Vibration Reduction

[rpcrowe]

I see no reason to turn off my IS when shooting sports using a monopod (with a tripod it would depend on the lens used).

The 300mm f/4L IS lens provides very viable sports images when the Image Stabilization is turned on.





However, if your lens has a mode in which panning is possible (such as the Canon Mode 2 on its IS equipped lenses) I would suggest using that mode to allow some panning when desired or needed...

[Dave Humphries]

Regarding the use of VR at higher shutter speeds; I did some tests; as I recall, about 10 shots each (VR on and VR off) handheld of a scene with my Nikon 70-300mm, ss was varied between 1/500s and 1/1500s. These choices because they are typical of what I shoot at.

Again from memory, 5/10 were acceptable with VR off and 6/10 were acceptable with VR on - tests done, I now leave VR on at all shutter speeds and don't worry anymore

HTH,

[AB26]

Hi Bruce,

I thank you for this thread. It really made me do some research on OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation).

The conclusion I came to is:
Most of the problems with VR/IS turned on, on a tripod seem to be for exposures longer than 1 sec.
Some Photographers have never had any problems with VR/IS turned on while mounted on a tripod and some seem to have problems with “creeping”.
With Nikon VR2 there seem to be no problems.
Sony seems to beat both Nikon and Canon with OIS as no report of Sony doing any “weird” things with OIS turned on can be found.
Recommendation: Get a Sony or switch VR/IS off for exposures longer than 1 sec: tripod, bean bag, rock or whatever is used. With high shutter speeds there seem to be no issues. (Dave has also referred to it).

VR/IS consumes a lot of power and if you are shooting with a camera that is hungry for power (like my D200) leave VR/IS off until really needed in low light conditions. Otherwise save yourself a lot of money buying lenses without VR/IS and use the good old tripod method. Canon’s low noise with high ISO might also benefit without IS. (Sorry the Canon is beter than Nikon with high ISO, low noise. IMHO. )

[neildon]

Here's an idea:

Place camera and lens on tripod
Delayed Timer
VR on
take shot
VR off
take shot
see if there's a difference

Amen. We need to get to know our equipment by testing it in real-world situations according to the way we shoot. In that way, we become masters of the tools of our craft rather than slaves to the latest techno-babble.

[AB26]

Amen. We need to get to know our equipment by testing it in real-world situations according to the way we shoot. In that way, we become masters of the tools of our craft rather than slaves to the latest techno-babble.

Now that makes a lot of sense!