I have a Nikon 17-35 f2.8 that I picked up used. Great lens as some of you may know, but when it autofocuses and needs to adjust a good bit, I'm hearing a high pitched squeaking noise. When it is close to being in focus, it doesn't make that noise. I've done some research and it looks like this is a common problem with these lenses, but nobody can really agree on the source of the problems. Some people have used them while squeaking for years, some say that their motors shut down after they start hearing it.

My question is, has anybody had this problem on this lens or a similar AF-S lens? If so, did you send it in to repair or was it fixed. I've thought about sending it to NIkon (pricey), but a local camera shop also recommended that I let them try to lube it up (a little less pricey). So, kind of at a crossroads.

Any info would help!

Umm well this answer is totally unreliable but....
I was under the impression that all lenses with that auto-focus system-Sigma HSM, Canon USM or Nikon SWM- make that noise when they auto-focus...because every time I've been with anyone using them I hear it...which makes me think that doesn't indicate a problem necessarily. I'm pretty sure thats just the sound of the lens doing it's thing...

Ive never heard a noise come from any of my nikkors or sigmas


???

Wahoo, you're talking about something like a mosquito tone, right?
Honestly I was under the impression that that is the sound all of the non-really-noisy motors make. Come to think of it, I've never heard a lens with that type of motor not make the mosquito tone...

But anyway as latazyo said

???

Yeah, it's a real high pitched sound. It's infamous apparently on these lenses. Guess I'll deal!

yeah i think its just the motor whining. ever press a drill throttle the tiniest bit? it makes a little high pitched noise. i think thats what it is.

heres a test, cover up the lens and try to auto focus, does the lens go all the way to infinity and back to 0?

if it does, then it might be something else. but if it doesnt and makes a high pitch noise, then theres something wrong with the lens. my friend has the 70-200 VR F2.8 and his lens has that problem. when it goes to infinity it doesnt know how to return to zero and the motor just whines and have this really high pitch noise.

i would send it in to nikon and not have some guy take an expensive lens apart to lube it. might as well have it done right the first time than try to save some money but end up spending more instead.