Ultrasonic Motor issues, which lenses?

[Peter_S]

Hi All,
Need again your advice:
I know from the AFS 17-35 that there is a issue with the focus motor, probably also the
28-70/2.8 and the 80-200/2.8.
The newer lenses seem to be ok so far: 14-24, 24-70 and also 70-200 VR ...

I sold my AF-D lenses and I’m looking right now for new or used AFS lenses.
Please share your experience, thanks a lot
p

[Erik Lund]

Yes 17-35 2.8 AFS is troubled with squeaky motor


The rest just gets worn out at some point,,,

[MILLIREHM]

17-35 is reported with squeaky motor repeatedly. My sample never hat any issue with that

My 80-200 AF-S never had any issue , until my backpack fell from the table and AF did not work any more, so the SWM had to be replaced

[Bent Hjarbo]

My 17-35 got a new motor, but did not squeak

[pluton]

I have limited experience with AF-S- only 4 lenses ever.
 Note:  My lenses get very light use, compared to the lenses of a working commercial photographer.
My 24-70G I only had for a year, no issues.
My 17-35 worked fine in light use for 8 years, then without warning or apparent external cause the focus ring jammed.  Nikon put in a 'new everything' for $460, including the focus motor.  Never squeaked, before or after the new motor. 6 months after the repair, the repair went bad.  The lens froze any camera it was attached to.  Nikon fixed their mistake quickly.
My 14-24 worked fine, no squeak for 8 years until I sold it.
My 300/4 AF-s, bought used in very good [apparent]condition, squeaks a lot and I expect the motor to fail at some point.  Luckily, I'm happy with manual focus.

[Akira]

The ultrasonic/supersonic motor has its potential problem of deviating from its neutral position way before it is worn out.  You need periodical adjustment at Nikon service, whose procedure is essentially different from the in-camera AF calibration.

[richardHaw]

most earlier AF-S lenses. some just got lucky but they are generally regarded to have troublesome motors

the BEAST 28-70/2.8
17-55/2.8
17-35/2.8
80-200/2.8S

even some newer ones can be prone but less likely. I asked the Nikon service center and they said that later serials have improved motors. The parts number seem to be the same so I don't know what's new.  at the end of the day, it all depends on how you use or not use the lens. they can become sluggish if left unused. Canon lenses also exhibit the same thing as far as I know, I have heard people talking about it as well.