Vibration Reduction question

[keith_jackson3]

<p>I recently purchased my first VR Nikon lens. It is the basic 18-55 3.5/5.6 AF-S DX VR. When I first started using it, I didn't really notice a lot of difference, but then today I noticed that the VR was turned off. Once I switched it on, it seemed like the shutter operated a lot slower than normal. Is it just part of how the VR itself works that it seems that way? Thanks.</p>

[tangibleimages]

<p>In some situations, depending on the focus/release priority settings in your camera VR can take some time to spool up and your camera might not release the shutter until the image is stabilized.</p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>It does take a moment for the VR to spin up and stabilize the optics, yes. Just partially depress the shutter button, and as you're composing/focusing, the VR will kick in. You should be able to actually see the stabilization effects through the viewfinder (but you'll notice it more at the 55mm end of the lens's range).</p>

[keith_jackson3]

<p>I may not have been exactly clear in what I meant by it acted slower. What I meant was that from the time the mirror went up and I lost the viewfinder to the time it came back down seemed longer.</p>

[daverhaas]

<p>The shutter taking longer to respond (ie - mirror return speed) should not be impacted by VR - in fact I don't think I've ever noticed a lag - unless of course the shutter speed was slower...</p>

<p>Dave</p>

 

[andylynn]

<p>Is there an auto mode that will go to a slower shutter when VR is turned on?</p>

[Peter_in_PA]

<blockquote>

<p>Is there an auto mode that will go to a slower shutter when VR is turned on?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>No. The user is possibly not pre-focusing. I mean... depressing the shutter halfway then engaging when ready. I've used VR lenses for years, and whether you're using them VR or not makes no difference in this regard.</p>

[roger_howe2]

<p>Go to Thom Hogan's website (www.bythom.com), and look up his article entitled "All About VR."</p>

[kohanmike]

<p>I have three VR lenses and none feel like they lag to me. I never even think about it, I just shoot knowing that the VR is active and doing the job. In fact, I actually don't notice the stabilization effect until I edit the photos later and see that the lens without VR has a lot more photos with shake problems than the lens with VR.</p>

[keith_jackson3]

<p>I think that I am going to have to do some more testing and playing around with it later this week if I get the chance. On a related note, is there a field in the Exif data where it will say if VR was on or off, or is it dependent on the camera and/or lens manufacturer? Thanks.</p>

 

[keith_jackson3]

<p>Well from doing some testing this morning, it appears that the VR is working, but it does seem like it takes longer for the mirror to go up and down. As long as it is working, it doesn't really matter, but I just wanted to make sure that everything is okay.</p>

 

[Matt Laur]

<p>Do you have a second battery to test with? I suppose it's possible that with VR on, the camera is pumping more battery power to the VR system in the lens, and that reduces the current available to the mirror-flapping solenoid, making that mechanism a touch less nimble. Just speculating, here! But it's easy to test with another battery.</p>

[keith_jackson3]

<p>That is definitely a possibility. I was working on taking some photos for my class today and I noticed that the battery was getting low. I guess I can swap it out with my other one to test. Then again, I could test the lens on another body while I am at it.</p>

 

[keith_jackson3]

<p>I tired it using another battery today and it seems like it works like it should. Now all I need to do is to recharge the other one and make sure that it was just because the battery was almost discharged rather than it being bad. Thanks for all the help.</p>