VR lenses: I still use a Nikon D200 and am looking to get a VR lense for the first time for shots in the 200-300 range. My nerves aren't as steady as they used to be. I am curious how...

tjim Loc: Far Northern California

I still use a Nikon D200 and am looking to get a VR lense for the first time for shots in the 200-300 range. My nerves aren't as steady as they used to be. I am curious how many of you use VR a lot?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

tjim wrote:

I still use a Nikon D200 and am looking to get a VR lense for the first time for shots in the 200-300 range. My nerves aren't as steady as they used to be. I am curious how many of you use VR a lot?

On my Canon's it is Image Stabilization - same thing. Except on a tripod or very high shutter speeds I keep it on all the time since I do a lot of tele shots of birds hand held. It does help me use a bit slower shutter speed and/or lower ISO. Another thing I find helps is a pistol grip screwed onto the tripod collar. Your arm can then be bent with the elbow braced against your rib cage for more stability while the camera is still up at eye level.

d3200prime

tjim wrote:

I still use a Nikon D200 and am looking to get a VR lense for the first time for shots in the 200-300 range. My nerves aren't as steady as they used to be. I am curious how many of you use VR a lot?

Same here. Two years ago I was as steady as a rock. Now not so much. Amazing how things change as you get older. I use a nikon 70-300mm with VR which replaced a 55-200mm sans VR. I also had to give up my cherished 18-70mm nikon and moved to the nikon 16-85mm w/ VR. Now I can hand hold and even with my unsteady hands can achieve sharp pics again. I am very well pleased with VR in the nikon line but have no experience with other brands. I would advise you to go for it and never look back.

tjim Loc: Far Northern California

robertjerl wrote:

On my Canon's it is Image Stabilization - same thing. Except on a tripod or very high shutter speeds I keep it on all the time since I do a lot of tele shots of birds hand held. It does help me use a bit slower shutter speed and/or lower ISO. Another thing I find helps is a pistol grip screwed onto the tripod collar. Your arm can then be bent with the elbow braced against your rib cage for more stability while the camera is still up at eye level.

Thanks very much for the information. I appreciate it

r.grossner Loc: Rockford IL & Sarasota FL

tjim wrote:

I still use a Nikon D200 and am looking to get a VR lense for the first time for shots in the 200-300 range. My nerves aren't as steady as they used to be. I am curious how many of you use VR a lot?

VR performance varies by lens. I use it a lot and it is effective. It's not a crutch to other ways to steady a lens. When I use my long telephoto on a tripod or a gimble I place my left hand on the lens on the top long end with a slight pressure down. This seems to dampen MOST shutter vibration and I get 75 % more keepers. Handheld my 150-600 is a beast and I try to brace myself or kneel down as best as possible. After a long shoot arm shake is a problem, sometimes too much for VR depending on light.

tjim Loc: Far Northern California

d3200prime wrote:

Same here. Two years ago I was as steady as a rock... (show quote)

I also use an 18-70 an like it. My tele right now is an older 75-300 af and I love the heft. If I use 5 fps on a shot with 25 pics I can get a good shot out of them. BUT I am thinking of also getting a 70-300 af-s vr. Even as cheap as they are I just don't if I should make the jump. Being retired doesn't give me much "disposable" income.
I really appreciate your information.

ggttc Loc: TN

robertjerl wrote:

On my Canon's it is Image Stabilization - same thing. Except on a tripod or very high shutter speeds I keep it on all the time since I do a lot of tele shots of birds hand held. It does help me use a bit slower shutter speed and/or lower ISO. Another thing I find helps is a pistol grip screwed onto the tripod collar. Your arm can then be bent with the elbow braced against your rib cage for more stability while the camera is still up at eye level.

I also use a pistol grip on long lenses and it is a great aid in holding handheld...

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I never turn it off, need all the help I can get.

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

tjim wrote:

I still use a Nikon D200 and am looking to get a VR lense for the first time for shots in the 200-300 range. My nerves aren't as steady as they used to be. I am curious how many of you use VR a lot?

VR doesn't help much above 1/500 sec - sampling frequency and time to settle the mechanism is longer than the exposure, so it has no effect positive effect, and it may actually catch the mechanism in the middle of adjustment and you will end up with a bit of blur. But it works wonders

Here is a shot at 1/25 with an optically stabilized 600mm lens at maximum magnification.

(Download)

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Gene51 wrote:

VR doesn't help much above 1/500 sec - sampling frequency and time to settle the mechanism is longer than the exposure, so it has no effect positive effect, and it may actually catch the mechanism in the middle of adjustment and you will end up with a bit of blur. But it works wonders

Here is a shot at 1/25 with an optically stabilized 600mm lens at maximum magnification.

Beautiful cat. Is it yours?

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

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

Beautiful cat. Is it yours?

I'll pass it along to her.

She is a feral that I did TNR (trap-neuter-return) for. She greets me every morning at her feeding bowl, outside, and is vociferous if I am late. She is one of a colony of 5 ferals that I did TNR and have made my property their principal home. But by far, she is the friendliest of the bunch. I still can't reach out and pet her, but she does nuzzle my hand as I fill her bowl, often spilling the kibble all over the place. But she is quite beautiful.

One of my sidelines is trapping ferals and getting them neutered, and helping those who call for feral trapping to learn how to support and care for them when they are returned.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

tjim wrote:

I still use a Nikon D200 and am looking to get a VR lense for the first time for shots in the 200-300 range. My nerves aren't as steady as they used to be. I am curious how many of you use VR a lot?

I can actually see it working on my Nikkor 200-500. Good stuff!

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Gene51 wrote:

VR doesn't help much above 1/500 sec - sampling frequency and time to settle the mechanism is longer than the exposure, so it has no effect positive effect, and it may actually catch the mechanism in the middle of adjustment and you will end up with a bit of blur. But it works wonders

Here is a shot at 1/25 with an optically stabilized 600mm lens at maximum magnification.

Beautiful close up.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

tjim wrote:

I still use a Nikon D200 and am looking to get a VR lense for the first time for shots in the 200-300 range. My nerves aren't as steady as they used to be. I am curious how many of you use VR a lot?

Unless it was a very good older lens, I'd aim for a VR lens, although wide angles lenses don't usually have or need that feature. Lens shake does not enhance a photo.

alphonso49uk

If you can afford it, get the 28-300mm. Fantastic lens which is on my d810 most of the time......Ive taken shots at 1/8 of a second hand held with it with good results.