I’m sensing the need for a page specifically dedicated to VR lenses and whether or not their manual says to turn the VR off when mounted on a tripod.

Bob wrote me to ask if the much-loved Nikkor 80-400mm wanted its VR turned off while on a tripod. Ya know what I told him? RTFM! That was the lesson that Brad was trying to teach us yesterday.

Thankfully, Brad did read the f’ing manual (and told me, because I was too lazy to do it for him):

The 80-400 manual says, and I quote exactly:

“When the lens is mounted on a tripod, set the vibration reduction switch to OFF. Set the vibration reduction switch to ON, when using a monopod or if the lens is mounted on a tripod without the head being locked in place.”

Thanks Brad!

As I explained to Brad, and the actual reason that I put up anything on this topic is because the differences between having it on while on the tripod and turning it off were so pronounced!

Brad says that I got it wrong- that most people have probably got it wrong- even you! I reprint his message in its entirety (bolding is mine):

Matt,

Your entry entitled “On Tripod? VR OFF! Comparison Shots is over-simplified to the point of being extremely misleading.

In short, whether or not you should turn off the VR function when mounted on a tripod varies with the lens. And, it also varies with how sturdy your tripod is and whether or not the head is tightened down. One thing that contributes to the confusion is how poorly it is expressed in the manuals (and, I have found a few typos in the VR sections of the  manuals, which compounds the problems).

Here’s the situation with the VR lenses I currently own and have tested (and when mounted  on a firm tripod with head tightened down):

1. 105 mm VR Micro: Turn VR off when on tripod (as stated in manual)

2. 200 mm f2 VR: Turn VR off when on tripod (as stated in manual – albeit in a  confusing fashion)

3. 300 mm f2.8 VR: Turn VR off when on tripod (as stated in manual)

4. 200-400 mm f4 VR: A-Ok to leave VR on when on tripod (as stated in manual) BUT ensure VR is in “Normal” mode (not active mode)

5. 600 mm f4 VR: Recommended to leave VR on when on tripod (as stated in manual) BUT  ensure VR is in “Tripod” mode – unless you are panning (as in following a bird) with a firm gimbal head (like a Wimberley).

Because of the poor performance of the 70-200 f2.8 VR on the full frame cameras, I have  recently jettisoned this lens and manual and can’t (without downloading the PDF manual) easily confirm what the manual says about this lens. But from my experience with it is that when firmly mounted on tripod you get better performance with the VR OFF.

I don’t expect (or care) if you post this info, but it would probably help a LOT of people if you amend the current info to include the point that the VR ON vs. VR OFF issue varies with the lens (and if people carefully read their manuals there would be no controversy!).

Yours in tack sharp images…

Brad
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Brad Hill
Natural Art Images
www.naturalart.ca

On tripod - VR OFF!

The manuals for VR lenses states that if you’ve got the lens on a tripod, you should turn VR off. I’ve read in various places that this is because of possible damage to the VR mechanism, but that’s generally regarded as BS. You’re also supposed to let the VR motors turn off before removing the lens, I doubt this too but haven’t seen anything authoritative.

But I’ve never tried test shots of a VR lens on a tripod with VR on vs off, but David Dyer-Bennet has and we’re the better for it.

Check out his ‘on vs off’ photos and it’s completely clear that the VR has to be turned off if you’re on a tripod.