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| 200-400 mm Tripod collar | Rating: 
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| Author | Post |
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| Posted by Ed Matusik: Wed Oct 2nd, 2013 11:02 | 1st Post |
| The tripod collar on my 200-400 will not allow the lens body to rotate when the locking screw is fully loosend. Has anyone had a similar problem, and is there a self-fix for this? I really don't want to send the lens to a nikon repair facility if I don't have to. I did contact a nikon repair center in NJ, and the person responding didn't even know what a tripod collar was. - EdM
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| Posted by jk: Wed Oct 2nd, 2013 13:01 | 2nd Post |
| Well dont send anything to NJ for repair! That is so ignorant by that person. Did they not even offer to find out and to call back ? You might do better to phone or go to a decent Nikon dealer who should have a unit in stock.
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| Posted by jk: Thu Oct 3rd, 2013 10:38 | 3rd Post |
| Been looking at my long telephotos. I think that all the Nikon ones behave the same and apparently the 300mm AFS and 200-400 AFS are meant to have similar behaviours. My 300mm f2.8 AFS the tripod collar will rotate when fully unscrewed it acts more like a clutch or friction control as depending on how tightly you screw it up you can have the ring completely locked or turning under some or no friction.
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| Posted by Ed Matusik: Thu Oct 3rd, 2013 11:04 | 4th Post |
| Mine doesn't move at all with the friction lock fully open. I even tried using a rubber strap wrench (gently of course) to get it to turn, but it won't budge. I'm very hesitant to try using a lightweight lubricant as I'm not sure the materials used wouldn't be partially liquified.
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| Posted by Robert: Thu Oct 3rd, 2013 11:32 | 5th Post |
| Has it been NEAR salt water Ed? If so it could be expansive corrosion inside the collar. Aluminium is very prone to salt air corrosion. I would try tapping the collar gently and trying to turn the collar with the friction lock fully loosened. Does the collar remove? I think some do some don't.
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Ed Matusik: Thu Oct 3rd, 2013 14:23 | 6th Post |
Robert wrote:Has it been NEAR salt water Ed? As I mentioned in an earlier reply, I tried using a strap wrench to turn the barrel after fully releasing the friction lock screw. I could move it slightly, but not to the extent it should move. It was never exposed (at least by me) to a corrosive atmosphere. Maybe I'll try tapping on the screw in the open position to see if it's just stuck somehow.
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| Posted by Ed Matusik: Thu Oct 3rd, 2013 17:32 | 7th Post |
| Robert & JK. I contacted Nikonusa and their telephone service rep recommended that I not try to free the collar on my own. I tend to agree with him and will send the unit to Nikon repair and let them free it up. I don't think I'll tamper with a $7,000 lens.
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| Posted by Robert: Thu Oct 3rd, 2013 17:57 | 8th Post |
No sense of adventure Ed!!!  But probably very sensible... Good luck with it. $7,000 WOW!
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by jk: Fri Oct 4th, 2013 04:40 | 9th Post |
Ed Matusik wrote: Robert & JK. I contacted Nikonusa and their telephone serviceI agree. I would be very loathe to do this. I think the prudent thing would be to send back to Nikon for assessment and repair. I have searched my archives for a Nikon 200-400 repair manual and dont have a copy paper or electronic else I would be able to comment more.
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| Posted by Ed Matusik: Fri Oct 4th, 2013 11:30 | 10th Post |
| Right Robert, $6,749.00 to be exact. The manual for the lens states that you can remove the collar by fully loosening the screw then removing the set-screw holding the larger screw in place, but if I damage anything, the repair costs will go up accordingly. So - I'll be sending the unit to Nikon repair.
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| Posted by jk: Fri Oct 4th, 2013 16:23 | 11th Post |
| Ed, it might be cheaper to get a new tripod collar as a spare part rather than sending the lens in for repair!
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Ed Matusik: Sat Oct 5th, 2013 13:26 | 12th Post |
| To update, I fully unscrewed the friction lock and, with a combination rubber/plastic mallet gave the collar several short blows at the tripod mount location (of course it was not mounted in a tripod at the time). Nothing - the collar never moved.
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| Posted by jk: Sat Oct 5th, 2013 14:50 | 13th Post |
| Ed, according to the notes I have read on the 200-400 the tripod collar does not come off. Is this true? I know you probably cant test this as it wont even turn but the lens instructions should say.
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| Posted by Ed Matusik: Sat Oct 5th, 2013 15:30 | 14th Post |
jk wrote:Ed, according to the notes I have read on the 200-400 the tripod collar does not come off. Is this true? I know you probably cant test this as it wont even turn but the lens instructions should say. Well, according to my User's manual (p. 25), "It's possible to remove the tripod collar by removing the tripod collar lock screw. For details on this procedure, contact your nearest Nikon service center or representative office." There's a small retaining screw visible when the lock screw is fully open; however, the collar just slips over the lens barrel and doesn't open like a hose clamp. Nevertheless, the thing is so firmly attached to the lens barrel in my case that I can't see where trying to remove it is feasible for me.
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| Posted by jk: Sat Oct 5th, 2013 16:34 | 15th Post |
| Ed, I just managed to get hold of an AFS 200-400 VR manual. In the manual it says......It's possible to detach the tripod collar by removing the tripod collar lock screw. For details on this procedure, contact your nearest Nikon service center or representative office. I think there is a screw in the the base of the Tripod Locking screw that you can unscrew that allow the complete removal of the tripod locking screw. If you can remove the tripod locking screw then the tripod collar should be able to be removed or else you might be able to put a 'little' oil into the hole which may then free the lens. I think like Robert says you may have dirt or a little corrosion in the gap between the lens tripod collar and the lans body. Good luck.
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| Posted by Ed Matusik: Sun Oct 6th, 2013 11:44 | 16th Post |
| I loosened the set-screw and the larger friction screw came out easily. Looking into the opening, there is no evidence of dirt or corrosion. But, immediately to the rear of the collar is a ring about 3/8" wide that seems to be pushed against the collar. This ring looks as though it was intentionally fitted close to the collar ring using some tool which I do not have. I think the retaining ring is fitted too tightly and will not permit the collar to move.
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| Posted by jk: Sun Oct 6th, 2013 14:31 | 17th Post |
| Which version of the lens do you have VR or VRii ? I think in truth that for your peace of mind it might be better to send back to Nikon Tech for a service repair.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by jk: Sun Oct 6th, 2013 14:37 | 18th Post |
Ed Matusik wrote: I loosened the set-screw and the larger friction screw came out easily. Looking into the opening, there is no evidence of dirt or corrosion. But, immediately to the rear of the collar is a ring about 3/8" wide that seems to be pushed against the collar. This ring looks as though it was intentionally fitted close to the collar ring using some tool which I do not have. I think the retaining ring is fitted too tightly and will not permit the collar to move. Please can you take a picture so I can take a look at what you mean. This seems really problematic but it may be solved by seeing a picture.
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| Posted by Ed Matusik: Sun Oct 6th, 2013 15:06 | 19th Post |
| Here it is JK. VR II. Attachment: 200-400 VRII Collar Ring (#1) Edit.jpg (Downloaded 12 times)
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| Posted by jk: Sun Oct 6th, 2013 16:35 | 20th Post |
| Silly question but I need to ask it. Have you tried to move the collar anticlockwise as well as clockwise ? I think that considering the cost of the lens that I would get it checked out at a Nikon Repair Center. If it was purchased in the last two/three years then it should still be under warranty.
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| Posted by Ed Matusik: Sun Oct 6th, 2013 16:42 | 21st Post |
jk wrote:Silly question but I need to ask it. I did. I tried rotating it with the strap wrench and also tried tapping the foot in both directions with the mallet. It's solidly in place, and I'm betting it's that retaining ring that's the problem. I will send it to Nikon repair to have it freed, but I'll probably wait until next spring to do so.
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