[Bay Bridge Sue]

Hey you wise Camel-lions... ))grins((

Finally got the new (6 month old) 18-200 lens back from its warranty repair (and the subsequent sending back again because of dirt left INSIDE - WTH??)... Left for my spouse's art show in London, thence to Italy with my supposedly just repaired 'do all" glass...

Anyway, after about 3 days of so-so use, it starts to bind up from about 45mm on down. Really. The Focus ring binds up when the lens is widened out past 45. After hoping it will clear itself, it became obvious that the problem not only won't go away but is getting worse.

Now... This is the same lens that had the entire internal focus/zoom alignment rings (or cams or whatever) come apart LAST time I was in Europe... and now again, less than 100 pix thru this rebuilt POS thing and it takes yet another dump. Again while overseas.

Are these lenses basically just high dollar trash (at over $1000) that I should expect to come apart when I rely on them, or do I have a lemon, and is there any way I can get Nikon to make good on this, or am I burned for this thing? Needless to say I am really steamed over this. REALLY fuming mad.

Sus