Tune up for old lens

The 18-55mm kit lens on my 10-year old D60 is starting to show its age. The Zoom ring is a little tight and the focus motor is sounding like me on an early morning. It's a kit lens, but I swear by it - always gave good sharp pictures. It's an AF-S lens that I've nicknamed the Canonball 'cuz it's so huge.

Anyway, are there places out there that tune up old lenses? If not, I may just take it to my neighborhood bike shop.

As cheap as these lenses are you would probably be better off buying a new one.

Just looked at B&H. They have the 18-55, depending on VR or not, from $197, to $247. It would cost over $100 for any repair or "tune up". Agree 100% with Don.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/sear...on+fct_lens-format-coverage_3332|aps-c-lenses

You can get a used one at KEH for as little as $84

https://www.keh.com/shop/nikon-18-5...MIo9363bnW2AIV0IKzCh1O8wdfEAYYAyABEgK26PD_BwE

pendennis said:

Just looked at B&H. They have the 18-55, depending on VR or not, from $197, to $247. It would cost over $100 for any repair or "tune up". Agree 100% with Don.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/sear...on+fct_lens-format-coverage_3332|aps-c-lenses

Click to expand...

So there are places that do tune ups and repairs. Honestly I did consider just replacing the lens, but assumed a tune up would be way cheaper.

Don - thanks for the KEH link.

https://usedphotopro.com/products/u...5-5-6-g-vr-dx-lens-afs-153883?source=category

Robert's Camera has it for $76, in Excellent condition, Free shipping, and a 6 month warranty

FredKingston said:

https://usedphotopro.com/products/u...5-5-6-g-vr-dx-lens-afs-153883?source=category

Robert's Camera has it for $76, in Excellent condition, Free shipping, and a 6 month warranty

Click to expand...

Now we're talkin'!

To be honest, I need another 18-55mm like a hole in the head. (I have an AF-S and an AF-P) But Used Photo Pro has an 18-70 f3.5-4.5 for about the same price. Might as well do that and breathe a little life into that old box.

Thanks all!

Classified said:

Now we're talkin'!

To be honest, I need another 18-55mm like a hole in the head. (I have an AF-S and an AF-P) But Used Photo Pro has an 18-70 f3.5-4.5 for about the same price. Might as well do that and breathe a little life into that old box.

Thanks all!

Click to expand...

I have the 18-70mm lens and it is a great little lens. I would go for this over the 18-55 for any where near close to the same price.

I thought I'd post an update, after I ordered the 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 lens.

First of all, Used Photo Pro gets pretty high marks from me. I picked up this glass for a song and it came in the mail in great shape.

This lens is a nice improvement over the 18-55. At 18mm, the field of view isn't very flat, but that doesn't bother me particularly since it's easy to fix. The rest of the focal range shoots fine.



I did a short walk around with the lens on my D60 and it feels like brand new compared to my old lens. When my neighbor's dog tried tried to chime in on my activity I got a shot of him over the wall. Nice shallow depth of field for a lens that only goes to f3.5.