Barrel wobble on the 50mm 1.4

[Peter Lethbridge]

I've noticed that there is a fair amount of movement with the barrel of the 50mm 1.4 lens. It does tighten up a little when mounted. Is this normal?

 

[zheng1980]

I ve noticed similar thing, my barrel and the focus ring were still able to rotate slightly after auto focus lock. it definitly through off the focus if you touch it after focus.

 

[CraigRamsey]

Mine seems pretty solid. Just curious: is yours made in China or Japan? Mine's made in Japan. It's been said that the (older) japanese ones are made a little better. Anyway, under normal use I don't see it as much of a problem.

I ve noticed similar thing, my barrel and the focus ring were still
able to rotate slightly after auto focus lock. it definitly through
off the focus if you touch it after focus.

 

[zheng1980]

Mine is the newer ones, made in China. It doesnt really matter since under normal usage, but its still bit of a bother. I also found the same problem with my G lenses.

I ve noticed similar thing, my barrel and the focus ring were still
able to rotate slightly after auto focus lock. it definitly through
off the focus if you touch it after focus.

 

[RogM]

Mine seems pretty solid. Just curious: is yours made in China or
Japan? Mine's made in Japan. It's been said that the (older)
japanese ones are made a little better. Anyway, under normal use I
don't see it as much of a problem.

..and I heard just the opposite; that the current Chinese-made Nikkors showed better fit and attention to quality control. Guess it depends on what you read. Anyway, mine is Chinese and seems quite tight in every way, no wobble whatever. However, it would not surprise me to see mechanical problems after extended use, since the build quality of any of these cheapos does not appear exceptional.

Wherever they're made, they are still plastic junk with silkscreened numbers, a disgrace to the long-standing quality tradition that Nikon established over many years. I'll have to admit, however, that the optical performance still seems up to par.

 

[zheng1980]

Mine is new though, and its the focusing ring thats moving, not the lens barrel it self. I wonder why most lenses (except for those super expensive pro ones) are plastic, even my old Chinese mechanical SLR's 58mm lense is full metal.....

..and I heard just the opposite; that the current Chinese-made
Nikkors showed better fit and attention to quality control. Guess
it depends on what you read. Anyway, mine is Chinese and seems
quite tight in every way, no wobble whatever. However, it would
not surprise me to see mechanical problems after extended use,
since the build quality of any of these cheapos does not appear
exceptional.

Wherever they're made, they are still plastic junk with
silkscreened numbers, a disgrace to the long-standing quality
tradition that Nikon established over many years. I'll have to
admit, however, that the optical performance still seems up to par.

 

[RogM]

Mine is new though, and its the focusing ring thats moving, not the
lens barrel it self. I wonder why most lenses (except for those
super expensive pro ones) are plastic, even my old Chinese
mechanical SLR's 58mm lense is full metal.....

Since Nikon, Canon and others began releasing these cheapened-up plastic products at the same time, one can only suspect that there may have been cost-saving agreements established between them to end production of lenses that were more labor-intensive. Although there may be others in the Nikkor line, only the 17-35mm f/2.8 appears to maintain the old build quality, and even their "pro" line of expensive lenses are finished in black wrinkle paint with silkscreened painted-on details in place of engraving. Perhaps the market for these lenses simply doesn't care anymore, and traditional build quality is no longer an issue as long as the money pours in.
-RogM