While on holiday this summer noticed my Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR lens wasn't focusing properly.  Specifically, the focusing ring did a lot of wandering before locking into focus.  When in dim light and/or using a polarizer, however, the lens quite often couldn't attain focus at all.  At first chalked this up to normal behavior.  But over the course of the summer it got to the point where all focusing with the lens had to be done manually.

A couple weeks ago called the Nikon Service Center in Melville, NY to discuss my issue and options for fixing it.  From the moment the customer service rep answered the phone could tell this would be a positive experience.  He was helpful, knowledgeable, and "on shore" to boot.  But then after several minutes of conversaton he dropped the bombshell; he said Nikon warrants their US purchased lenses for 5 years.  Wow!  And given this lens was purchased last year in 2006 the rep said all I had to do was pack it (with a copy of my receipt), ship it (insured) to the Nikon Service Center, and they would take care of the rest.

After shipping it to Nikon via UPS ground on Friday, September 14 it arrived back yesterday.  All told it was returned in less than two weeks and only cost me the $23 shipping fee to send it to Nikon.

According to the packing slip the lens repair invovled (1) replacing the SWM (Silent Wave Motor) and focusing ring, (2) adjustment of several lens components, and (3) a thorough check and cleaning.  Once out of the box gave the lens a thorough test on my Nikon D70s in both bright and dim light and found it to work perfectly!  It even looks new!

Seems odd after all the cameras, lens, et al I've owned and all the images taken over the years to have never had an item that required repair.  Certainly happy this first experience was so painless.  Thanks, Nikon.