Nikon lens 55-200mm zoom ring stuck - Nikon Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 G AF-S Lens

SOURCE: Parts and service manual of Nikon ED AFNikkor 80-200mm 1:2.8 D zoom lens

Nikon Parts
841 Apollo Street, Suite 100, El Segundo CA 90245
(310) 414-8107, (310) 322-6979

SOURCE: My nikon 55-200 zoom lens is stuck at full zoom

Don't force it.
Did you get dust or dirt in it?
The only solution is to bring it in for service or send it to Nikon if it is a USA model.
Nikon USA will NOT repair any gray market items.

SOURCE: zoom stuck, and loose ring of plastic in the

Your lens is totally beyond economic repair, sorry. I've looked into repairing the same fault on this lens before. It's only the basic kit lens as supplied with the camera so it was built with low cost as an overriding primary concern and no real thought for future repairs or spares availability.

The good news is that there are normally a fair number of these lenses both used and brand new at relatively low prices. many owners sell the kit version to upgrade to a better lens and many retailers often have new unboxed (usually ex-display) kit lenses for around 30% less than the new and boxed versions.

SOURCE: Nikkor 18-200 mm VR with loose front ring and stuck zoom barrel

Unfortunately not. If the Nikon centre think it's been dropped, then you're stuck. They may well think so due to additional wear and damage caused as the initial fault progressed; this may well resemble the damage caused when a lens is dropped. You should really have sent it for repair as soon as the fault occurred.

All you can do is to write a letter of complaint to Nikon, asking them to intervene on your behalf with their authorised repair centre. It will help if you tell them how long you've been loyal to Nikon for and what other Nikon products you own; also state that if you must buy another lens that your money will instead go to one of their competitors instead and that when you replace your camera you will think hard before purchasing from Nikon again. It also helps if you tell them that you were well aware that you would be charged for any repairs caused by misuse, such as dropping your lens, and so would not have bothered to try and claim under warranty under such circumstances as it wasn't worth the risk of having to pay a big bill just to get a broken lens returned to you. Tell them that you have not dropped the lens and so you dispute their findings, and at the very least request that the lens is returned to you without charge so that you can get the lens examined by an independent repairer.

As long as your letter is polite, factual and states your argument clearly then you maximise your chances of getting them to revise their position to give you the benefit of any doubt.

Good luck.

Testimonial: "Good honest reply and very constructive ideas for what to include in a "polite letter of complaint"."

SOURCE: nikon 80 - 400 vr, have to pull lens out to zoom,

Try sending it to PhotoTech Repair Service in NYC. They are Nikon authorized, and can do the repair under warranty if you still have it. Also if you join they're facebook page, they will give you a 10% discount.
Here is the facebook page link, it has everything you need to send it in.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/PhotoTech-Repair-Service-Inc/102527215194