MtnMan Loc: ID

I reiterate, since so far no one seems to have read it, that the caution to turn off IS/VR when using a tripod is headed the way of urban legends. At least some new Nikon lenses are designed with a "tripod aware" feature that adjusts the stabilization algorithm automatically when it detects that the camera is on a tripod. Specifically the kit 55-300mm lens has this feature.

The problem with older or unequipped IS/VR systems is that they can magnify the small vibrations of the mirror and shutter movement when on a tripod and actually blur your image for you rather than stabilize it. When handheld your hands abosorb that vibration.