[The_Blob]

I have a Nikon AF Nikkor 28-200mm 1:3.5-5.6D (made in Japan), and I just realized that the zoom ring isn't super smooth when zooming and in out. Zooming feels a bit heavy, and it's not like ball bearing smooth like on some low end lenses. It's a used lense so I don't know if it's normal or not. Anyone here have the same issue with their Nikon lenses? I would suspect a smoother zooming feel for this mid ranged priced lense.

[asdflkijd]

Hmm, I have a 28-135mm Canon and it feels a little heavier compared to the 18-55mm.. Have you tried testing the same lens at an electronics store? My hunch is that it just feels heavier because of the weight/ material (metal vs plastic)..

[rodi]

try the pro lenses (f/2.8 zooms).

[TWiTCHY]

I recently tried out a new Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 at a store then bought a used one the day after. The newer ones are noticeably stiffer. It seems like you have to break in the zoom ring and after a couple of uses it should be a bit looser. The used one I bought wasn't as bad as the new one at the store.

[The_Blob]

Originally Posted by asdflkijd

Hmm, I have a 28-135mm Canon and it feels a little heavier compared to the 18-55mm.. Have you tried testing the same lens at an electronics store? My hunch is that it just feels heavier because of the weight/ material (metal vs plastic)..

The Nikon AF Nikkor 28-200mm 1:3.5-5.6D has been discontinued so I couldn't try it at a store selling new lenses. It's one of those heavier metal construction lenses. I guess that could be the case why it's not like ball bearing smooth when I zoom in and out.

[The_Blob]

I just read a reivew of a similar lens http://www.bythom.com/18200lens.htm and I know why it's a bit stiff and rough while zooming

"The zoom ring is stiff and has a very different feel at different focal lengths (I should note that some users claim it is loose and subject to zoom creep; that isn't the case on my sample). As you zoom in to 200mm, the zoom ring has a sudden "loose point" just before you get to the maximum focal length. Zooming the other direction is smoother, though still what I'd call rough."

I guess having a fairly stiff zoom ring handling is a good thing to prevent zoom creep when shooting photos upwards or downwards.

However, when I zoom in or out of the lense still creates a very tiny dry screeching noise. Anyone else have a similar issue their lenses while zooming?