Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

OK, here's a more complete answer, point by point.

1. As I mentioned in the last post, BBAF will activate VR with newer cameras, say anything introduced since the D4. There was a good list in one of the posts that quoted Them Hogan. As someone mentioned, if you release the back button, VR will shut off after a few seconds on its own until you press again.

2. VR does have 2 stages. The first is for the viewfinder, so when you look into the viewfinder the image becomes steadier. The second - and most important - engages when you fully depress the shutter release. At Stage 2 the VR group is re-centered and starts sampling movement again. Only Nikon knows if they consider the data points collected just milliseconds before tripping the shutter, but since the VR group is re-centered when you press the shutter, I'm not so sure they do. As far as I've been able to reverse engineer / research on it, all the heavy lifting for images is done at Stage 2. As for delays introduced by the system when stage 1 and 2 are engaged right after one another with a shutter press, I've never noticed one, but I have no way to really test it either.

3. The big question is if VR helps with AF - and that's a mixed bag. If you've ever used VR, you've no doubt noticed that the image in the viewfinder seems to "jump" when you press the shutter. With the VR group is engaged as you look through the viewfinder the image "floats" a little (easier to notice on a tripod) and, as I mentioned, the VR group re-centers and starts again upon the release of the shutter. You've probably also noticed when this jump occurs the AF point isn't always exactly where you thought it was. My 500PF review has a simulation of this that can help (starts at 14.09 https://backcountrygallery.com/nikon-500-pf-review/ )

I've had more than a few e-mails from people absolutely certain they had an AF point on the eye of their subject, only to have the camera show them it was off by a hair. When I ask them if they were using VR, the answer is always the same - yes.

So, bottom line, is that with VR engaged it can be easier for the camera to focus and for you to control the camera, BUT the AF placement precision is lower. Sport VR can help with this as it adds less stabilization to the viewfinder and you have fewer errors.

IMO, if movement on your end is greater than the amount that VR makes the image jump, then it's a benefit for focus. If not, it can work against you, especially for small targets where you need the best AF placement precision.

4. As for holding a half press to keep VR engaged in an older body, I did it all the time. Heck, I do it with current bodies all the time too. The purpose of BBAF isn't to just focus with a different button, but to bypass the need to go from AF-S to AF-C all the time. See my video here - https://backcountrygallery.com/free-back-button-af-guide-for-nikon/

Most of the time I have my finger at the half-press point because I'm actively watching and waiting for a special moment in the viewfinder. When it happens, I want to have the meter running (so I can keep an eye on the settings), VR engaged if I need it, and most importantly, I'm much smoother, steadier, and faster with the shutter release when I already have a half-press initiated. In fact, I'm often just a fraction of a millimeter from tripping the shutter in those moments. So, IMO, keeping a half press with BBAF is not a big deal and even a benefit.

Hope that helps :)

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

How current is the firmware on your D7100? If it's not current then that could affect the way yours is operating.

throughrhettseyes Loc: Rowlett, TX

I would have to disagree with you on this one. My D500 VR is activated when ever any of my programmed buttons that are set to AF-AREA MODE + AF-ON are pressed. I shoot in continuous mode. Part of BBC is continuous mode. You can single press to lock focus or hold the button continuously to follow focus a subject. My VR is working all the time. Of coarse the new Nikon fast focus system in my D500 my be part of it. This system works with all their new fast lenses made for this system. The D500, D850, and the D5 have this system.

nison777 Loc: illinois u.s.a.

I respect your findings...
And can certainly identify with them...
I understand you completely...
Thanks for sharing something that has always been on my mind while shooting photography...

TucsonDave Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Elmer, et al,

Thanks to Elmer for reminding me of the subtle differences between camera bodies and how the use of several techniques will improve the quality of our photos - at least will mine. And thanks to all those who provided their knowledge and experience on this subject. That's why we love this this Forum!!

Odie-Jay Loc: Was Littleton, CO now Overland Park, KS

I have and use two Nikon 7100's. On both bodies VR is activated by either the bbf or half press of the shutter button. VR is not active when bbf or shutter are not being pressed. VR is a heavy draw on the battery so is not left on. I find that once I have good focus on a stationary object, a half press on the shutter re activates the VR and creates a very stable platform.

Bill_de Loc: US

This is one of the few times I kind of disagree with Steve. You should not need to use BBF to avoid switching from AF-S to AF-C all the time. Using AF-C all the time, you can use shutter half press all the time and set the back button to AF/L for those instances when you want to recompose with a still subject.

IMHO the decision on whether or not to use BBF should be how often you are focusing and then recomposing compared to shooting while continually focusing. If you are holding the back button in most of the time, what is the real advantage in your everyday shooting?

--

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

I appreciate your thoughts, and yes, you can certainly use the AF-L feature instead with AF-C.

However, what's really the point of using BBAF at all if not to keep the camera in a single servo mode - AF-C? If you're switching back and forth from AF-S to AF-C with BBAF, you lose it's only operational advantage. As you say, if you are always switching from focus + recompose to continuously focusing, that's when to use it.

Not sure why the disagreement - seems like we're saying pretty much the same thing?????

toxdoc42

I am now totally confused. Can someone review in simple languages what the consensus of this discussion is. If you program the Nikon for BBF and have a VR lens mounted, does the VR work or not?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Of course VR works along with BBF on a Nikon body. Our OP presented a questionable observation and a very questionable technique in a rather authoritative voice that generalized, in error, across all camera types, rather than qualifying the observation to a specific model number. The OP then complained about people being argumentative when the accuracy of his observation was questioned ...

GED Loc: North central Pa

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Most likely yes.

But maybe not for relatively old camera models, e.g. older than ten years. See the list above in the quote from Thom Hogan.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

No clue who you are referring to. You need to use quote reply.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Thanks but no thanks, I just think that this is so funny. God forbid if they start talking politics.

User ID

I hate hate hate hanging onto a half pressed
release button. That is WHY I use BBF. So, for
me, your advice is useless. I have not had any
problem concerning BBF struggling to lock on
due to IS being idle .... altho I do appreciate
the difference between Nikon and m43. In my
m43 cameras the IS keeps running. This is of
no importance for BBF but is very helpful with
using the MF assist magnifier !

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