Been hearing this both ways for years… “If you have your camera anchored on a tripod shut off the VR”. “no no no…it doesn’t matter, leave it on!” Opinions please….
📷 on tripod…VR on or off?🤷🏼‍♀️
- Thread starter Larry S.
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SoCalRick
Well-known member
This has been discussed a few times before (try searching for "stabilization", or IBIS, etc.). Here is one thread that answer's your question (as well as some other related questions): Turn off image stabilization at high shutter speeds?
I think the majority consensus has been to keep VR turned on all of the time. But it doesn't hurt to try it out both ways and see what gives you the best results.
For me, I leave it on all of the time, and only go back and experiment with turning it off if I start seeing some weird results in what I am shooting.
I think the majority consensus has been to keep VR turned on all of the time. But it doesn't hurt to try it out both ways and see what gives you the best results.
For me, I leave it on all of the time, and only go back and experiment with turning it off if I start seeing some weird results in what I am shooting.
Mainly +1.
Nikon VR capability and operation has moved on significantly in the over 20 years since the 80-400 the first Nikon F mount lens with in-lens VR was launched.
"Mainly"is because there are older lenses not very good at detecting low level vibration on a tripod, and DSLR mirror movement affects older camera bodies.
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Thanks….I’ve kept it on pre-Z era but the chatter re-surfaces from time to time. Curious about other’s experiences…. IBIS seems to be a quantum leap from the lens barrel switch w/DSLRs. I’ll look at that earlier thread…….
I'm in the 'leave VR Sport on all the time' camp with the exception of certain situations like longer time exposure landscapes, astro or focus stacked macro photos from a solid support.
IBIS is definitely a great addition especially with wider angle lenses and lenses that lack internal VR. But remember that the lens barrel switch is still the control that enables or disables IBIS when a lens with such a switch is mounted. When you have both IBIS and internal lens VR they're both controlled by that same switch so it's an all or nothing situation and you can't enable one but not the other with Nikon mirrorless cameras.
Garfield
Well-known member
I leave VR on all the time, but set to "active/sport" when on a tripod, "normal" when hand holding.
PCRATE
Member
I leave VR off except when needed at what would be determined as slow shutter speeds for the lens focal length I'm using. Nikon's published opinion regarding tripod use is if the tripod head is unlocked VR can be used. If the tripod head is locked VR should not be used.
This is one of those times when you need to do your own assessment. Do a few tests yourself and compare the outcome, it’s not difficult.
Ultimately it’s up to you what looks right.
Ultimately it’s up to you what looks right.
KrĂĽmelkraft
Well-known member
I think the answer is: It depends on the lens.
And this automatically leads to the post of Steve W.
And this automatically leads to the post of Steve W.
Webbie!
Member
When I shoot a bracket or focus stack, I turn VR off, no matter the lens.
Why? There is a slight shift with each photo when VR is on. When combining those images, they will not line up precisely. While one can use auto align in Lightroom or Photoshop, the results are not as sharp as having all the photos align naturally.
If it’s a single photo, I have not seen a difference using VR on a tripod with a Z8.
Why? There is a slight shift with each photo when VR is on. When combining those images, they will not line up precisely. While one can use auto align in Lightroom or Photoshop, the results are not as sharp as having all the photos align naturally.
If it’s a single photo, I have not seen a difference using VR on a tripod with a Z8.
For me it’s always on unless doing focus bracketing then I’ll normally turn it off for that.