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Reg R Coulter | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Nikon 18-200 Zoom Creep fix tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

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Nikon 18-200 Zoom Creep fix

This simple O-ring trick takes care of the zoom creep this lens exhibits.
18-200 O-ring 01.jpg 18-200 O-ring 02.jpg O-ring on ruler.jpg

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Eric van der Toorn 01-Jul-2013 20:26
Great solution! Thank you for the idea. Greetings from the Netherlands. Eric
Guest 23-Apr-2013 14:06
I'm sorry, but how does this prevent the creeping? Is it tightening the barrel?
Mark 25-May-2012 15:58
I have the same problem when trying to take aerial photographs pointing down through the open windo with one hand while maintiaing control of the aircraft with the other hand. The solution I found was to use a flap of gorilla tape on the bottom of the lens with the edge folded over for easy gripping. I can peel the tape back 1/4" to free the bezel for zooming then the tape flops back almost by itself to lock.
Guest 12-Feb-2012 21:56
I solved my problem with a black rubber band. It sits flat, the color blends in and works well. After a lot of looking, I found them at grandbandrubberbands.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=G&Product_Code=RPL_BLK. Note that these come in packages of black or assorted colors.
dick c 21-Jan-2012 23:34
The comment below should read "1/16th inch cross section."
dick c 21-Jan-2012 23:31
I used an o-ring from an old Pur water filter. They're 1/6th inch cross section, by about 2 1/8th inside diameter. It's tight enough to hold very well. It will also roll out of the groove easily and park above the numbers without hiding them, then roll back with a little snap when it hits the groove again. I have to think it's better and more convenient than whatever sort of lock they put on them.

Thanks for the tip.
photojo 11-Dec-2011 11:37
Even a rubber band works, and given the way pros beat up their equipment and use tape and whatever ever else will get the job done, it will make you look like you know what you're doing . . . Moreover, don't be tempted to spring for a new version of the lens; they still creep. This is a great lens though for what it is. Its not the 70-200, but for moving around without too much weight and no need to change lenses, its superb and certainly has acceptable optics, contrast and color. The rest is up to you! Try it on a d5100 if you want good image quality and a super small (and basic, but adequate) package.
leevituptogod 01-Jun-2011 16:00
I came across a similar fix from a company call Lens Band. They make some very good looking silicone rings that look nice on your zoom lens while achieving the same results. Check out their site: lensband|com
leevituptogod 01-Jun-2011 15:59
I came across a similar fix from a company call Lens Band. They make some very good looking silicone rings that look nice on your zoom lens while achieving the same results. Check out their site: lensband|com
Guest 14-Nov-2010 02:46
I used this fix on a Canon 17-85. It worked quite well. I've found I need to replace the O-Ring every so often. Also, I used an O-Ring that is thinner than the one pictured above, which isn't quite as visible.
guest 19-Dec-2009 15:55
the new nikon 18-200 vrII has zoom lock. :) thanks for this inexpensive solution. il buy an o-ring tomoro. im actually wearing an o-ring---coincidentally. well, it looks like an o-ring.... :)
Guest 13-Dec-2009 18:48
It's unfortunate that Nikon has not offered a solution to this problem. Rubber bands on a $900 lens? Wouldn't click stops on the zoom in the original design have been better?
Jeff 03-Dec-2009 14:27
I've got a Canon 28-135 that creeps.
I'll try the wrist band trick. But, where exactly fo you place it on the lens?
Tom Miller 06-Nov-2009 18:47
I went to "24HourWristbands.Com" and ordered several wrist bands in Black. They are a perfect fit and you can't see them. It looks much better than a light colored rubber band. You can even have something printed on them if you like. I had NIKON printed on it so it looks like it was made for it and professional looking.
Tom Miller 06-Nov-2009 15:42
I went to "24HourWristbands.Com" and ordered several wrist bands in Black. They are a perfect fit and you can't see them. It looks much better than a light colored rubber band. You can even have something printed on them if you like. I had NIKON printed on it so it looks like it was made for it and professional looking.
Roger 11-Oct-2009 17:07
I use a yellow rubber band from Whole Foods - the kind they use on organic broccoli, and so far it works perfectly. It doesn't keep you from turning the lens when you want to, but keeps it from creeping. A major win, especially when hiking.

Roger
Guest 30-Jul-2009 10:49
where can I buy an o ring like this online? Im in Ireland
Martin Harvey 04-May-2009 13:29
Someone at Nikon is probably cringing at this! I have had this lens for just over 2 years now and noticed the creep at 200mm on a recent trip. So I switched to manual focus which worked better. While not perfectly satisfactorily I don't take much at this setting so no big deal. But isn't this a little "Heath Robinson"? Perhaps another reason to get a 16-85!
Guest 22-Apr-2009 16:19
Brilliant, I will dig in my sons room for a wrist band or try the Oring as it looks more professional. Great stuff.
Guest 16-Dec-2008 14:48
I did this fix and instead of buying an o ring of a specific size I found that the o ring like bands that kids wear around their wrists works like a champ. To boot you can get almost any color you want.
Calvin G Schillinger 15-Jul-2008 18:22
Reg, I'm impressed with your simple but effective fix. Do you know the size of the "o" ring and where can it be purchased? Thanks very much!
Darius 03-May-2008 21:07
I used 4 layers of black sticky film (which is used for creating advertisments) and sticked to the bottom of front tube. And now lens does not creep and sticked film is almost invisible.
Georgette Grossman 27-Feb-2008 02:48
Inexpensive, "out-of-the-box" solution!
Many thanks,
Georgette
Stuart Levy 10-Jan-2008 15:44
Excellent fix. This problem can be a real pain when doing action shooting and letting camera hang on neck. I got mine yesterday, a bit smaller (2.75) since they did not have the larger one in stock, and it is also fine. I am thinking about a spot of super glue to hold it firmly in place..

Thanks.

Stu
Walter Otto Koenig27-Nov-2007 16:17
I have read on several photo forums that a rubber band, preferably wide, works just as well. I have not experienced any lens creep on the 70-300 VR Zoom.
Guest 26-Nov-2007 21:27
the lens now looks funny.. :(
Glenn Dean (Vatorman)29-Oct-2007 16:48
Thanks for the simple idea!
kieranmullen 07-Sep-2007 08:36
Were do you get the o rings? Home depot doesnt carry them that large... or someone couldnt find them for me.
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