Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

I will definitely experiment with this, but I am curious about what others usually do. My assumption is that you would use VR with the long lens on a gimbal. FWIW, i’m talking specifically about using the Nikon 200-500. What do the experts say? VR on or off?

Thanks!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Ben, just from what I know about VR, yes, you'd want to have it on, as long as the gimbal is not locked in place. Gimbals will allow for slight movement and that is what VR counters.
--Bob

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Thank you for the confirmation, Bob.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

You're welcome.
--Bob

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Yes to Bob’s comment.

Andy

HT

In the real world, VR on or off won’t make a lot of difference when a camera is mounted. But, two quick points:

1.) VR should be off when using a shutter speed that is of its self able to freeze camera movement, irrespective of the camera being mounted, or handheld.

2.) VR should be off when camera movement is isolated from the effects of unintended movement. The key purpose of a tripod head is support the cameras weight and prevent unintended movements, and the tripods role is to support the weight and dissipate any vibrations.

So for example a tripod mounted camera with the tripod firmly set into the Earth, VR should typically be off. A tripod mounted camera with tripod set on the deck of a (vibrating) vessel or a bridge deck perhaps, would require VR on because the tripod is itself being vibrated and it cannot “Earth” the effects of those vibrations.

If the camera/lens is “tripod aware”, then it doesn’t really matter if VR is on or off because the camera will deactivate VR when it doesn’t sense movement, and some cameras will activate a different stabilisation algorithm intended to manage very small or high frequency vibrations (wind vibration for example).

A good gimbal/tripod combo is no different in to any other head/tripod. The head supports the weight and prevents unintended movement of the camera, and the tripod dissipates vibrations. A well designed head won’t induce vibrations, otherwise it’s kinda pointless. It’s why the stiction of any ballhead, but especially gimbals, is so important: it allows camera movement while disallowing vibration inducing “chatter”.

So, IMHO anyway; if you are using a quality gimbal on a quality tripod, turn off your VR. Let your expensive gear work as it’s intended :)

vonzip Loc: cape cod

I did a lot of research on this and even found out that Nikon "hinted" in their manual of the lens to turn off the VR in certain instances, this being one of them. When I now shoot my 200-500mm on my Manfrotto gimbal head on a quality tripod, VR is off. vz

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Thanks.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Interesting. Thank you.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Thanks, VZ.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I have been using gimbal heads for over 18 years, longer than I have owned stabilized lenses. I even have designed my own gimbal head and have sold over 800 of them. I NEVER have VR (stabilization) on when mounted on a gimbal and have done several comparisons over the years with VR on and off when mounted. With one notable exception EVERY shot I have ever taken with VR on was softer than any shot taken with VR on.
The ONE exception in with my Nikon 600mm F4 VR II lens which has a designated Tripod Mode which minimizes the amount of stabilization used and is specifically intended to counter mirror slap, and it works very well. There are other lenses that offer a specific Tripod Mode but this is the only one I personally own, and the only one I use with that tripod mode VR switched on while mounted on my gimbal heads.
I lead wildlife seminars professionally for 13 years and this has always been my practice as well as the method I always recommended to my attendees.
YOUR decision is strictly up to you and you should take the time to do your own comparisons for yourself.

Bill_de Loc: US

There is no blanket answer. With early VR lenses the owners manuals recommended turning it off when the camera is locked down on a tripod. Many modern lenses are designed to sense when VR should be off, and handles it without you having to do anything.

You know where this is going ... Read The Manual for each lens.

On the gimbal I never lock anything except when the tripod is over my shoulder, and never turn off VR.

--

HT

completely consistent with my own experiences of using gimbal heads and VR over many years.

And when I did instruct photography when I was working, I likewise instructed students to leave VR Off unless the camera/lens had a tripod mode.

HT

Nikon have an each way bet in their manuals. No definitive answers there except for a lens equipped with a Tripod mode.

Images are from the 300mm f2.8G, 400mm f2.8E and 500mm f4G manuals. They all recommend using Tripod mode, but are silent on other VR Reduction modes which I take as “€œdon’t use it”

HT

Ummm...actually. The 300mm f2.8G manual says turn on VR when on Tripod. Maybe your onto something Bill :)

Although! The 400mm f2.8E manual remains ambiguous...