Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Here is a test with a Nikon 300mm F2.8 VR done in tripod mode at 1/250 sec. Yeah, shutter speed has nothing to do with VR. Uh-huh . . . That is almost as absurd as claiming that professional sports shooters don't need tack sharp images. Do you truly believe what you write? Or are you just a Ken Rockwell in training?

http://photographylife.com/proof-that-vibration-reduction-should-first-be-stabilized

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thanks for the link.

Opinions are just that but nothing beats test data from a reliable source. I think this says it all at least for Nikon VR.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

Haven't read the whole thread yet, so forgive the repetition. There is a switch to turn it off for when using a tripod.

amehta Loc: Boston

There is a switch to turn it off when you don't want it on. There are different reasons to decide to turn it off.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

If you look a the math involved in generating the drive signal to the voice coils you will understand why this was an invalid indicator of interaction between shutter speed and effectivness of VR.

I'm not saying there isn't any, just saying you cannot test it in this manner.

MtnMan Loc: ID

As you note the tests were all done with a shutter speed at 1/250 s. The tests tell you nothing about having VR on at higher shutter speeds.

What point are you trying to make?

I had posted this link earlier. But later information makes me suspect the tests and therefore the suggestion that letting VR "stabilize" makes sense. The later information is that the Nikon system, anyway, changes the lens movement algorithm between shutter half-press and full-press.

PS: I have great respect for the work Ken Rockwell shares with us. While he also has unsupported opinions his web site far exceeds that of those who criticize him.

coco1964 Loc: Winsted Mn

And here we have the best pissing contest so far this week!! Do you really think you're helping anyone by throwing out a bunch of numbers published by a 3rd party which 90% of the people on here don't understand or for the most part could care less. Try out your VR for yourself and see how it works in different situations---I definitely know one thing it's a subject that does not need 9 pages of complication!!!

MtnMan Loc: ID

If you wish anyone to have a clue as to what message you are replying to please check "quote reply". Your message appears at the end of the list, not below the message you are looking at when you reply.

That said, we are still a long way from a clear data-based decision.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

its been a good post.

Its caused me to rethink those rare times i use vr.
Is motivated me to go to the sources in search of the facts.

Can't ask much more than that of a post.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Yes, but I'm not sure we satisfied the OP's original question. The question was if leaving VR at high shutter speed could be causing image degradation. We haven't found any facts on that.

Some have opined that VR can hurt at higher shutter speeds but no one has shown data to support that contention.

I think the OP was suffering from a focus issue, which we didn't explore.

I agree VR can hurt compared to a stable tripod using good technique otherwise (e.g. MU remote release). That's why most lenses (those without tripod detection) tell you to turn it off when on a tripod.

I don't think VR can hurt when handheld. I agree it helps the image less as shutter speed increases, but see no mechanism by which VR can degrade the image at higher shutter speeds.

Through research encouraged by this thread I have learned that having the image stabilized in the viewfinder may be a significant aid no matter what the shutter speed. I suspect that is why no vendor has built into their algorithm to disable VR above a certain shutter speed and none of them recommend turning it off above a certain shutter speed.

Since Nikon controls VR differently at half press (for the viewfinder) vs. full press of the shutter (for the image) it is certainly within their ability to add a control to turn it off or change the algorithm for high shutter speed if they found it useful.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

by george, i think we might be in agreement on all issues