cameron_price Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 Hey guys. I'm picking up a broken Nikon 18-70 DX lens from someone for $25. The lens still autofocuses and meters with DSLR bodies properly, but it won'tzoom past 24 mm or so. I'm planning on picking up this lens, since it'srelatively inexpensive, and trying to repair it myself. If I mess it up, it'snot too bad of a loss in my opinion. Is anyone aware of how to fix this problem(I've read on the web that it's a single loose screw), or know of any websitesthat give step-by-step instructions on how to take apart lenses and put themback together (pictures would be a great benefit!). Thanks everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_kartes Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 The screw to tighten is under the zoom rubber, do not take apart the lens side that attaches to the camera. Remove the rubber band for the zoom, then the one screw underneath, you can expand the lens from there and will see three screws, one will probably be loose. It takes more time to get the plastic collar lined up and to reassemble more than anything. Write if you have a question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angus1 Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 Cameron, I have a similar problem with an 18-70: was tromping through a refuge in Florida, apparently got some sand or grit in the focusing mechanism; hence it STICKS when I'm trying to frame and requires extra wrestling to get it to open up. I cdn't bring myself to send it in, so my solution was.... buy a nikon 17-55 f2.8! Still, that "wounded" 18-70 sits sorrowful atop my file cabinet, waiting for laying on of hands-- skilled hands and tools -- to heal it and make it usable again! So I join you in asking of same lens: What to do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tholte Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 Ken, my 18-70 has been stuck at 70 for over a year. Nikon wanted too much to fix it ($200) so it has been sitting on the shelf. I am going to try your method and see what happens. Thanks for the information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 The problem with taking a lens apart is that once the elements are out of position, you should use special tools to adjust the alignment. If not, it could be soft in the entire range. But considering that your cost is $25, you don't have much to lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_kartes Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 Tim, make sure you have a good set of phillips screwdrivers. Slide a thin small screwdriver blade under the zoom rubber and then work it off the lens. Then remove the one screw, it has a shaft that goes through the collar and into the main body of the lens. From there you will see some of the workings, you have to get the collars up towards the front element, extend the lens as if you were zooming to 70mm. From there there are three screws with some form of locktite on them, one (hopefully) will be loose, retighten, put a dab of locktite and reassemble. Re assembly was the toughest part, I kept trying to do it the same way over and over, finally retried a different way and it worked, tried it so many times I forget now how I did it though. Seems that I worked it all around the outer glass element and the outer element with collars lined up back to the rear portion of the assembly. Using the outer screw/pin as a reference for reassembly helped. If you have a point and shoot you can take photos for reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_kartes Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 Correct Shun, but the procedure I described doesn't impact alignments. I would give the inner area an air blast before reassembly as well Tim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tachion Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 I did the exact same thing as Ken K. I also had a little trouble getting the front element back on. The trick was to get the correct orientation of the zoom mechanism, so that you can slide it back on and get the full zoom range. Sorry, I didn't take photos of the procedure. Afterwards, the zoom was sharp again as ever before, throughout the entire zoom range, and now with a little less dust inside (since I blew this out before reassembly.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_kartes Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 Glad it worked out for you Tachion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameron_price Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 Hey guys. I'm having a heck of a time finding these screws when I move the zoom ring and zoom collar up towards the front element, after removing the rubber zoom ring and the single screw found underneath it. The problem is that the zoom ring and zoom collar won't move very far towards the front element; and the thread that the zoom ring screws onto (it is roughly at the middle point of the lens, and it forms a perimeter around the entire lens) won't budge. I found a picture at this following link of what, I believe, the screws I should be targeting, but I just can't get to them. Help? http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=281485 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tumble2113 Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I would be curious how you make out as well I have similar have an issue with the same lens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_kartes Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Cam, that link is a nightmare come true. You do not need to take apart the lens rear portion to tighten the three cam screws. The lens should zoom out far enough once you have the two collars disengaged to have access to the cam screws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_kartes Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 The screwdriver is pointed at the correct screw, one of the three. you can see the cast block to the left and down, that is where the screw that hold the collars in place goes into. You can judge the distance from there. The lens will expand to expose the cam screws, I suppose you could disassemble the lens as shown in the pics but it is several more steps and then you are handling the electronics as well. Personally I would not be placing electronics on a piece of aluminum foil as shown in one of the photos at the link you provided.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_k6 Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 <p>Ken, thanks for supplying a repair solution to the Nikon 18-70mm zoom problem. My lens had been loose for some time, and after a motorcycle ride in northern New Mexico it finally jammed and would not go wider than ~24mm. I found the other posting (on another site) for repairing the lens by removing the mount and disassembling most of the parts to get to the zoom mount screws! Your method took me ~20 mins and the lens works well (still as sharp as when it was new).<br /> <br /> I do have a question: what lube would be recommended for the zoom mechanism? I presume it should be somewhat immune to temperature changes; won't run off when warm or stiffen up when cold. As I said the lens works well but the zoom is a bit stiff.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_kartes Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 <p>I would contact a camera shop for an answer to that. Using a lube that is not recommended could ruin the lens. Vapors from a lube not intended for lenses could haze or damage the glass. If you find one that is recommended please pass on the information here, good luck.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_martinson Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 <p>I found this forum today because I've had the same problem with my 18-70. Thanks to the help and direction I found here, it took me 20 min. to get to the loose cam screw and tighten it. Not only did that get rid of the annoying wobble I've had with the front assembly, but my zoom now works full range again. My lens is fully functional, except when zooming out to 18mm it bottoms out with about a 1mm gap between the flange on the front assembly and the zoom barrel. I'm going to disassemble it again to figure out why, but I wanted the best lubricant available to apply before re-assembly. I came across this link which might prove helpful:<br /> http://www.apug.org/forums/forum65/36021-helicoid-lubrication.html<br /> There is a mix of opinions but you'll get the idea.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_k6 Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 <p>I managed to get a tiny amount of lube from the local camera repair guy. It is Nikon helical grease, part #3650914a, and he said a 1/2 oz is a lifetime supply!<br> You can find the direct link to Micro-Tools, a company that sells camera tools and other supplies here:<br> http://www.micro-tools.com/store/SearchByCategory.aspx?CategoryCode=LUB<br> Best of luck all...<br> -David</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_martinson Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 <p>The best I could do was a tube of lith grease from Princess Auto that cost me $1.99. I bought it, but I can't bring myself to apply it to lens parts. My trouble is I have no idea where to start looking for the right stuff in the Vancouver area. I'll try Camtex or Brighouse.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_kartes Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 <p>Tom if you use the wrong stuff you could damage the lens forever. I would folow David K's lead on the Nikon grease or call a repair center. You can try these guys, they are down to part time now but have always done good honest work for me and answered questions.<br> http://maps.google.com/maps?source=ig&hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=classic+camera+repair+biddeford&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&view=text&lr=lang_en&latlng=13373777723036138479&ei=RBPdSeHFFIvWNcTRzbgK&sig2=kttpJI8dWzvQVpbU-gJ8bA&dtab=0&oi=&sa=X">http://maps.google.com/maps?source=ig&hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=classic+camera+repair+biddeford&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&view=text&lr=lang_en&latlng=13373777723036138479&ei=RBPdSeHFFIvWNcTRzbgK&sig2=kttpJI8dWzvQVpbU-gJ8bA&dtab=0&oi=&sa=X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_k6 Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 <p>Micro-Tools sells a number of lubes for cameras and lenses. I'd check that possibility out before I put some inexpensive grease from the auto parts store on the inside of a lens.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prio_adhi_setiawan Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 <p>Ken, thanks for your great advice, but I still have no success with this broken 18-70 Nikkor. Mine was stuck at 35mm and could not be zoomed more than that... That's why it's a bit difficult to find these 3 screws ..<br> I thought they could be hidden somewhere since the lens could not zoom at the longest focal length.<br> Do you have any clue?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_kartes Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 <p>Take some pics and post them here so I and others can see where you are with it Prio.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
braden_g Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 <p >I disassembled mine and found the same loose screw and put it all back together and the zoom works better than ever. It now makes a high pitched (squeak) sound while focusing and it seems like the focusing might be a little bit slower than before, but it works fine. Any ideas for eliminating the squeak? Lube? </p> <p ></p> <p >Braden</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irv_s Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 <p>Thanks Ken K for posting about the fix. I had similar problems with the rough/jammed zoom and I tried your recommended fix and it worked well for me. I took some pictures and roughly noted the steps I took so I can pay it forward for others who might have similar problems.<br> http://irvdabird.multiply.com/journal/item/2/Nikon_AF-S_DX_Zoom-NIKKOR_18-70mm_DIY_Fix</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_kartes Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 <p>Sounds like a gear Braden. An alignment issue, lube won't fix it, but could make it worse.</p> <p>Irv, I am glad to see your post on the procedures you took to correct your lens. I am sure others will use your information themselves. Nice work.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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