Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

AF-P DX lenses do not have a VR switch and the D7200 firmware does not have the menu option to turn VR off and on. So would it be possible to put an af-p DX lens on a body that does have the menu option turn VR off then transfer it to the D7200 and keep the VR off? Has anyone tried this? Just curious if this is a possible work around for Nikon ignoring the D7200? Thanks.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

I do not know, but I would be very surprised if it worked.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Too much effort for too little result. I doubt that would be possible, but I hope you'll let us know how your test turns out.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

I doubt it. But from the table it looks like if you update the firmware in a D7200 you will get the menu option to turn VR off.

https://www.nikonusa.com/Images/Learn-Explore/Photography-Techniques/2011/Which-Nikkor-is-Right-for-You/Media/NIKKOR-lens-compatibility-chart.pdf

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

No, you didn’t read the chart. D7200 has limited compatibility with Af-p lenses meaning even with the most recent firmware updates they did not include the ability to turn VR off and on unfortunately.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

I don’t own a compatible body so asked to see if borrowing one from a friend would be worth it. The majority of what I shoot with this lens is outdoor sports. With high burst rates and movement of players shots can end up soft. So for me to turn it off once and keep it off would not be too much effort. For those reading this wondering why not just buy the version with the switch. I know Jerry is aware of this but the Af-p version is much sharper than previous version. It’s actually a great lens for the money. The only downside is no way to turn VR off and on with the D7200.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I believe the issue is more than the VR control. My understanding is the lens won't auto-focus when used with a camera that doesn't have the firmware needed to control the lens.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Try reading again. The different asterisks refer to different notes. The D7200 says firmware update.

The firmware update worked on my D5300.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

There are actually three AF-P 70-300s. Two are DX, with and without VR. You could buy the non VR version for much less if willing to go gray market, used, or refurbed.

There is also an FX one. It has a VR switch. It is significantly larger and heavier. I have both it and the VR DX version. I use the FX one on my Z6, and the DX VR one on my D5600. Image quality about the same.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

No not entirely true. There are 3 catagories. Compatible, Limited Compatibility and Not Compatible. The D7200 has limited compatibility. Limited compatibility means does not have the ability to turn VR off, no menu option available. I can assure you this lens focuses fine on the D7200 fast accurate and silent. So auto focus is not the issue.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

VR is powered by the camera.... If you REALLY wanted to, you could probably pretty easily figure out which of the electronic contacts powers it and put a small piece of tape over it, to disable VR. Since it's just a low voltage, even a little piece of Scotch tape would work, I bet.

Not that I can think of any reason you'd what to do so I've been shooting with various image stabilized lenses since 2001 and hardly ever turn it off on any of them.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

It still with a firmware update has limited compatibility. That limit is the ability to turn VR off and on. It needs the firmware update to use on the D7200 however the firmware update does not include the ability to turn VR off and on on the 7200 per Nikon. The D7200 is a different camera than the 5300 with different firmware. My camera has to latest firmware installed. Believe me I have researched that part thoroughly. For some reason Nikon left the ability to turn VR off and on on the 7100 and 7200 the common thought is they want to push owners to buy the 7500 which I don’t think is selling as well as they hoped. I believe the much older 7200 is more popular and for good reason. But that is just conjecture.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

The reason is pretty simple. I shoot sports with it. When burst shooting the combimation of burst and player movement confuses the VR and it unnecessarily softens the shots. It perceives Camera shake when there is none. For everything else it is fine to leave it on. This seems to only be a characteristic of the Af-p lenses. The same effect is not common on Af-s lenses. It’s not a problem on the D7100 because you can’t get the same bursts because of the smaller buffer.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

While I don’t buy your position that the D7200 firmware doesn’t provide the menu option to turn VR off (link?), it doesn’t matter. Buy the non VR one. Many for sale cheap.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

You don’t have to buy it. It is true! My camera has the latest firmware on it and the option does not exsists but don’t take my word for it.
According to Thom Hogan
“Mostly compatible is the problem of menus. For example, many of the older cameras (e.g. Df, D4, D4s, D750 and D7200 have no way of turning VR on and off on the DX versions of these lenses; the FX version has a switch on the lens; see its compatibility, below), even after the firmware update. The DX VR lenses work otherwise fine, but VR will always be left on. “.
Here is the link that quote came from.
http://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/lens-articles/general-nikon-lens-info/understanding-the-af-p.html


This came directly from the Nikon Site. Today February 22 2019.
“The number of cameras compatible with both lenses is limited. Even for compatible cameras, firmware update may be required*.Fully compatible models:D7500, D5600, D5500, D5300*, D3400, D3300*, D500 and later models

Compatible models with limited functions:D5, D810 series, Df, D750, D7200, D7100, D5200, Nikon 1 series with the FT1

Incompatible models:D4 series, D3 series, D2 series, D1 series, D800 series, D700, D610, D600, D300 series, D200, D100, D7000, D5100, D5000, D90, D80, D70 series, D3200, D3100, D3000, D60, D50, D40 series, film cameras”

So buy what you want but you are wrong.

You obviously know little about lenses. The AF-S and Non VR versions of this lens are optically inferior at any price. But currently the AF-P VR Nikon factory refurb is being offered at $150. That is cheaper then any of the other versions can be bought for. It is an amazing lens especially at that price. If you bothered to read through this thread you would see why I am interested in turning off the VR. It’s not a big deal I will live if it can’t be done. I just asked the question. Not sure why you feel the need to make such an issue out of my simple question. I just asked if it could be done the way I described. Sorry you have such a problem with the simple question.