22 replies to this topic

[wedgtail]

I switch my vr off some times when i am working with manual focus I find I get sharper pics that way

[nbanjogal]

Also a good idea to turn it off if you're using a tripod.

[Gordo]

Personally, I don't use VR unless I need it.  It stays OFF otherwise.  Usually as my shutter speeds drop to near the "hand-holdable" speed for the lens - like 1/200s for a 200mm.  A bit higher if I'm tired or shakey or it's really windy etc...  And definitely OFF while on a tripod.

[Merco_61]

I find that with short exposures VR on can degrade the sharpness. I think that the VR tries to compensate for the small resonance from the mirror raising and overcompensating exactly when the shutter opens. VR stays off, unless ISO is maxed out and I need a stop more time than I am comfortable with handholding.

[scoobymax]

Same here, unless it's absolutely needed it stays off!

[Stas]

Hm. I didn't know that vr decrease quality of photo. I thought it's just gives you a possibility to shoot on longer exposures without tripod. Am I wrong?

Can you make few photos with tripod and with vr on and off? It would be interesting to compare them.

[Thumper]

I usually keep mine off unless I am trying for a shot handheld with slower shutter speeds.

[PrettyCranium]

Hmm, I usually leave mine on as I have a fine tremor.  Maybe I should try a few shots with it off, though, and compare.

[Gordo]

Hmm, I usually leave mine on as I have a fine tremor.  Maybe I should try a few shots with it off, though, and compare.

 

I'm not nearly as steady as I used to be, and find that at some times I use VR earlier than others, especially with longer focal lengths.  Just depends on how I'm doing that day.  I sometimes need double the focal length in shutter speed.  Generally speaking though, on anything but super-telephotos, I don't turn VR ON for shutter speeds at 1/500s or faster.  (And I now tend to use monopods and tripods more than before.)

[Verglace]

When I had lenses that had VR I used to turn it off, besides for my Tamron 70-300 DI VC, that VR on that thing is amazing the viewfinder just freezes! I find VR doesnt really help me on shorter focal lenghts less than 150mm.

[iNYONi]

I've been using my Nikon 70-300 today with VR turned on and I can see a slight reduction in quality. I hadnt thought that this would have been an issue until now.

[TBonz]

With my monopod, I normally have VR on and haven't had issues.  I remember hearing that the first version of VR in the 200-400 and on some other lenses was better off when on a monopod, and I turned it off on that version when I rented it.  If I get the chance to shoot on Saturday, I'll try with VRII on and off to see if I notice any difference.  Friday night is a playoff game against the neighboring school so I expect I'll do what I normally do and not play around...but, you never know

[Russ]

There are theories "out there" that it should be off when faster than 1/500s, something to do with its sampling frequency of the vr system or something else technical like that.

 

YOu  may like to read this article all about VR: http://www.bythom.com/nikon-vr.htm

[cowleystjames]

I only use my VR if hand holding lens below the lens speed. ie, 300mm F2.8, VR on if below 1/500 sec, but off if on tripod. 200-400 F4 on if below 1/500sec, on below, I apply the same logic to all my lenses

[Serge]

When I used to have VR lenses I always switched it off. Now I don't have any with this feature, so no problems

In general you sholdn't use VR when shooting sports - it won't freeze movement, when panning, using tripod also turn it off.

[Talv]

why does turning it off on tripods improve image quality? what is it that vr does that degrades image quality?

[Merco_61]

why does turning it off on tripods improve image quality? what is it that vr does that degrades image quality?

Thom Hogan has a very well written article about how VR works, or rather not works sometimes. Russ tried to get us to read it in post 13 in this thread.

 

To simplify: Tripods are too stable for the VR to work, but it still tries to. An optical element that moves erratically degrades image quality. With short exposures the VR tries to smooth out the resonances from raising the mirror, but the vibrations aren't there anymore when the shutter opens.

[Talv]

Thom Hogan has a very well written article about how VR works, or rather not works sometimes. Russ tried to get us to read it in post 13 in this thread.

 

To simplify: Tripods are too stable for the VR to work, but it still tries to. An optical element that moves erratically degrades image quality. With short exposures the VR tries to smooth out the resonances from raising the mirror, but the vibrations aren't there anymore when the shutter opens.

 

Ahh i missed this earlier in the thread thank you!

[alden]

I will try some shots with out the VR on. I only have one VR lens, a 55-300mm, and see if it sharpens up any. 

 

I have been shooting with it on all the time, and it has produced very very sharp images for me in all focal lengths. 

[K-9]

I will only use it indoors in low light.