Focus Chatter, 300mm 2.8 E FL ED VR

[Guido Bee]

I recently bought a used 300mm 2.8 E Nikon in F mount. Had what I thought was likely a loose mount so it went off to Nikon in LA.
Loose mount was resolved but the other "issue" is that it hunts a bit when focusing on a close (say 10 feet or so) subject. This is not an "end to end" type of hunting, just a minor adjustment (might be characterized as a "chatter") before and aft of the "correct" point. I have not had this problem with any other lenses, and it happens on multiple bodies. It does not seem to happen when on a tripod. I am thinking it is reacting to minor motions associated with being hand-held. VR does not seem to matter on or off. My guess is that it may have such a narrow depth of field that my motion is causing the lens to try to "correct" the focus. It will eventually settle down, but it does not "lock on" as my other lenses do. Focus is fast (other than the chatter), and the lens is as sharp as it is expected to be.
Anyone else have this issue? A recommendation or solution? Thanks in advance for any comments or responses. Nikon was advised of the condition when it was sent to them. Everything else about the work Nikon did was fine; what they told me they did was replace the lens mount among other things and perform a general CLA. It was more of a generic / canned answer from Nikon, but it's what I got.
I am just trying to decide if I should live with it as it is not an uncommon condition, or if it should go back to Nikon. Last trip was not cheap, but the next one might be on them; they do have a warranty period on their work. It's a beautiful lens, and I'd like to be happy keeping it. Thanks again.

 

[aolander]

I have one lens that chatters like you're describing. It's a Nikon 70-200 f/4 AF-S lens. I've owned three of these over the years, and they've all done it to some degree. Sent one in, but nothing changed. I think I remember another lens doing this, also, a Nikon 300m f/4 AF-S. I thought the same as you that slight movements when hand-holding keep the lens adjusting ever so slightly when shooting in AF-C focus mode.

 

[Warren D]

Your guess is correct, the lens is detecting and then compensating for the slight movements you are making. The exotics tend to do this more, partly due to the longer focal length and partly due to the extra weight when hand holding. Nikon USA is very diligent, if there were a problem they would have fixed it. Their warranty is only for the work they have done, so this would likely not be covered. I assume you are using continuous AF, in a word, it'll do that!

 

[Guido Bee]

I have one lens that chatters like you're describing. It's a Nikon 70-200 f/4 AF-S lens. I've owned three of these over the years, and they've all done it to some degree. Sent one in, but nothing changed. I think I remember another lens doing this, also, a Nikon 300m f/4 AF-S. I thought the same as you that slight movements when hand-holding keep the lens adjusting ever so slightly when shooting in AF-C focus mode.

Thanks, Alan, Of (some embarrassingly large number of ) lenses I have owned, only this one displayed this behavior.
I'm thinking I'm just going to live with it. It's too short for wildlife, so I can be patient to some degree, and I don't much shoot sports, so the instant focusing speed is not critical to me. Now, if it just did not weight 6.5 pounds...... Thanks again.

 

[Guido Bee]

Your guess is correct, the lens is detecting and then compensating for the slight movements you are making. The exotics tend to do this more, partly due to the longer focal length and partly due to the extra weight when hand holding. Nikon USA is very diligent, if there were a problem they would have fixed it. Their warranty is only for the work they have done, so this would likely not be covered. I assume you are using continuous AF, in a word, it'll do that!

Thanks, Warren, This is not my first "exotic" Nikkor, but this is my first experience with this behavior. The mount issue Nikon repaired was the bigger problem, and that was resolved perfectly. All my dealings with Nikon's repair guys (in LA) have been nothing but the best, other than how proud they are of their services (costs). I have never had any recurring problems with their work / repairs. They have even been pretty fast, and I am not an NPS member. Have a good Thanksgiving.