Used Nikon 18-200mm won't zoom or focus properly on a D50 — is it defective?
Asked 12/12/2011
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2 answers
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I bought a used Nikon AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 for my Nikon D50 from a reputable seller. After mounting it, I noticed several problems:
- The zoom ring only seems to move between about 30mm and 135mm instead of the full 18-200mm range.
- The lens makes a creaky noise when trying to focus.
- It struggles to focus on distant subjects, even around 30 yards away.
- Images at closer distances are usable, but not as sharp as my other lenses.
I know the lens should be compatible with the D50, so I’m trying to figure out whether I’m missing a setting or whether the lens is faulty and should be returned. Is there a basic test I can do to confirm whether the lens is defective?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
3
I have the AF-S Nikkor 18-200 1:3.5-5.6 which I believe is the same lens as you.
Mine is paired with a D90 body and I have none of the issues that you have described.
Can you try this simple test:
- Remove lens from camera
- Ensure 18mm lock is released
- Ensure focus switch on M (Manual) instead of M/A (Manual/Automatic)
- Move the lens between the 18mm and 200mm focal points - this should be a fluid move with no sound
- The focus ring should be able to move between infinity and 0.5 with the same fluid movements
If you experience none of the above, then I would say contact the seller and see if they will honor a replacement.
Originally by user154. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user154
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
It does sound like the lens may be defective, not a normal compatibility issue with the D50.
A quick check:
- Remove the lens from the camera.
- Make sure the 18mm zoom lock is released.
- Set the focus switch to M.
- The zoom ring should move smoothly through the full 18–200mm range.
- The focus ring should also turn smoothly through its full distance range.
If the zoom only moves partway, that is not normal. The only thing that should restrict zoom travel is the lock at 18mm. Also, autofocus on this lens should be fairly quiet, so a creaky sound is a bad sign.
Image quality from the 18-200mm should be reasonably sharp for a superzoom—certainly not obviously worse than normal kit-lens results when used correctly. You can also check whether the green focus-confirmation light appears in the viewfinder when focusing.
Based on the symptoms you described—limited zoom movement, noisy focusing, poor distant focus, and softness—the safest conclusion is that the lens likely has a mechanical problem and you should contact the seller for a return or replacement.
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