Nikkor 20mm f2.8 Questions

[Creagerj]

I was at a local camera shop the other day looking at some Nikkor 20mm f2.8 lenses. They had two, both of them looked great, except that they all made a weird almost grinding/raspy noise when focusing. In MF mode the focus was very smooth.

I did some searching and found that a lot of people said this lens is noisy in AF mode. I just wanted to ask if anyone here has any experience with this lens and if they also found that this is a noisy lens.

So, is this a noisy lens? Or were the lenses that I was looking at getting worn out?

 

[Chris101]

Mine doesn't make any noise. Both my 85mm f/1.8 and 180mm f/2.8 are louder. My 50mm f/1.8 and 35mm f/2 are quieter.

 

[dogberryjr]

Mine is quiet as can be. Lovely lens.

 

[Creagerj]

Hmm. I should mention that these were the non-D versions, so a bit older.

Has anyone heard about the gears or focusing cam in these lenses going bad/getting worn and becoming noisy?

It doesn't seem like lenses like these should have many problems. Both of them looked like they were in better shape than my 35mm AF-D, and yet my 35 is pretty quiet, just a mechanical sound whirring like a small and quiet power drill, whereas these seem like there is some plastic gears in great duress.

Here is the link to the discussion I found on these lenses being noisy:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikon20mmf28/discuss/72157594513757829/

One of the posters describes the noise as a Clank-Buzz-Clonk-Scratch-Buzz-Clonk-Clank-Catchacatcha-Burrrr, which is about right.

 

[Creagerj]

These lenses had the same mechanical whirring sound as my 35, only a lot louder, and a bit raspy. That is about as well as I can describe it.

Anyway, I'm guessing the noise is not normal?

 

[Nikon Bob]

Just checked my used 20/2.8 AFD against a new 50/1.4 AFD and they sounded very similar. The screw drive Nikkors are louder than the AFS Nikkors.

Bob

 

[Creagerj]

Just checked my used 20/2.8 AFD against a new 50/1.4 AFD and they sounded very similar. The screw drive Nikkors are louder than the AFS Nikkors.

Bob

Doesn't sound promising...

 

[former member]

My 20/2.8 AF-Nikkor does not get heavy use, ordered it with the D1x in 2002. Very quiet. The "D" version came out with the N90, so the non-D version is over 15 years old.

I suspect the gears are worn, and you should stay away. I've taken apart one AF Zoom lens, and can see where problems could occur. Check it against the 28/2.8 headed yor way. I tested it on my D1, sounded fine.

 

[Creagerj]

Okay, thanks a lot Brian.