The most dreaded has finally happened   I just went to try to do some stock shots and the auto focus on my 18-200 lens won't work. When I try to do it manually (which doesn't do so well with me because I need new glasses...lol) it sounds like a grinding wheel.  I knew all those beach shots would kill it eventually...but I didn't want to face it! The other lens ...the crappy 18-80 that came with the D200 has so much noise it wouldn't even be useable. I started haveing noise issues with the 18-200 lens awhile back so that may be the camera./

Question is this...do any of you know what the costs would be to repair the camera as well as the lens?? Or would I be better to think about a new camera?

I hate the thought of all this because all my money is being pumped into a lawyer trying to fight for an estate matter.........ahhhh maybe I ought to open a stock site to defray the cost

Anyway any advice from you experts out there would be appreciated!!!

You had a 18-70 f3.5/5.6 with your D200. I did some stock at my begining with this lens, until it start to back focus quite a lot. Images wasn't really sharp anyway.

I worked in a photography store and I saw many second and thrid repair issue with the cameras. You may want to upgrade your D200 for a D90 (or whatever else) which is quite cheap but do as good images than your D200. It will also allow you XL at most places. Even have videos. Go on Nikon.com and see the prices

Whoops sorry it was a 18-70...you can tell I hardly ever used it. I had a issue with that lens when I first got the camera. I didn't buy the insurance...it cost me $198.00 just to get it repaired and I'm not real sure they ever actually ever sent it in to get it repaired. That was why I bought the 18-200...I was one of the ones on the pre pay waiting list that took 6 months to get.

Anyway since the two lens I have are pretty much crap now would it be better to go with a canon. It really doesn't matter to me if it has video on it.

Anyway since the two lens I have are pretty much crap now would it be better to go with a canon. It really doesn't matter to me if it has video on it.

Your 18-200 is ok though, if it work correctly. Personally, it won't make much diference if you go with Canon or Nikon. I only favor Canon for pro cameras and that's only my own opinion. Looking at your budget either Nikon or Canon will work. Though Nikon invested all efforts in the amateur series lately.

It's the 18-200 that is the main lens I use. That is the one that the AF went out on and when I try to manual focus it....it sounds like I'm grinding stone with it.

I remember my 70-300 doing this a while ago. Are you sure that you disabled the autofocus on your body before using manual focus ? I just tried my 24-70 and it do nothing special even when autofocus is on. But I do remember my oldest lens were doing this. I just can't tell what I does back then...

 Hi Donding,

 Sounds like sand and dirt to me. Try not to turn it to much before you have it repaired. It will continue to do damage. That grinding is grinding something in there. Sorry for the hassle it can be such a bummer. I shoot on the beach a lot and it is the same with my tripod if I don't give it a good bath afterward. Good Luck.

Best,
Jonathan

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Question is this...do any of you know what the costs would be to repair the camera as well as the lens?? Or would I be better to think about a new camera?

Interesting...you have a lot of confirmation that your issue is sand and dirt, donding, and that's what it sounds like to me. Are you still interested in repair costs (see post 4) or are you just going to buy a new camera?

I doubt that repair costs would be cheep because of the vibration feature of it and I know in the past when I got another lens repaired....which wasn't even worth repairing....it cost me to just send it in to check it out. I've started having  problems with the camera also with alot of noise even at low iso. I have a feeling it my be the sensor but it wasn't bad enough to mess with. I'd dare say it's all from that beach sand. How do you clean a lens after that or do you have to send them in? Anyway more than likely I'll be looking at a new camera. I'm really not sure. I'm been online shopping since there isn't to many places around here that even handle Nikon. The D90 or the D5000? or is it the D3000, can't remember, but it's the one's that are 12mp. Seems like the are reasonable in price.

I agree Jonathan, I think that's why I'm really considering going with a new one. I'd love the D300 but know that's out of my reach right now, but there are a few 12.3mp camera's out there now at a more reasonable price. Just got to decide which.
I really think it would actually be cheeper than repairing or just a little more for a new one.