Nikon DSLR lens noises

[MouseMadness]

Hey Guys,
Using my DW ID to post here.:cool1:
I just got my Nikon D7000 and I already have a concern regarding lens noises. I have the 70-300 and the 18-105 Nikon lenes. The 18-105 works great, but the 70-300 makes noises when trying to focus. It is a grinding type sound. It doesn't happen continuously, but at certain points it seems as though the lens can't focus quick enough and you can hear the mechanics inside. At times it shakes, too (when trying to focus), and the picture will come out blurry.

Being this is my first DSLR, is this at all normal? Do I have it in some kind of wrong setting? :rolleyes1

Thanks

[ukcatfan]

Not being familiar with Nikon, is that lens a screw driven focus lens and the other one you have an internal focus lens? If so, then you shouldn't be comparing the two to each other. The screw driven lenses are much louder and do vibrate more.

[MouseMadness]

They are both the AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor lens. but I do not know if one is a screw type. I'll read up on the two. Thanks

[Anewman]

It doesn't happen continuously, but at certain points it seems as though the lens can't focus quick enough and you can hear the mechanics inside. At times it shakes, too (when trying to focus), and the picture will come out blurry.


If you are talking about situations with low light levels... Lenses especially slow consumer level lenses will hunt for focus, sometimes with less than ideal results.

If it hunts like that on a bright sunny day, possibly a bad lens.

[LordAthens]

The (current model, AF-S) 70-300mm VR is a SWM focusing lens, grinding noises are definitely not the norm. I would suspect you have a bad copy. The focus and VR system is basically the same as what is in your 18-105 kit lens and should sound VERY similar.

The 70-300 is a nice lens, quite sharp up until a little over 200mm. Other than that and being on the slow side (you're at /5.6 at 200mm), it's a great little consumer tele.

I would most definitely exchange it for a new copy.