Nikon 1 Nikkor 10mm f/2.8

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2025/07/17/repair-1-nikkor-10mm-f-2-8/ 
please tell me, is this a lemon or what

[Øivind Tøien]

The aperture gear on a number of Nikon 1 lens models are known to break apart. User MYDC who posts at DPreview 's Nikon 1 forum can supply replacement metal gears, and has also provided a repair service for replacement. With a quick search for MYDC and Nikon 1 I found this page:
https://shop.mydc.com.tw/en/nikon/76-nikon-1-lens-aperture-metal-gear.html
and a DPreview report thread on the repairs:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4661198

[richardHaw]

Sorry I wasn't clear, I was referring to it the image quality
Mine has really good Center sharpness and performance but the edges are beyond horrible

I think I've managed to readjust it so it is a little bit more acceptable but still yuck...

I was initially contemplating on the metal cogs but upon seeing how delicate the other gear is, I stuck to the plastic ones I don't want to risk wearing the other one because it will be impossible for me to replace them.

[Øivind Tøien]

This aligns with performance of the AW version of the 10mm f/2.8. Sharp in the middle, but weak edges. I only use that lens with the Olympus fisheye converter for underwater use. Together they become a nearly rectilinear lens, and edges are quite acceptable.

With respect to the cog fix, I have wondered about the combination of the metal gear with the matching plastic gear that must be present, but have seen no comments about excessive wear because of it. (The initial problem is not a wear problem but the brittle cog cracking.)

[Birna Rørslett]

My sample of the 10mm f/2.8 is much better than what Richard and Øivind describe. True, corner performance is lower than the on-axis result, and this becomes more visible for distant focus settings. However used at middle-near range, even corners aren't that bad.

Like Øivind, I'm using the 10mm f/2.8 AW1 mainly combined with the Olympus fisheye converter (he gave me the tip ...) and this lens is also quite good, albeit corners are somewhat weaker. Corner performance again is better at near range and that suits underwater shooting well

I wonder about the quality control, or lack thereof, of the cheap CX Nikkors, in particular the zoom models. The 10-30 kit lens as an eample: a decent performer if you are lucky, otherwise very mediocre. Both situations can deteriorate over time since the lenses are highly susceptible to wear. The 10mm versions stand out being much better in this respect, and the 11-27.5mm AW1 also appears to belong in this category as do the 18.5mm f/2.8 and the 32mm f/1.2.

[Øivind Tøien]

My memory might not be completely correct, after reviewing some of the first shots with the AW 10mm f/2.8, the edges are quite acceptable. It is just that the AW 11-27.5mm is out-competing it and has made me limit the use of the 10mm to mostly underwater use.

[Birna Rørslett]

We agree that the 11-27.5mm AW1 is a really good lens. It works equally well out of the water, too.

[Øivind Tøien]

Yes, and watch out for prolonged underwater use with the AW 11-27.5mm. The o-rings sealing the zoom ring are very thin and operating the zoom control ring under water is best avoided. (I know because Nikon sent me a set in error due to a mis-communication). I have seen tendencies for fogging after underwater use of the 11-27.5mm followed by exposure to a colder environment, indicating that a tiny amount of water was able to get past those lens seals near the front without causing flooding. Thus I limit the underwater use of the AW 11-27.5mm lens to shorter dips, kayaking etc., while when snorkeling I always use the AW 10mm with Olympus fisheye converter. That combination also has the benefit of focusing closer than either of the two lenses used alone.

[Birna Rørslett]

Indeed. I have several of the 11-27.5 AW1  lenses, and one of them leaked enough to make it malfunction permanently. The others are OK as long as they aren't zoomed too much while submerged. Some times there is slight visible condensation on the front element that has to be dried out.

[richardHaw]

i will have to rewrite this. my lens is now sharp after adjustments

[richardHaw]

shit! a total rewrite after I have adjusted the focus! it's now much sharper! I have left commentaries on how I did it. 
https://richardhaw.com/2025/07/17/repair-1-nikkor-10mm-f-2-8/