Vibration Reduction

[mindforge]

I'm not sure if I have shaky hands or not but I can't shoot below 1/20th without getting blur. Now, I mean just standing without wall support taking a still with a good stance. Give me some stability like a wall and I can shoot lower.

I hear a lot of people say that they can shoot 1/5 or 1/2 from standing. I just can't get stable enough at a standing position to get that still. Some of you think, I can do that easily. Now, go out with a 200mm, set on S with 1/20 and take some shots. I just can't do it hand held.

Vibration Reduction in the G lens is awesome (I only have Nikkor G lenses with VR). I can stand shoot clean, crisp shots at 1/20 (capable of enlargements). I have not really tested the VR lens too much at 1/5 or slower because I usually shoot in the day or I am in full control of the light. Times come though, when I look down and see a 1/10 is my best option and I thank Nikon for that VR in the lens.

I just had a choice between the 24-70mm 2.8 G without VR or the 70-200mm 2.8 with VR. Because of my experience with the much less expensive 18-105mm VR Lens (kit for the d90) I was really impressed with the in lens VR and it was an easy choice. I am having trouble going back to non-VR lenses now.

Some of you might question how good the VR in the lenses are and I will tell you this.I don't have shaky hands, I have spent hundreds of hours just practicing and trying to get the right stance to shoot at slower shutter speeds -- when I first lifted a VR lens up and snapped a shot, I was entirely 100% impressed. I am not shaky, I do yoga for balance and fun (I actually like it) and I can drop multiples of 10/10 at 500 yards into a 8 inch circle with no scope with a rifle. I am steady, I do everything I can to try and get slow shutter speeds at high higher focal lengths.

If you have never used a Vibration Reduction lens, you will be amazed at the freedom it gives you in the shutter speed. I also have noticed an increase in quality from high shutter speed shots around 1/200.

[tirediron]

1/2 second hand-held? Bollocks! Generally 1/30 of a second (with a normal lens) is regarded as the limit for hand-holding and still getting crisp shots. With practice you can get it down; I'll occasionally shoot 1/15 hand-held, but not if I can avoid it, and try to stay at 1/60 or above. Both the 24-70 and 70-200 are aweseome lenses (I have both in my bag) and you're right, the VR in the 70-200 is a huge asset at times, BUT there's a reason they didn't make the 24-70 with VR. You simply don't need it.

VR is one of those technologies to which people are becoming addicted; it has it's uses, but it's NOT the be and and end all. I like to tell people that I've been VR gear since the early 80s.

[Marko]

I don't have any VR lenses but I have seen them in action and they look good.

Without VR, the rule is 1/focal length of the lens. So a 200 mm lens needs a shutter speed of 1/200 MINIMUM (I'm finding I need an extra stop for digital)

Without VR....

Most people cannot hold any lens at speeds of less than 1/60 regardless of the focal length so keep that in mind. Also even if you are super-stable, if your subject moves the shot will look soft.

Most people cannot stay still at 1/30 and slower so even if your camera is on a tripod and you are shooting a person at 1/30 the shot will still likely look soft because the person or (leaf, flower etc. in a slight outdoor breeze) is moving slightly.

Hope that helps,
Marko

[Travis]

I really the love the VR in the 70-200.... especially when used in conjunction with a tele.... it's basically the reason I passed up on the cheaper optically superior nikon 80-200 2.8.... (well.. that and the AFS)

i haven't thrown away my tripod or anything radical like that... but you certainly get more freedom with it...

really helps when you are balancing shutter speed and ISO values...

Tiredirons right though.... not much use for it with lessor focal ranges...

[mindforge]

1/2 second hand-held? Bollocks! [/URL]

Yeah, that's what I have always said. On the other hand, I secretly was harboring this feeling like "Maybe, I just shake or something. Maybe they can be that still."

My sharpest images do come from 1/60 or faster.

I know that the kit lens on the d90 (18-105) with VR is not a high quality pro lens or anything but the VR made it worth the purchase to me because I shoot a lot of family stuff indoors. I basically got the lens for in the house photography. When I get home that VR lens goes on. Also, if I am going somewhere where my camera could get stolen -- I do a lot of street photography -- then I keep the expensive lenses at home. I put the d90 kit lens on.

Ok. I know vibration reduction is not the be all end all. I shoot primarily with primes below 100mm. They are faster lenses (1.4's or 2.8's), they are less expensive (by far). My VR 18-105 would never replace my 50mm 1.4 or 24mm 2.8 etc... When I love a certain focal length, I get a prime for it.

Onto another subject is the Sony Alpha line. I like the fact that VR is built into the camera.