They don't make lenses like they used to.

Garbz · Nov 26, 2006

Last week I picked up the lense for my D200 finally. It's the Nikkor AF-S 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 G DX ED. Very nice lens and I'm very happy with it, but I did notice one thing. The aperature blades do not close in the exact centre of the lens, and the shape they make is a bit oval. It does take fantastic pictures, but I expected more since my 30 year old Nikkor AI 50mm f1.8 is just perfect, though admittedly the new lens is sharper.

I guess just like modern vinyl pressings, some people just forgot what the word centre means, or is there a reason for this?

Flash Harry · Nov 26, 2006

I have the same lens, its very sharp too, I havent noticed what you describe but as far as I'me concerned if it produces the goods then its a good lens.

Garbz · Nov 26, 2006

I may just take it back just as the warrenty period expires

Don Simon · Nov 26, 2006

If you think there might be anything at all wrong with it in any way, why not just take it back now? If bought from a shop (as opposed to online) they should be willing to exchange it right there in-store so you won't even have to wait for a replacement.

mysteryscribe · Nov 26, 2006

unless of course that is the design of the aperture. Nobody wrote in stone that the apurture has to be dead centered. I have no idea since two of you have the same thing and they seem to be quality lenses and it doesn't seem to be a problem i would make sure it is a fault before I went to the trouble.

By the way modern lenses are a hundred times better than ancient in their detail but they also very hard looking. Just a useless fact.

Garbz · Nov 26, 2006

ZaphodB said:
If you think there might be anything at all wrong with it in any way, why not just take it back now? If bought from a shop (as opposed to online) they should be willing to exchange it right there in-store so you won't even have to wait for a replacement.

Few reasons. The shop is on the southside so it's a 3 hour roundtrip. I am leavng the country on Friday. Also Nikon is having such huge distribution problems in Australia that it took the shop 3 months to get my lens in the first place, and they have a backorder to fill, chances of having the lens in the shop are minimal.

JIP · Nov 26, 2006

They do make them the way they used to you just have to pay more for them.

xfloggingkylex · Nov 27, 2006

could the slight oval shape be a design to help with the wide angles in some way? just a thought. But really if you think theres a problem bring it to the store, take a look at another lens and see if it is the same.

Flash Harry · Nov 27, 2006

Just had a look at mine, as it closes down its actually octagonal and fully open it does look slightly oval rather than round so I wouldn't worry about it as it must be the design, as long as the results are ok/good its no problem.

Garbz · Nov 27, 2006

Hmmm I did notice where it does cause a problem. Taking shots with some bokeh gives a very odd shape of one of the shutter blades. I may call tomorrow and see about getting it looked at. Hasn't affected the sharpness though.

Garbz · Nov 28, 2006

http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a241/Garbz01/lense test/?sc=1&addtype=local

Took some example shots above. All of the above are focused on the glass, (cropped not resized), and the glass was 0.4m from the lens, and the led on my hifi was about 3m away. You can see the bokeh screw up at f7.1 the shape starts getting rather irregular. I also photographed a picture of the lens at f 6.3 or f7.1 i can't remember.

My question to you is, is this normal? Would you send this back if this were your lens?