Nikon 70-300 VR lens "VR issue" does not work on DSLR but works with V1 and FT-1 adaptor. puzzled??

paparotz

I know this lens has been known to be not so robust with being able to take bangs and bumps. As with most I recently picked up a copy of the 70-300 vr lens under the impression it was ok. upon inspection i did find that the VR was operationally intermittent. you could go through the switch controls, on, off, normal, active. every once in a while the VR would automatically kick in. I know the VR works fine with all my other lenses when I use them on my D600. definitely not the camera's fault. I disassembled the lens down to the main control board where all the ribbon cables connect at. checked all the connections, everything was by appearance fine. put everything back together same issue. 4 mechanical clicks coming from the lens when you turn on the DSLR. Now. take the lens and put it on the V1 with the FT-1 adaptor. VR kicks in the second you turn the camera on and the VR stays on as long as the camera is active. lens works correctly every time with the V1/ FT-1 combo. So.. Feed back please. what are your thoughts on this? connections in the pins? IC chipset ( with the lens) not working properly with the interfacing of a DSLR camera? I'm a little baffled at this and wondering if this is a good way to test a lens to see if the VR is really bad on a lens. thanks in advance for any input.

pe1125

I'm afraid I have no solutions for you, but I observed exactly the same failure on a 70-300G VR I was buying on eBay a few years ago. Ending up sending it back for a refund. The lens would click a few times, fail to initialize the VR and then VR wouldn't work. Every once it while it did initialize OK and then worked fine. I didn't have a V1 at that time so I of course didn't observe the strange case you're seeing. Apparently the V1 doesn't send the same "turn on VR with shutter press" signal that the DSLR's have, so it is conceivable there is a bad connection on a particular pin.
Peter

PB_PM

My 70-300mm VR does not have this issue, it works just as well as the VR on any other lens (in terms of technical operation).

BabaGanoush

I bought this lens way back when I owned a D7000. It worked almost flawlessly on that camera and these days it works equally well on my D800. I've never had a problem with mine.

spraynpray

Try cleaning the contacts on the lens and body.

heartyfisher

On the Nikon 1 if vr is turned on then it's always on. Unlike on the other Nikon dslr. Which turns the vr on and off as needed

KnockKnock

Take care to power off the camera/s while changing lenses. I read this from Thom Hogan's site, "Turn the camera off. Nikon's been telling us to turn the camera off before changing lenses, and it's never been more true. If VR is active when you remove the lens from the camera, weird things can and do happen."

Rmologic

I have an issue with my 70-300 on my D3200 Body. The lens will run to the near end of focus and will stick there until manually run back into focus before an auto focus demand will work.
Setup
D3200 Focus on back button
Manual
VR off
focus on distant objects in good and bad light
This has been happening for 3 months and is causing me to miss shots.
I have cleaned the contacts. restarted the camera. reseated all of the switches on the lens.
Any suggestions on how to trouble shoot? Do I need to send camera and lens to a shop?
TIA. R

D3200, Kit lens', 105 micro, 70-300 vr, 35 dx 1.8, 50mm D 1.8, 18-70 DX, Tokina 11-16 DXII, Induro 214, RRS BH30 Pro II, RRS, TA-2-LB

PB_PM

Is the focus motor making a squealing sound while focusing? If it is squealing, or even if it is is not, it could be a failing AF-S motor.

Rmologic

Thanks I will listen I have not noticed a noise when focusing and VR is usually off. R

Rmologic

How loud would the squealing be? a hi freq whine or a like a belt squeal?

PB_PM

In my experience squealing from a failing AF-S motor can be intermittent. The sound reminds me of fingernails being scratched across the surface of a chalkboard at the peak, and then like a loose fan belt in a car. The sound may only last a fraction of a second at any point while focusing. Lets put it this way, if there is any noise that is higher pitched than the normal almost silent swooshing sound (if I had audio files of both I'd put them on dropbox to share) then I would be concerned.

Rmologic

Hi All I sent my Camera and 70-300 lens into CPS in Sacramento. They have diagnosed a failure in then lens and a dirty sensor! Camera is being returned today. I will post the repair info FYI when it is returned in 7-10 days when the parts arrive. R

Ironheart

CPS = Child Protective Services in California. Are they good with camera repair as well?

Rmologic

California Precision Services Inc. Sorry for the confusion. R

Rmologic

Hi All Received my 70-300 back from repair. Items replaced SWM Focus motor and VR Unit. Cost with shipping 315.88. parts were $128. So far I have had it replicate the issues. So New Lens Wuhoo! R