472 replies to this topic

[Juthro]

RODEO TIME, SO SOON!!  AGAIN !!??!!

 

That's what I was thinking, but they are only here 4 times this year, and I like to support our locals.....  Sooo, 'yall have to put up with a few pics....

 

Here I was, trying to stop time.

 

 

 

 

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Edited by Juthro, 22 June 2019 - 11:42 PM.

[Juthro]

I've been starting to have some trouble with the autofocus on my 55-300mm DX lens.  Especially if i have the zoom extended all the way to 300, sometimes I can hear the AF motor running but its not adjusting anything.  Usually a little touch, or tweek on the barrel of the lens and it will catch and do what its 'sposta.  To my untrained ear, I think a gear inside the lens is starting to strip.

 

Advice?

 

So it has gotten worse, the AF has gone to intermittently working on my lens, sometimes the motor just runs and it doesn't adjust anything.  I got an online quote to repair it from Nikon, and they estimate about $190, not including shipping or insurance.

 

I think I've treated the lens fairly well over its life.  Its never been dropped, or had anything spilled on it.  Though it has been used around salt water, and in very dusty conditions. I have had for a little over 4 years, and it has been my primary lens, with a LOT of use, more than I think most DX lens are really designed to do.

 

So I'm looking for advice here, I should get it repaired (I've been very happy with it up until now), or should I put that money into a newer, and possibly a more professional level lens?

[pharmer]

sorry I didn't get back on this sooner Juthro, been out of town for a while (may even have some pics worth showing)

 

mine has never given me the appearance of the motor going flaky. I've used the autofocus, therefore the motor, so little you could say there's no wear on it

 

BUT

 

mine is getting sticky. as in a very stuttery, unsmooth adjustment while turning the focus ring trying to find focus

 

so maybe your motor is struggling with the same kind of cruddy mess I assume is binding mine up. If you turn the autofocus off and adjust focus manually does the lens bind or resist adjustment?

 

maybe all that's needed is a good cleaning which, as near as I can tell, we can't do but the factory can

 

I haven't priced kit lenses more expensive than we're using now. seems to me the better ones have some special bells and whistles on them but have the same glass as ours just slightly larger, ergo one stop faster IF I remember right.

 

I've been working my ass off lately and have some mad money. Been thinking hard about which I want more - the D750 or some new glass. This is a good problem to have :)

Edited by pharmer, 26 June 2019 - 03:43 PM.

[Needles]

Summer's on and I think we're all very busy. I was just reminded again about your lens trouble. I just sent my 70 -200 to Nikon for repair. 2500.00 new or 700.00 for repair. My lens has the same trouble with auto focus not working. I have a 80-200 backup lens that I have been using. Last month that lens had auto focus issues too. When switched to manual focus it works fine, but try to manually focus on a fast moving subject. So it's a tough call to go with a new lens or the repair. Keep in mind that you get a ninth day repair warranty. One more thing, when I went to call in my payment. I asked if that was the best they could do on the price. The service tech came back with a discount and free shipping. So it never hurts to ask for a deal..

[Needles]

While I'm here I thought I would share a macrograph of some fungus I had grown on a plate.



Notice the balls of metabolic fluid attached to hyphae in the colony.

[pharmer]

Beautiful!

[Juthro]

Thank you Pharmer, and Needles, for the replies.  The online quote they gave me was for just under $200, but you don't know for sure until they open it up.  Then you add the price of shipping both directions (+insurance), and then I only get another 6 months of warranty...  That's more of leap of faith then I would like.

I love my Nikon glass, but I think I can get comparable glass at a better price, with a lot better warranty.

 

Makes me look at other brands like Tamron.  Their new 70-300 f 4 - 5.6 is very comparable to Nikon's DX lenses, and they have a 6 year warranty. 

 

 https://www.bhphotov...f_4_5_6_Di.html

 

[Juthro]

Amazing shot, Needles!!

[pharmer]

Needles

 

what is the type of light in the pic?

 

polarized perchance?

[Juthro]

Another rodeo pic.

 

 

Edited by Juthro, 27 June 2019 - 01:33 AM.

[Juthro]

I think I found a future 'topiate while I was at the rodeo.... :)

 

 

Edited by Juthro, 27 June 2019 - 02:58 AM.

[Needles]

Needles
 
what is the type of light in the pic?
 
polarized perchance?

The lights are simple dimmable LEDs there are three of them. The top two light the stage and are 120v and the inner bulb is a 24V dimmable LED that lights the subject of interest from underneath. At first I was using halogen bulbs, great illumination but they were frying my specimens. The LEDs run cool and have not had any heating issues. I built this from a old IR microscope that I bought for parts and just happened to fit my Nikon SMZ-10. I built the stage out of black walnut and still need to make a cover for the electrical outlet from it too.

[Needles]

Thank you Pharmer, and Needles, for the replies.  The online quote they gave me was for just under $200, but you don't know for sure until they open it up.  Then you add the price of shipping both directions (+insurance), and then I only get another 6 months of warranty...  That's more of leap of faith then I would like.
I love my Nikon glass, but I think I can get comparable glass at a better price, with a lot better warranty.
 
Makes me look at other brands like Tamron.  Their new 70-300 f 4 - 5.6 is very comparable to Nikon's DX lenses, and they have a 6 year warranty. 
 
 https://www.bhphotov...f_4_5_6_Di.html

That looks like a nice lens to reach out and catch that wildlife that surrounds you. Is your Nikon lens a 4-5.6? If your already using a veritable stop lens then the Tamron should be perfect for you. I know back many years ago there were focusing issues using off brand lenses on both Cannon and Nikon. That can't be a problem with today's equipment. Looking forward to seeing what you decide on.....

[Juthro]

GOD DAMN, Needles you have the coolest toys of anyone I know :)

 

(thank you brother for your input, I value it, and appreciate it)

[crazy1]

Amazing pictures in here, thanks so much for sharing them!!

[CatsAndBats]

 

 

 

Found these gorgeous plants outside next to my "tvcasualty's wet towel tek" sterilite bin. Funny thing is, I haven't planted these in a couple years! They are lauren's grape papaver somniferum.

 

 

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[Juthro]

 

That looks like a nice lens to reach out and catch that wildlife that surrounds you. Is your Nikon lens a 4-5.6? If your already using a veritable stop lens then the Tamron should be perfect for you. I know back many years ago there were focusing issues using off brand lenses on both Cannon and Nikon. That can't be a problem with today's equipment. Looking forward to seeing what you decide on.....

 

 

The Nikon lens is actually a half a stop slower @ f4.5 - 5.6   Also the front element on the Tamron is 62mm, as opposed to the 56mm of the Nikon.   According to reviews, Tamron's new ultrasonic focus motor, and their Vibration Compensation (VC) are at least equal to, if not slightly better (depends on the reviewer) than Nikon's AF-S, and its VR.  

 

So I figure that shipping both ways with insurance would cost me $100, give or take a little.  Add to that the $200 for the repair (+ more, if they find more problems) and top if off with the fact that I'll only get 6 months of warranty.  Like I said before I love my lens,  It has served me wonderfully over the last 4 or 5 years, but for an additional $150 bucks I can upgrade to a brand new Tamron, and get a 6 year warranty.   It'll have to wait for a little while, as I'm stretched on coin right now, but I think that will be the way I end up going.

 

Maybe Santa will bring me one for X-mas.....   Ow wait, you have to be good for that to work, never mind :)

[Juthro]

This years colt is growing fast, he's not quite big enough to be safe from the eagle, but he's getting close.

 

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Edited by Juthro, 27 June 2019 - 03:29 PM.

[PJammer24]

Another rodeo pic.

 

DSC_0445r.1.jpg

 

 

That's a purdy.... uh um eh ah, young highland heifer? is a Dexter? It isn't very big... It has horns so its not a Galloway...

 

I've kinda always wanted a cowgirl of my very own!

[PJammer24]

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Found these gorgeous plants outside next to my "tvcasualty's wet towel tek" sterilite bin. Funny thing is, I haven't planted these in a couple years! They are lauren's grape papaver somniferum.

 

 

I have elected to not grow poppies... I am trying to live 100% opiate free... I didn't set that stuff down two Septembers ago to take chances and end up right back where I started....

 

Cool photo!

Edited by PJammer24, 27 June 2019 - 03:52 PM.