"Never turn VR on unless it's actually needed."

[MrLogic]

Article by Thom Hogan in which he tries to explain Nikon's Vibration Reduction system... and when (not) to use it:

Nikon VR explained


One of the main points: VR should normally be off if your shutter speed is above 1/500 s (according to Hogan) or 1/250 (according to some other (unnamed) photographers).

Thoughts?

 

[Big Mike]

It makes sense.

This can be especially important on the Canon EF-S 17-55mm F2.8 IS. I know several pro wedding photographers who own (and love) this lens, but most of them have found that the IS system dies after a year or two of heavy (professional) use. It can be replaced/repaired, but I don't know anyone who has had their 70-200mm IS die on them.

The solution seems to be using the IS, only when needed. And with such a short lens, it's really isn't needed all that often.

 

[cnutco]

Nice read, THANKS!

 

[Goontz]

Good find. Thanks!

 

[jeph]

That was great.

 

[ghache]

great reading.

seriously, i am using my 50mm more than i use my 18-105 and i rarely have problem with out of focus picture or camera shake. even at 1/50 1/60 (shouldn go lower with a 50mm lens)

 

[Joves]

Well I pretty much have to agree with them. I have pretty much quit using VR unless Im below 1/250 and, if I do use it at 1/250 it is only as the photo is shot as opposed to Full Time. THis is with handheld shots ofcourse. On my tripod I have only used it when my shutter speeds were very low due to lighting and, again on Mode1. I personally havent liked the results from Mode2 on my 80-400. Personally I wont buy a VR lens that is below 200mms, I just dont see a need for it myself. Good holding technique will work better than VR. Now granted for some people who have some problem with steady holding due to physical problems I imagine it is a God send so, then I can see a reason for it.

 

[mrpink]

I always wondered what happend to the background in this photo...

"Busy bokeh" caused by VR could explain it.



good read, one more thing to cram into my brain.




p!nK

 

[MrLogic]

I always wondered what happend to the background in this photo...

"Busy bokeh" caused by VR could explain it.

Here's an alternate POV:

VR: Why you should turn it off when it's not needed [Page 1]: Nikon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

^ That thread is where Hogan got his "inspiration" from. See page 4 of that same thread for a discussion of the article.

 

[Garbz]

Here's a thought, why is this even questioned? VR is an incredible battery leech. Image quality issues aside you should turn it off when not needed.

 

[Overread]

I wonder if this is true for IS as well - I've never really heard of it before now (and I always assumed most of the pros on the sports run had the lens on tripods/monopods for the match so only panning VR/IS modes would be needed at the most).

As for batteries I do agree it does drain, but a full day shooting, 2000odd images and IS on all the time and with a batterygrip no problems

 

[Goontz]

Here's a thought, why is this even questioned? VR is an incredible battery leech. Image quality issues aside you should turn it off when not needed.

Did you even click the link, though? I agree with your point, but the article itself discusses much more detail about how VR works and such than just "don't use it unless you need it."

 

[gsgary]

I said this a long time ago IS does nothing above 1/250

 

[farmerj]

Read the Lens manual it will tell you the same information.
http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/lenses/DX/AF-SDX16-85_3.5-5.6G.pdf

 

[cfusionpm]

I said this a long time ago IS does nothing above 1/250

Just gonna throw out there that it does stablize the viewfinder for composing shots; even if the image is being taken at 1/1000 or so. When I was shooting an air show with my old 70-300 IS, I was talking to a fellow shooter next to me who was using a 70-200 non-IS with a 2x TC, which he let me mount and use for a few shots. I had no issues tracking flight paths and snapping shots free handed with mine, but without IS, I found it extremely difficult to follow them and keep them in frame. Granted its kind of a specific case (heavy body/lens combo, no tripod, looking up 45º or more), but it's still something to think about.