Carnpo Loc: North Carolina

The zoom band on my Nikon 17-55 F2.8 DX lens is loose and slips when adjusting Zoom. Looking for suggestions on how to repair. Or will a new band (if I can buy one be tight after installing it)?

Does anyone own one of these lens or do I have the only one ever sold? I purchased it when I upgraded from D70 to D200 and continued use with D300 and now D500. When I purchased it I paid $1300. Last time I looked at Nikon site I was still listed with a MSRP of $1500. I consider it my normal lens so I will continue to use it.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Haven't bought yet, but found the rings online. Cheap, even for OEM. Same thing happened just recently to my Nikon 24-120 F4.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Excellent lens!
Pro DX lens... the best DX zoom.
Mine isn’t loose, but good to know it can be fixed.

khorinek

I've replaced my rubber zoom ring on my 24-70. Replacements shouldn't be hard to find.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Lens-Zoom-Rubber-Grip-Ring-For-Nikon-AF-S-DX-Nikkor-17-55mm-f-2-8-G-ED-IF/400903096123?hash=item5d57afc73b:g:Mp4AAOSw9Q9bfJ-H

Carnpo Loc: North Carolina

Thanks for the info. Have ordered a new one.

DoriguzziPA

Here's what I did to fix it.

Buy some double-sided Scotch tape, cut into lengths about 2 inches longer than the rubber ring's width (4 will do the trick). Slide a couple of LONG toothpicks under the ring about 3/4" apart. Pull the backing off of one side of the tape and, with the sticky side facing the lens barrel, slide it under the ring so that most of the tape sticks out of 1 end. Press down to stick the tape to the barrel. Using a small razor knife, separate the remaining tape backing on the long end and shove it under the rubber ring so you can pull it out the other end (you may try using a third toothpick and regular tape to help PULL the backing out from under the ring). Remove all the toothpicks. Press down so the tape sticks to barrel and ring. You may want to modify the lengths of the tape pieces to suit the ring width you have on your lens.

Repeat 3 more times.

It's really not as hard as it sounds. Just think about the double-sided tape. Did mine 3 years ago and it still 'stuck' down good.

Cheaper than the new ring, faster then waiting for the mail, and more fun.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Awesome tip! Thanks

BJ in OKla Loc: No Water Oklahoma

I had that problem with my Nikon 80-200 F-2.8..
I put tooth picks under the rubber, to raise the rubber up,
then used a match to smear some Elmer's rubber cement under the rubber, I went all the way around.
then pulled out the tooth picks, the rubber gets bigger, I used some big rubber bands in 3 places. make sure that you get the rubber in place..Worked for me.
Bj

DoriguzziPA

I had thought about that also. Glad to see that it works.

Bill P

Just remember, Elmer's Rubber Cement isn't meant to be a permanent bond.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Just to clarify... are you referring to the rubber "grip" on the zoom ring being loose? Or is it the zoom ring itself that's "sloppy" and loose?

If it's just the rubber grip that's gotten loose, it might be possible to solve the problem simply by putting a couple dabs of rubber cement under it. If you do that, slide the rubber ring off and look for blank areas of the zoom ring itself, to put the glue. Often those zoom rings have access holes to adjusting or assembly screws. Don't get the glue in those.

In some cases, double-stick tape may work better than rubber cement. That comes in different thicknesses... Thin stuff for things like scrap-booking versus thicker stuff used to attach automotive trim.

If the rubber grip is damaged or just "stretched" to the point it's too loose for gluing or taping, look online for replacements.

EDIT: I just did a quick "rubber grip Nikkor 17-55mm zoom ring" search and found lots of places selling replacements... eBay, Amazon and many others... costing every where from $4 to $13. Heck, Nikon USA themselves sell a replacement for under $4 (plus tax & shipping, I'm sure): https://parts.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/lens-parts/af-s-17-55-zoom-rubber-ring.html (Note: Nikon USA's policy is that they won't sell OEM replacement parts to anyone outside their "official" repair network... But some of the relatively few exceptions include largely cosmetic items such as lens & camera rubber grips, replacement battery doors and similar.)

On some lenses where I couldn't find replacement rubber grips to fit, I've used self-adhesive, black "anti-slip"/traction tape that has a heavy texture (used on stairs, for example). Some of that is rubberized and it's available from hardware stores.

In some other cases I've used leather or leatherette that matched what was being used on the camera body itself, for a neat customized look.

pego101

Nikon sells them cheap easy to install

Hudsonwi Loc: Wisconsin

Does anyone know the cause of this apparently common problem? Cheap rubber, hot sun, old age? You would think a big name, big bucks, like Nikon would go with full metal.

uhaas2009

I got my from a pawn shop, in some min I know this is one of the best lenses.

BJ in OKla Loc: No Water Oklahoma

Thanks Bill, a friend, that knows more than me, told me to do this, he has more photo exp.
and had done this before..
Bj