How have Nikon's AFS type lens stood the test of time???

I recently purchased a new 28-70 afs lens and a used 80-200 afs lens.

Both are great lens'. The 80-200 is a grey market item. I understand

the drawbacks to that. With that in mind who offers the best

aftermarket service for Nikon? I once read somewhere in this forum

that there is a Nikon repair center that broke away from Nikon USA

and will fix grey items. Is there a Canadian repair center that would

repair (for a fee) a grey item? Since AFS has been out(approx 1998

or so) how reliable has the internal motor been?

Thanks in advance.

I found several Nikon repair centers that will work on grey items...

looks like APS (Morton Grove, IL) gets high praise. If needed I will

probably use them for my grey 80-200 afs.

 

I would still like to hear from folks that have had AFS type lenes

for several years. How are they holding up? ANy problems with

internal focusing motor, etc?

Actually AF-S was introduced back in 1996 around the same time as the F5. Prior to that, there were AF-I lenses also with internal AF motors since 1992. Therefore, they have been around for over a decade.

 

I bought my first AF-S lens in 1998 and currently have 7 of them. None has developed any problems so far.

August, Here in Canada, your best bet with Nikon gear is Raymond Fung in Toronto: www.winballcamera.com Cheers!

I have the following AF-S lenses: 17-35, 28-70, 70-200 (VR) and 300mm f/4. I have only had a problem with the 17-35. It started making a high pitched squeek during auto-focus. Fortunately it was a USA version, still under the 5 year warranty. I sent it to Nikon in Mellville, NY and now it works fine. Only complaint is that it took at least six weeks to get the lens back. If I were a pro, that would have been completely unacceptable.