Back Button Focus, Vibration Reduction & Tripod use: I've been playing around with the BBF mode on my Nikon D5300. It seems to work well and does take some time to get used to. Working...

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

I've been playing around with the BBF mode on my Nikon D5300. It seems to work well and does take some time to get used to. Working on that.

Here is the question which is my topic title.

When I set the D5300 on my tripod (MeFoto Globetrotter) and when I remember (that's another thing to remember and I'm getting better at this as well), I disable the VR on my Tamron 16-300 mm zoom.

So, when I have the camera set to BBF and it's on the tripod, do I have disable VR on the lens or can it stay activated?

Djedi

jayw wrote:

I've been playing around with the BBF mode on my N... (show quote)

For me it depends on a few things- What lens are you using? I know the newer Nikkor 70-300 is fine with keeping the VR on. The Tamrons (and Sigmas) I have used wanted VR turned OFF when on a tripod. If there was no user motion, they managed to create it - exactly what you don't want. BBF has nothing to do with that really.

If you are following a subject moving quickly and shooting at a VERY high shutter speed (1/500 and above), then turn the VR off.

If the lens has a panning setting for VR, you may be able to leave it on when trying to capture action (subject in focus, background blurry, shooting at 1/50 or below), since I have rarely been able to pan without shaking the tripod a tiny bit in the other direction.

But for non-moving (or very slow moving) subjects, where the camera is essentially still, I would always turn VR off when on a tripod, since VR only works to counter YOUR movement, not your subjects!

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

Disable it -- BUT, why not experiment by putting the kit on your tripod and shooting 1 photo with VR on and 1 photo with VR off. See if there is a substantial difference between the two. The vibration is in the lens not in the camera so BBF should have no impact upon the VR. BUT do the experiment and see if that is true. Perhaps you can post the two JPEGs here and we can all see the results.

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

To answer the first question re: lens - Tamron 16-300 mm zoom.

The second - I'll try that experiment soon and will attempt to post.

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

jayw wrote:

I've been playing around with the BBF mode on my N... (show quote)

The VR on your lens is not "tripod friendly" and could provide less than optimal results if left on when you have it on a tripod. BBF has no effect. If you are panning, even if not on a tripod, VR should not be used. One obvious downside of keeping VR on when panning is that while the subject you are following may be in focus and crisp, the background gets a stroboscopic effect, as if the light was flickering.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

VR/IS will try to reduce camera movement, even movement that is not there. You usually get better results turning it off when using a tripod so there is no "hunting" to correct movement that is not there.

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

Gene51 wrote:

The VR on your lens is not "tripod friendly" and could provide less than optimal results if left on when you have it on a tripod. BBF has no effect. If you are panning, even if not on a tripod, VR should not be used. One obvious downside of keeping VR on when panning is that while the subject you are following may be in focus and crisp, the background gets a stroboscopic effect, as if the light was flickering.

Gene, great tip. I would never have known about the panning and keeping VR off. I sometimes forget to turn off VR when on a tripod. This is called old age and brain damage !!!

FotoPhreak Loc: Whittier, CA

To answer the VR on or off question when shooting with a tripod, I would check the manufacturers instructions for the lens. I mention this because I have a Nikon 70-300mm zoom that I have been using for 8 or 9 years and the instructions clearly state that the VR should be turned off when using a tripod. However, a few months ago I purchased a Nikon 18-80mm zoom and the instructions state that the VR can be used with a tripod and uses the rational that it will correct for small micro vibrations in the tripod. In the past, everything I read said to turn VR when shooting from a tripod if everything is clamped down, but now it appears that at least Nikon is backing of from this, at least for some of their lenses.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

jayw wrote:

I've been playing around with the BBF mode on my N... (show quote)

Any time your camera is attached to anything solid (tripod, mono pod) VR should be off. OFF, as in turned off, disabled, shut down, eliminated, terminated, left off, blighted, blitzed, punched out, got it?, good. Now go out into the world and take lots of great photo's and remember to do WHAT? when the camera is on a tripod or mono pod.

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

Can someone please explain to me what is Back Focus Button. I have a Canon 7D and their is nothing in the manual about it.

steveg48

fourg1b2006 wrote:

Can someone please explain to me what is Back Focus Button. I have a Canon 7D and their is nothing in the manual about it.

How To Use AF-On And Back Button Autofocus - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzqQskGoURE

Bill_de Loc: US

FotoPhreak wrote:

To answer the VR on or off question when shooting with a tripod, I would check the manufacturers instructions for the lens.

Best answer so far.

Some lenses will adapt for tripods and panning. Some will not.

Most opinions you get here will be based on the experience the responder has with their lenses, not necessarily the same as the ones you own.

--

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Gene51 wrote:

The VR on your lens is not "tripod friendly" and could provide less than optimal results if left on when you have it on a tripod. BBF has no effect. If you are panning, even if not on a tripod, VR should not be used. One obvious downside of keeping VR on when panning is that while the subject you are following may be in focus and crisp, the background gets a stroboscopic effect, as if the light was flickering.

Just as an addendum, some Canon lenses have an IS/VR mode that's optimized for panning, and some do not recommend turning off IS/VR on a tripod - varies from lens to lens.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I have accidentally shot with my Nikon 18-200 VR while VR is on and camera on a tripod without ill effects. It is the general recommendations of manufacturers to keep VR off if camera is on a tripod.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

In school they told us over and over VR off when on a tripod.