Please explain Nikon VR switch: I bought a Nikon 80-400 D from KEH. Super clean lens, quick delivery. I’ve attached a photo of the VR switch and I’m not sure what the little icons...

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

I bought a Nikon 80-400 D from KEH. Super clean lens, quick delivery.

I’ve attached a photo of the VR switch and I’m not sure what the little icons mean. I checked the Nikon website and the only manual I could find was for the G model, which had a different switch. Can someone help please? Thanks!

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

bikinkawboy wrote:

I bought a Nikon 80-400 D from KEH. Super clean lens, quick delivery.

I’ve attached a photo of the VR switch and I’m not sure what the little icons mean. I checked the Nikon website and the only manual I could find was for the G model, which had a different switch. Can someone help please? Thanks!

The mighty Googler told me that the first position activates VR only during exposure. The second also activates it in the viewfinder. It wasn't clear if this means full-time or just duting half-press of the shutter release button. With that in mind, try it out and see what happens.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

larryepage wrote:

The mighty Googler told me that the first position activates VR only during exposure. The second also activates it in the viewfinder. It wasn't clear if this means full-time or just duting half-press of the shutter release button. With that in mind, try it out and see what happens.

The top icons look like full press (button all the way down) and half-press (button not all the way down).

Bill_de Loc: US

bikinkawboy wrote:

I bought a Nikon 80-400 D from KEH. Super clean lens, quick delivery.

I’ve attached a photo of the VR switch and I’m not sure what the little icons mean. I checked the Nikon website and the only manual I could find was for the G model, which had a different switch. Can someone help please? Thanks!

From the owners manual Page 16:

Mode 1 - Vibration reduction active as soon as you slightly press the shutter.

Mode 2 - Vibration is reduced only at the instant the shutter is released.

Third position is OFF

https://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/lenses/AF/AFVR_80-400mm.pdf

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photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

My Nikon lenses only have two VR positions, on and off. I try to keep my VR off because I invariably forget to turn it off after I use it. A few years ago I was out photographing waterfalls on a beautiful autumn afternoon. I got home and all of my photos were useless because I had the VR on while using my tripod. I tried to console myself with the fact that I was out on a beautiful fall day, but it was a very hollow consolation.

Bill_de Loc: US

photoman022 wrote:

My Nikon lenses only have two VR positions, on and off. I try to keep my VR off because I invariably forget to turn it off after I use it. A few years ago I was out photographing waterfalls on a beautiful autumn afternoon. I got home and all of my photos were useless because I had the VR on while using my tripod. I tried to console myself with the fact that I was out on a beautiful fall day, but it was a very hollow consolation.

I don't know what cameras you use. Today's Nikons (probably most brands) sense when they are on a tripods and act accordingly.

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Bill_de wrote:

I don't know what cameras you use. Today's Nikons (probably most brands) sense when they are on a tripods and act accordingly.

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Qualify that.
"Newer" cameras.
Not so much on the older ones.

Bill_de Loc: US

Longshadow wrote:

Qualify that.
"Newer" cameras.
Not so much on the older ones.

Best thing for you to do is check your specific cameras.
They are the only ones you need to be concerned with,

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Bill_de wrote:

Best thing for you to do is check your specific cameras.
They are the only ones you need to be concerned with,

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Exactly!!!

Not all are created equally.
And it does depend on the age in which it was created.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

Thanks Bill-d! I saved that to my phone. Too bad Nikon didn’t have it. And thanks to everyone else as well!

Bill_de Loc: US

bikinkawboy wrote:

Thanks Bill-d! I saved that to my phone. Too bad Nikon didn’t have it. And thanks to everyone else as well!

Glad it worked out.

Nikon does have it. The link I gave you was to the Nikon manual for your lens.

Bill

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

bikinkawboy wrote:

Thanks Bill-d! I saved that to my phone. Too bad Nikon didn’t have it. And thanks to everyone else as well!

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/135/AF-S_NIKKOR_80-400mm_f_45-56G_ED_VR.html

Bill_de Loc: US

Strodav wrote:

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/135/AF-S_NIKKOR_80-400mm_f_45-56G_ED_VR.html

Your link is to the wrong lens.

The link I provided is for the "D" lens, which is the one the OP has.
The info we were looking for is on page 16.

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JD750 Loc: SoCal

larryepage wrote:

The mighty Googler told me that the first position activates VR only during exposure. The second also activates it in the viewfinder. It wasn't clear if this means full-time or just duting half-press of the shutter release button. With that in mind, try it out and see what happens.

Ah HA!! So that little symbol represents the shutter button!! Would be nice if that could be coupled to BBF instead of shutter.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

Bill_de wrote:

I don't know what cameras you use. Today's Nikons (probably most brands) sense when they are on a tripods and act accordingly.

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I am still using really old school technology. I haven't updated my cameras in at least 10 years. They still work and do what I want them to do (except when I put VR "on" and take photos on a tripod).