I received the following email from Nikon today.

Notice to users of the Semi-soft case CL-L2

Because you are a valued customer using a Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED lens, we wanted to personally write you to make sure you were aware of a recent technical service advisory issued on the Semi-soft case CL-L2 case included with the lens (and sold seperately).

It has recently come to our attention that select components incorporated in some CL-L2 Semi-soft cases may be compromised. This may result in cracking of the bottom of the case. In a worst-case scenario, the bottom of the case may fail. Should a failure occur, the case's contents would be subject to release and possible damage. Nikon has studied this issue thoroughly and steps have been taken to effectively correct this issue, assuring the quality of CL-L2 Semi-soft cases going forward.

Recognizing the possible problem that may affect some number of CL-L2 Semi-soft cases, Nikon will replace cases affected by this issue free of charge. In addition, Nikon will take what it has learned from this event, applying it to quality assurance measures that will contribute to the prevention of similar events in the future.

The CL-L2 Semi-soft case is supplied with the AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED, and available separately for use with 400mm, 500mm, and 600mm AF-S or AF-I ED lenses.

This issue does not apply to CL-L2 Semi-soft cases with a "T" (in one of 2 variations) imprinted on the bottom of the case. These products meet Nikon quality and durability standards, and replacement is not needed.

To obtain a replacement CL-L2 Semi-soft case:
If you own a CL-L2 Semi-soft case affected by this issue (without a "T" imprinted on the bottom of the case), please follow the return information available from our website at: http://www.nikonusa.com/cl-l2 or contact the Nikon Customer Relations Department toll-free at 800-645-6687. Calls will be received Monday through Friday, between the hours of 6am-4pm, PDT.

A Customer Relations agent will confirm that your CL-L2 Semi-soft case is affected by this issue and arrange for its return to Nikon, at Nikon's expense. When the affected case is received by Nikon, a replacement CL-L2 Semi-soft case will be shipped to you free of charge. It may be necessary for the Nikon Service Relations agent to request personal information in connection with the CL-L2 replacement process. Such information will not be used for any other purpose.

Nikon thanks you for making our brand an integral part of your photographic system and regrets any inconvenience this issue may have caused.


Sincerely,
Image
Richard Houghton
Senior Manager Customer Relations

John--Amazing. That may be the first case recall I've ever heard of. I can't say I use the case for my 200-400 much (it's normally in my MP-3 or a Roller bag) but I suppose it is worth exchanging it so that if I ever sell the lens the new owner will have one free of the problem.

Nice that they're being proactive & doing a recall at their expense to deal with the issue. Thanks for passing along the info!--David

John, I also thank you for the heads up, I'm going to check out my case when I get home tonight.

Dan

I just finished reading the same email. Sounds like they are doing a good job of stepping up to the plate.

For our part as owners, IMHO it reinforces our own responsibility to register our equipment with their website. Hope I never have to test it out, but another reason I've been careful to keep my equipment registered with Nikon is in the event it's ever lost or stolen it just gives me that much more documentation for the insurance company.

A silver lining to this recall is that when I reread the letter I got in email (and John was kind enough to post here) I noticed that the same case can be used for the 600. Somehow I never thought about or noticed that. But it might make a great case for my truck when I want to bring along the 600 (my 200-400 and pretty much everything else lives in my MP-3). I was also bringing along my MP-1 with the 600 but that's kind of a lot of cases:-) And the LowePro LensTrekker I have is huge so I had to drag that if I don't have to.

I think once I get my replacement CL-L2 I'll definitely see how the 600 fits and perhaps make the case it's permanent home (except for when I fly with it when it needs to go in the MP-1 or get checked in a hard-sided roller).--David

I just got my shipping carton and mailing label. Does anyone know if they just want the shell back, or do you send the whole case, including straps and inner linings?

John--I was actually wondering the same thing (although my label hasn't gotten here yet). My plan was to see if there were instructions asking for everything and if not to just send the shell back.--David

According to Nikon's service advisory, if you have any questions, call Nikon Customer Relations Department toll-free at 800-645-6687. Calls will be received Monday through Friday, between the hours of 6am-4pm, PDT.

No instructions were included, just a return shipping label. Guess I'll call them on Monday, and will let you know what they say.

I just got off the phone with Nikon and they said to return "just the pouch". I asked a second time just to be sure and specified should I take off the straps and pull out the liners and padding. Again, he said to return "just the pouch".

Well, guess I'll follow instructions and send back just the outer shell case itself and hope for the best.

John--FWIW, my general rule is to send back less rather than more whenever I need to send anything in. I figure the more pieces I send back the more chance one won't get properly returned:-)--David

I registered on the net, about a week ago. Haven't heard anything from them yet. My bag is one of the so called bad ones, it seems okay to me. But what the heck, back it goes.

I put just the shell of the case in the supplied box and delivered it to FedEx on Tuesday. This morning (Friday) at 8 am a new case, complete with inner pads and separate case for the front protective glass was delivered to my doorstep.

Can't beat that for service.

Sent mine in yesterday, hope I get the same fast service.

Yup, they came through in flying colors, about 10 days from the time I sent the old case till I got the new one. They told me to take out all the old guts (padding) which I did; when they sent the new case it came complete with new stuff (padding), go figure. Anyway great turn around, way to go Nikon!

I meant to mention that my new case came also. Since I don't have the old one to compare I can't really say what is different (never used the old one much, so never ran into any trouble).

I agree that it was a very professional and proactive way to handle whatever the issue was. Anyone need an extra set of pads for a case?

The best part as I mentioned before is now I know that the case will hold my 600f/4. It is a whole lot smaller than a Lens Trekker, so when it is in my truck I can have my MP-3 with the rest of my gear and this case with my 600 and be all set.

For travel with the 600 I still use my MP-1 of course or check in my large LowePro Roller.--David

Got my replacement case a few days ago -- complete with a new set of padding! Looks like the one wrap around piece is bigger than the one I already have. So, another extra set of padding. And, another round zipper case. I feel foolish even asking, but what originally came in that zipper case? I bought my 200-400 slightly used and never asked the previous owner what that case was for. Did a filter come with the lens originally? Anyone know?

But, it was a stand-up way to handle the recall - no muss, no fuss. Just a complete new case.

Ya, I wondered the same thing. The only thing I could think of is that it is for the internal filter when you remove it to put in a polar or other filter in. I didn't get one of those cases when I got the lens new, so I looked at it as another freebie from Nikon. Thanks Nikon!

Blondie gets the trivia prize. Yes, it is a case for drop-in filters. FWIW, my drop-ins live in a plastic "hard shell" case that lives in one of the mesh pouches of my MP-3 (or MP-1 if need be) most of the time, but if you did use the Nikon case in the field you could absolutely store your drop-in filters in the zippered case.--David

Actually, this case is for the lens protective glass that screws on to the front of the lens. Nikon recommends that this meniscus glass remains on the lens at all times unless you are taking a picture that includes "a bright light source" in which case "removing this glass may reduce ghost images". When you do remove this glass from the front of the lens you can "store the glass in the case provided." (Nikon 200-400 instruction manual - page 21 item 9 in the English part.)

OOps, looks like I better start reading the manuals that come with my lens, I usually don't read them. After all it's only a lens, Ha; just put em on and shoot away. I don't have time to read lens manuals, I'm usually up to my neck reading the camera body book.