Nikon.........no I do not want to send the lens in for a screw replacement

[Flash]

Got a 2.8 80-200 ED Zoom. The front of the lens where the distance setting is located has two little black screws. One of them fell out. I have called Nikon and a Nikon authorized repair center and BOTH want me to send in the lens.
Now I am a fair mechanic and do it yourselfer and can pretty much handle putting in a screw. I would like, not to have to give up the lens. Does anyone know of a place that might be willing to send a replacement screw to me?

 

[trenchmonkey]

I'd bring the lens to one of those "same day" eyeglass joints. They probably have the screw you need on hand.

 

[Flash]

Good idea. I use to work with eyeglasses. I should have remembered that.

 

[Flash]

Trenchmonkey, thank you sir. I went in and found a bunch of my cheater glasses that have broken in hopes of finding screw. My wife came out with a small mini clock she had that had small screws also. Clock did not work anymore and I found the other screw fit right in place and tighten down nicely. It is a little more of a raised head than the original but appears to be working fine. Thanks for the idea. Oh and the wife expects a Chicken Wing dinner out in Cedar Key this evening now.

 

[Palouse]

Oh and the wife expects a Chicken Wing dinner out in Cedar Key this evening now.

What a deal: $80 for Nikon's parts and labor, $45 for shipping, handling and insurance, and 10 days without the lens. You married smart!

 

[trenchmonkey]

Trenchmonkey, thank you sir. I went in and found a bunch of my cheater glasses that have broken in hopes of finding screw. My wife came out with a small mini clock she had that had small screws also. Clock did not work anymore and I found the other screw fit right in place and tighten down nicely. It is a little more of a raised head than the original but appears to be working fine. Thanks for the idea. Oh and the wife expects a Chicken Wing dinner out in Cedar Key this evening now.

My pleasure, glad you persevered!

What a deal: $80 for Nikon's parts and labor, $45 for shipping, handling and insurance, and 10 days without the lens. You married smart!

Amen!!

 

[Flash]

Really, what a bunch of maroons.
Chicken wings were great, along with a couple of Mudslides. Hey, it's hot here in Florida.

 

[WayneF]

Larger hardware stores often have a good assortment of smaller metric screws.

Home Depot has some, in the pull out drawers, but not so much the tiny ones.

 

[480sparky]

Hobby stores that sell RC cars & planes usually have those über-tiny screws as well.

 

[Palouse]

I've cannibalized old laptops/desktops for small fasteners, bolts, screws, etc.

 

[Terri French]

I needed the knob to tighten the tripod collar on my 70-200 f2.8 VR version 1. I got the same issue...Nikon wanted me to send in the lens and said it would cost between $70 to $300 to fix. A nice cafe member in Canada purchased the knob for me from Nikon Canada for $18. In about 10 seconds I was able to insert the screw of the know and tighten it. So crazy that they can't offer these simple replacement parts. I'm so grateful for a very nice forum mate for helping me out!!