jeweler53

I just acquired a used Nikon AF Nikkor 24-50mm AF D lens. I think I'm going to like it, but it has one (hopefully minor) problem. The focus ring has some "slop". It focuses quickly and accurately on my Df, but at all distances there is a bit of "play". The focus ring will move in and out a couple of mm at any focusing distance. I am hoping someone here has some knowledge of the inner workings of the lens and might have a suggestion as to what might be wrong. I have the tools and probably the skills to disassemble and reassemble the lens, having repaired watches and clocks. I know I can send it in to have it professionally repaired, but am not willing to spend a lot of money on a lens I only spend $40 for.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Consider for $5.00 a lens Band

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=zoom%20lens%20bands&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Or a small piece of gaff tape

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

I have the same lens and the Df, they work fine together. I really don't understand what did you mean "slop" & "play", did you mean "focus hunting"?

jeweler53

No, there is no focus hunting at all. I usually use a single focus point so I can control exactly what is in the sharpest plane of focus. This lens seems to find that point nearly instantly and is very accurate. The front element of the lens (the element that moves when focusing) will move forward and backward about 1.25 mm in any position. Since the total range of the focusing element is about 3.5 mm the 1.25 mm is fairly significant. I don't know if it will matter in actual usage, but if I point the lens down and focus at a given distance and then point the lens up the focus distance changes (without me activating the focus) because the front element moves. I hope this is more descriptive.

jeweler53

No, there is no focus hunting at all. I usually use a single focus point so I can control exactly what is in the sharpest plane of focus. This lens seems to find that point nearly instantly and is very accurate. The front element of the lens (the element that moves when focusing) will move forward and backward about 1.25 mm in any position. Since the total range of the focusing element is about 3.5 mm the 1.25 mm is fairly significant. I don't know if it will matter in actual usage, but if I point the lens down and focus at a given distance and then point the lens up the focus distance changes (without me activating the focus) because the front element moves. I hope this is more descriptive.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

Are the images came out all good and in focus? If so, why do you worry about that, since you only paid $40! If you point the lens down and focus on a object, then move up to other point that you need to refocus again, that's normal. You can try this, remove the lens from the camera, try manually turn the focus ring to activate the front element, after it's extended and hold the front element and try to "Pull or Push" the element and the same time holding the focus ring to make sure it doesn't turn.If the element moves when you 'push or pull' then you may have loose gear assembly in the lens. Good Luck! By the way this lens is well built (Made in Japan, not from China or Thailand) mostly metal. very close my other pro lens 35-70mm AF-D f2.8.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Just did a quick Google search for reviews. If that’s all the play you’re getting, it may be within factory specs (one guy says he returned two [new] before finding out that they all had wobbly focus rings). It’s said to be mostly plastic, though I suspect the screws and bayonet mount are probably metal.