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kkowboy99 · Joined: 21 Jan 2012 Posts: 179 Location: Rockledge, FL

I have seen comments on the internet both ways. Should VR be turned off when using a tripod? If so, can someone explain why?

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 7:34 am

It all depends on the camera and VR is a Nikon but which one then the Nikonians can help you.

robhainer · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 2722 Location: Dallas, GA, USA

I would turn it off regardless. On many Nikon lenses, the VR machinery vibrates ever so slightly. You can actually feel it while shooting handheld. It makes a difference if you're shooting on a tripod on longer shutter speeds because the vibration could introduce motion blur. Also, it's 100 percent unnecessary to have it on while secured on a tripod.

hhltdave5 · Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 7:39 am

It depends on the lens. Some of the newer lenses having the VR turned off does not matter it will work either way. With the older lenses (about a year or two old) then the VR should be turned off.

With those lenses the way they are built they are expecting to compensate for some movement. When it is on a tripod and no movement is detected they go a little goofy (technical term :) ). So by turning it off the tripod does the work as it was designed to do.

kkowboy99 · Joined: 21 Jan 2012 Posts: 179 Location: Rockledge, FL

Wait, I thought VR meant Virbation Reduction, but you are saying it actually induces vibration? So waht good is it?

kkowboy99 · Joined: 21 Jan 2012 Posts: 179 Location: Rockledge, FL

OK, Dave that sounds good. Thanks.

b0076619 · Joined: 18 Oct 2010 Posts: 24

Try mounting the camera/lens to the tripod with VR on , put the camera in live view if it has that capability, magnify the image on the display and watch for vibration. Especially use a tethered laptop if possible. Don't be suprised if you see minute movement as the VR searches and responds. In short, you'll be better of with the VR turned off and the mirror down when on a tripod.

jhuls · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 1046

I have a canon 7d and use my 24-105mm 1:4 L lens on almost every shot I do and it doesn't seem to make any difference. I leave it on most of the time just because I forget to turn it off. But I have friends with same camera and different lenses where they have shown the results and the difference is really noticeable.

robhainer · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 2722 Location: Dallas, GA, USA

b0076619 · Joined: 18 Oct 2010 Posts: 24

My experiences that lead me to the comments above were with Nikon equipment, specifcally D300 and Nikon 18-200 DX VR with Nikon tethering SW. Other things I "saw" in my tripod journey with fully magnified live view...

-Tripod on carpet is not good especially if you stand close to one of the tripod legs and move at all!

-Use a remote shutter trigger and if you hang it on the camera/tripod somewhere, make sure you hang in to the tripod legs below the ballhead. Don't hang it on the camera.

-Use the mirror down capability, it matters.

- A speedlight mounted directly on the camera also seems to cause movement. I am not sure about this one but to be sure I remove the speedlight to a separate mount.

kkowboy99 · Joined: 21 Jan 2012 Posts: 179 Location: Rockledge, FL

B00, what do you mean by "mirror down". I know what mirror up is, but not mirror down besides just normal

pfheonixx22 · Joined: 09 May 2010 Posts: 1183 Location: ROMANIA

Turn it off!

kkowboy99 · Joined: 21 Jan 2012 Posts: 179 Location: Rockledge, FL

BTW B00, I have the exact same camera nd lens

b0076619 · Joined: 18 Oct 2010 Posts: 24

I think I may be stating it wrong, I meant have the mirror disabled so that it doesn't move when the shutter triggers. I think it is really Mirror up.

rinder99 · Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 9:50 am

I lost a great shot a few years ago because I forgot to turn it off on a tripod. My advice is always turn it off.Regardless.