VR “broken” on Nikon 18-200 DX VR

[RayP]

I’ve registered here to get some expert advice from fellow Nikon users.

I’ve had my Mk 1 18-200 DX VR lens since 2007. I’m not a frequent photographer but have been doing it for over 50 years.

The lens started on a D70 then D90 and finally a D7100. In all that time things have been fine until I noticed a shot taken in poor November light had camera shake. That’s unusual.

I’ve discovered VR isn’t working. So I bought a used replacement from a British company MPB. It arrived today and I’m sorry to say VR isn’t working on it either. I’ve reported it to MPB.

Is this common with Nikon lenses? Does VR eventually fail and if so can it be repaired? The money I’ve spent on this replacement could go towards a repair if you think that’s a sensible move. I know it’s 18 years old but remains in very good condition and has never been dropped which might have caused damage.

Thanks.
Ray.

 

[Needa]

Welcome!

As you didn’t post an image with EXIF and you mentioned low light as a reminder at 200 MM using the inverse formula assuming 3 stops of VR you should have a minimum shutter speed or 1/60 -1/70 and some believe that number should be 1/100 because it is a DX camera. This of course individual and technique sensitive.

One thing I’ve noticed is cleaning the lens mount and connections plus the body mount and connections seems to improve both VR and AF performance. That said it is definite possible for the VR to fail it is a moving part. It won't most likely be repaired by Nikon repair, too old, but check. If Nikon won't you will need to source a shop able and willing to do the repair.

 

[RayP]

@Needa , thank for your reply. I’m not sure what EXIF is.

I have tried with very slow shutter speeds of 1/30th so I’m sure VR should be kicking in.
Cleaning the connections is interesting. I’ve never done that all the time I’ve had both body and lens.

I have some lens cleaning spray for spectacles and my iPad. Is that suitable? Apply with a cotton bud?

 

[RayP]

Ah, EXIF is the metadata. I’ve provi a link below which hopefully includes all relevant data. 125th @ f8 with a small zoom should not exhibit shake.

I gave a Nikon 200-500 and VR on that is fine.

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[BF Hammer]

Two different lenses with the same failure on the same camera body? Have you looked at the lens AI pins on the body yet? Can you get access to another body to test the lens on?

 

[Needa]

I have some lens cleaning spray for spectacles and my iPad. Is that suitable? Apply with a cotton bud?

I use DeoxIT D5 spray it some on a micro fiber cloth and wipe the mounts and contacts.

Looking at your image I would say your shutter speed is to low (1/25) for the moving boat and people. If you look at the first upright of the fence it show no camera shake. Also the fog will also affect the sharpness and contrast of the image.

 

[RayP]

Two different lenses with the same failure on the same camera body? Have you looked at the lens AI pins on the body yet? Can you get access to another body to test the lens on?

Another body would be difficult. But my rarely used 200-500 is absolutely fine. VR kicks in immediately. That suggests the body is okay.

 

[BF Hammer]

Ah, EXIF is the metadata. I’ve provi a link below which hopefully includes all relevant data. 125th @ f8 with a small zoom should not exhibit shake.

I gave a Nikon 200-500 and VR on that is fine.

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

First of all, your post-processing is stripping off the EXIF information. I do not see any of your camera settings, and also important I do not see the focus point used. The photo is also heavily compressed so that hurts seeing what is sharp and what is not.

So with that, I pixel-peeped the best I can and here is where I think the focal plane is set at.

You may be focused well behind the boat. There is motion from the boat and the walkers on the path that cannot be compensated for with VR. The fence rails appear to show a very narrow depth of field that spans the front rails and goes out of focus more deeper into the photo, which is most of the photo. Since the photo has so much compression, I cannot judge the sharpness fairly. But I don't think there is much camera shake showing in that front set of rails.

 

[RayP]

I use DeoxIT D5 spray it some on a micro fiber cloth and wipe the mounts and contacts.

Looking at your image I would say your shutter speed is to low (1/25) for the moving boat and people. If you look at the first upright of the fence it show no camera shake. Also the fog will also affect the sharpness and contrast of the image.

It’s 125th @f8, not 1/25th. At f8 even in low light I would expect the detail on the path to be sharp.

 

[RayP]

@BF Hammer , thanks for your post. It is the original NEF image with no compression. I’ll see if I can attach the metadata file.

But that aside, partially depressing the shutter release should initiate VR shouldn’t it? Extensive tests today in cloudy conditions with slow (1/30th) shutter speed should force it. But it doesn’t.

To my original question. Is VR reliable over many years? Autofocus is fine. Why isn’t CR?

 

[Needa]

First of all, your post-processing is stripping off the EXIF information. I do not see any of your camera settings, and also important I do not see the focus point used. The photo is also heavily compressed so that hurts seeing what is sharp and what is not.

From his NEF file.

 

[BF Hammer]

@BF Hammer , thanks for your post. It is the original NEF image with no compression. I’ll see if I can attach the metadata file.

But that aside, partially depressing the shutter release should initiate VR shouldn’t it? Extensive tests today in cloudy conditions with slow (1/30th) shutter speed should force it. But it doesn’t.

To my original question. Is VR reliable over many years? Autofocus is fine. Why isn’t CR?

What I downloaded to my PC to view had a .jpeg extension, so Dropbox must be converting and adding the compression.

VR is an electro-mechanical thing, so anything mechanical can fail. I have not personally experienced this. It's just that from a distance like I am, there is no further way to help you. Personally I cannot even see a shaky hand problem in that photo due to the other technical issues. And that is what VR is for, to fix our shaky hands. It won't fix fog, missed focus, or motion of objects in the photo.

 

[RayP]

@Needa , ah, it was 1/25th, not 1/125th. That would explain the camera shake. But isn’t that where VR would kick in?

@BF Hammer , having determined the shutter speed was 1/25th that would explain the shaky image. I turned quickly and just shot with minimal composure.

VR failing on two lenses is very odd. I appreciate you can’t assist without being here. Let’s see what the selling company say.

 

[RayP]

Before I bought my first Nikon around 20 years ago I had an Olympus OM-2 with various Zuiko lenses. It never failed on me in more than 20 years of use. No AF, no VR. Just simple reliable cameras. All this technology just makes things less reliable even from top companies.

 

[Needa]

You might find this an interesting read https://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/lens-articles/lens-technique/all-about-nikon-vr.html

 

[RayP]

I’ve remembered a friend who has the D7500 so I’m going to his on Monday and we can check VR on my original 18-200 and the one just purchased.

That way I can determine if my D7100 body is the problem or the lenses. I still feel it’s the lenses and the one I bought second hand hasn’t been properly checked. It also explains why it was traded in.

 

[RayP]

I’m just back home from visiting my mate in Chorley, Lancashire. M6 motorway mad busy near M58 with people heading to Liverpool for tour of City by the Premier League Champions.

We tried my existing 18-200 plus the newly acquired one from MPB. VR doesn’t work on his D7500 body. So both lenses are the problem, not my D7100.

Then we tried his 80-200 Nikon VR on my D7100 and it was fine. That rules out my camera.

I’ll give this info to MPB when they contact me. There’s a 18-200 Mk2 in excellent condition that I’m happy to buy but I’ll insist MPB ensure VR is working before dispatch. I suspect they didn’t check VR on the one I purchased before accepting it.

 

[Silversnapper]

I recently bought a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro OS HSM from MPB and I noticed that there was a definite 'clunk' as the stabilisation system in the lens disengaged after taking a shot.

I contacted emailed Nikon Support to ask them if this was normal, they replied and told me that this was not normal and that it indicated that failure could be imminent.

I reported this problem to MPB, together with a copy of the Nikon email, and requested either a working replacement lens - after they checked to make sure the replacement was ok, or a refund of monies.

MPB replied and asked me to return the faulty lens and, upon them verifying the problem, said that they would send me a replacement lens. This replacement lens was higher in their conditions rating and commanded a higher price but would be sent at no further cost to me. From start to finish, the whole process to just over seven days and the replacement I received was certainly a better lens.

I have bought from MPB numerous times over the years and this was my first problem with a purchase. It was sorted to my satisfaction in an acceptable time.

I hope this helps with your issue @RayP

 

[RayP]

@Silversnapper , thank you for posting your experience. Much appreciated and it gives me hope my situation will be resolved to my satisfaction.

Whilst I was at my mates we has a play with some film SLRs from the 70s. A Practika and early Canon. Today’s cameras are so much more advanced. But with film you really had to think before pressing that button.

 

[Silversnapper]

I hope you get satisfaction.
I'm still shooting and processing film after 60 years, 35mm up to 5x4inch, and I still love it although it is only B&W these days as colour is way out of my financial reach now.