In article <4qccnm$27g@newsreader.wustl.edu>, marshallc@wuolin.wustl.edu says... [most deleted]

>My concern with this lens is that the front element seems loose.
>This is my first zoom lens, but it doesn't seem right to me. The
>pictures seem OK, but I really have nothing to compare them with.
>Is this a problem? Should I send the lens back? Should I go ahead
>and upgrade? Is it just my lens or all of this model or all zooms?

Welcome to the, uh, er, " w o n d e r f u l " world of Auto-Focus
lenses.... (the ones that are instantly identifiable by their
floppy/loose front glass, insubstantial-feeling plastic barrels,
and less-than-silky-smooth aperture and focus rings). Sorry, but
the camera manufacturers (even Nikon!) took the opportunity, when
introducing the new AF series of lenses, to make the lens barrels
more cheaply (and, unfortunately, cheaper feeling). Some Nikkor
AF lenses feel OK (though not as good as any MF Nikkor lens),
but if you want high-quality feel and appearance, stick with
Nikkor AI and AIS Manual-Focus lenses. The AF lenses work fine,
and seem to be durable (though not if you like to keep your
lenses in mint condition and also use them, alas), but the
word that comes to mind when I use them is, "YUCK!".
Hope This Helps