O
Well-known member
Thank you for your reply, Noted, kindest regards
Nikon 500 PF and VR
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Thank you for your reply, Noted, kindest regards
Morgan.chong
New member
Just picked up a used 500mm PF to replace my 200-500mm when I don't need the flexibility of a zoom. I am noticing switching the VR settings produces no change in the viewfinder where I see a noticeable difference with my 200-500mm.
I tested it on a D3 and the VR is activated when I use BBF and half press the shutter. When I try this with my z7. the shutter doesn't activate the VR.
I tested it on a D3 and the VR is activated when I use BBF and half press the shutter. When I try this with my z7. the shutter doesn't activate the VR.
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With f mount lenses on Z cameras the VR never turns off. As soon as you turn it on the VR goes active. That's why you don't see a change when you activate AF. Put your ear to the lens and turn the camera on. You should be able to hear the VR activate.
O
Well-known member
I turn VR off always as a rule until needed, Note different lenses from different generations and manufactures perform vastly differently.
Depending on the frame rate i am using ie: single shot, 5 fps 11 fps 20fps also comes into play.
Usually anything 1600-2000 ss and over i switch of VR, or if its on a tripod with a gimble, again it depends on the lens and generation.
Getting to know my lens helps
ie: hold the lens by hand at 500mm with a TC 1.4 to increase the challenge, focus on a small subject close by
a) with VR turned off, with 5 fps then 11fps
b) then do the same with VR turned on 5fps then 11fps
you usually will see a varying degree of movement in the view finder.
c) in your computer compare the images taken at 100%.
Getting to know which lenses behaves or performs can vary, knowing it helps.
A test on the 70-200 F2.8 G and equivalent in Tamron saw the Tamron outperform the Nikon significantly in that generation.
Only an opinion
JoPoV
Active member
When I use my D850 + 300mm PF vr, if I don't shut down VR when up to about 1/1000s / 1/1200s I get less sharp images.
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Morgan.chong
New member
Thank you for your response. There is no sound and returned the lens this morning. The search continues.
O
Well-known member
My 300 F2.8 VR version II on the D850, i find about 1600-2000 ss is the spot i turn VR off.
On my 28-300 on the D850 much over 1000ss i turn VR off as well.
Nikon VR Version II series lenses automatically senses when its on a tripod and turns the VR off.
Using my DSLR lenses on the mirror less Z8 Z9 i just turn off the VR on the lens period.
Bottom line for myself, i agree that best practice is to turn of the lens VR for higher shutter speed use, knowing how different lenses respond can be very handy.
How the newer mirror less lenses and cameras behave i am not certain.
Only an opinion
On my 28-300 on the D850 much over 1000ss i turn VR off as well.
Nikon VR Version II series lenses automatically senses when its on a tripod and turns the VR off.
Using my DSLR lenses on the mirror less Z8 Z9 i just turn off the VR on the lens period.
Bottom line for myself, i agree that best practice is to turn of the lens VR for higher shutter speed use, knowing how different lenses respond can be very handy.
How the newer mirror less lenses and cameras behave i am not certain.
Only an opinion
Jules795
Member
Sport on 500PF. Always.
Having used more than 15 Nikon VR lenses since 2001, I am satisfied "turning VR off" is not right.
There have been numerous stages in the development of Nikon in-lens VR since 2001, with 5.5 stops now being common.
At one stage Nikon made a few higher specification lenses such as the 200-400 and from memory the 300 f 2.8 first version that detected when on a tripod and then applied a lower range of VR correction.
There seems to be no current link to VR II. Nikon did say at the time of launch VR II could detect lower frequency vibrations leading to greater VR ability.
fcotterill
Well-known member
According to Nikon, the current VR can detect a tripod
Scroll down to the explanation of VR for different contexts/subjects
Scroll down to the explanation of VR for different contexts/subjects
ニッコールレンズテクノロジー | NIKKORレンズ | ニコンイメージング
www.nikon-image.com
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Morgan.chong
New member
Just to followup, used 500mm PF are scarce where I am. I've looked at 2 used ones from reputable camera stores and the VR doesn't work on both. Is there an issue with the VR on these lenses?
ARClark
Well-known member
I’ve never heard of a 500 PF VR problem. If there have been problems, they’re not widespread. I’ll add that mine has worked flawlessly.
Thanks for the link - that when using the "global" button shows information similar to the USA/UK sites.According to Nikon, the current VR can detect a tripod
Scroll down to the explanation of VR for different contexts/subjects
ニッコールレンズテクノロジー | NIKKORレンズ | ニコンイメージング
www.nikon-image.com
I cannot find any mention current VR "can detect a tripod".
This aside I find the 500 f5.6 VR is nearly as effective as that in there 600 f6.3 VR.
This is what I can find
fcotterill
Well-known member
Hi Len
This section caught my eye, which I interpret that the Nikkors with this "Tripod Shake Correction Function" in their VR to all intents and purposes detect a tripod - impressive technology that kicks in to assist Panning at slow shutter speeds
fcotterill
Well-known member
This is the Support article I was looking for
PCRATE
Member
I accidently had it on when photographing spoonbills at high like 1/2000th and higher of a gimbal mounted D750 and 500 PF and it had a weird but light motion blur look. My normal use of VR is only when needed. I don't ever use lenses that long handheld unless it's a shot from the car window. I'm rarely seen in the field without my tripod.
Thanks.
This link indicates VR can detect very low vibration levels - probably compared to VR 2 that detected lower levels than original VR.
Unfortunately it does not say which lenses (the interesting following post is for some F mount lenses) - or when it was prepared.
Unfortunately I find some Nikon technical information can lack clarity.
Thanks for the link.
I was aware of the first group.
This seems to require the setting of a switch to get the appropriate level of VR correction on or off a tripod - though I have never owned any of the 3 lenses.
I was aware of the second group of 3 where the switching is automatic.
The technology seems to go back to at least 2004 when I bought the 200–400.
For the third group I was not aware of the detail of the enhanced VR detecting ability specifically relating to tripod use.
It seems not to be mentioned in any relevant lens instructions.
Even so many will be aware of the comment in the instructions that on a tripod, VR on is normally recommended with these lenses.
I can confirm the enhanced detail is not mentioned in the instructions for the 180–400 or 500 f 5.6 that I still own.
From memory it was not mentioned in the instructions for the 70–200 FL, the 200–500 or the 300 PF when I owned them.
I have not owned the other lenses in this third group.
Nikon may have been selling themselves short by not providing the detail of how "advanced VR" works in the Group 3 lens instruction manuals.
This leaves 3 possible questions
1/ does Nikon IBIS automatically detect if being used on a tripod?
2/ does Nikon Z lens in lens VR (on most lenses that have it) automatically detect if being used on a tripod?
3/ if yes to 2/ do all Z in lens VR lenses including perhaps the 24-200 have it?
Conjecture implies some shutter vibration and no mirror vibration to consider with the Z6 and Z7series plus Zf a Z6 III when using the mechanical shutter and no shutter issue with the Z8 or Z9 shutterless operation.
Borislav_K
New member
This is a really helpful discussion and I'm having troubles with something similar and would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on that. I just bought a used 500pf that looks basically brand new, but I'm struggling to find if the VR is working properly on my Nikon Zf, because when turning it off and on (no matter sports or normal) I see no difference at all in the viewfinder/ display. And also in the menu VR becomes grayed out, which apperantly is how F mount lenses work on Z mount bodies. And it looks quite shaky in my opinion. I can compare it only with my fuji 70-300mm where the image looks a lot smoother....yes I realize it's a lot lighter lens and perhaps stabilazing 300mm lens is a lot easier, but still. From what I've read on this thread, if there is a noise coming from the lens when turning the camera on and off it means the VR works right ? Because I can hear it, but I'm still not sure if it's actually doing something. I would appreciate your help.
I do not have a Zf.
On my Z8 sliding the F mount 500mm PF lens switch between the three position changes the Z8 IBIS/VR menu between OFF, ON and SPT for Sport.
Borislav_K
New member
Yes it changes the icon on the display, but there is absolutely no difference at all on the shakiness of the image in the viewfinder...
With the SPT option Nikon's aim is to significantly reduce or eliminate viewfinder movement.
One way to check if and how well in-lens VR is working is to take a series of sample images at perhaps 1/30, 1/60 and 1/125 of a second and to compare the sharpness at different shutter speeds.
Borislav_K
New member
yes, but since it can't be turned completely off it's hard to know if it's actually doing something...the sharpness on 1/125 is around 80-90%, at 1/60 is maybe 40-50%, but I have no idea if the VR has helped for that or not.
Sorry – I do not understand.
If the switch on the lens is set to OFF then both VR and IBIS are switched off and non-operational.
Very few can get 80–90% sharpness with a 500 mm at 1/125 if in-lens VR and IBIS is not working.
40–50% at 1/60 implies you are getting something like 3.5 stops advantage when in-lens VR/IBIS is switched on.
You may get slightly better performance ON compared to SPT.
Borislav_K
New member
Yeah, sorry maybe I wasn't that clear in what bothers me...Basically I want to know if I switch the VR on the lens from Off to either of the other two modes, should I see some change in the steadiness of the shot in the viewfinder or not ? Because there is no change at all at the moment and that's why I started to doubt if it's working or not.