has nothing to do with being for dx sensors, or being a zoom versus prime - there are similarly built lenses in all those categories). As a general rule, more expensive the lens, the better the build quality (rough rule only, of course - it's easy to think of exceptions). And along with that better build quality comes weight... What you gain in lower price and weight with the 18-200, you're losing in build quality. The alternative would be a lens costing substantially more... It isn't a "cheap" lens, by any means. But it is a very long way from the top end also.
. It seems all the "digital" lenses that Nikon makes are the same lighter plastic type. I guess I am just wondering if they are prone to breaking down. You make good points about the price and quality. I was hesitant when I got this lens (it was packaged with the camera at considerable savings) because I thought it felt cheap. I was quite surprised that I liked it so much after using it, and it performs very well (up until the motor broke). I did not buy the extended warranty, but the repair shop is a customer of mine-- they are always good to me and I get my stuff back right away. Thank you for your input.