Why should VR be turned off with a tripod?

[NateNLogansDad]

I have a Nikon P80 superzoom/bridge/whatever you call it and have read in multiple places recently that you should turn off Vibration Reduction when using a tripod. Why? Will there be an adverse effect on the pictures? I know it's a stupid question, it just doesn't make sence to me.

 

[wenrob]

Because basically what VR does hand held is move to counter your movement. Someone will be on with more technical details but that's the gist. When you put your camera on a tripod and leave the VR on the VR is still trying to counteract movement even though there isn't any and therefore causes vibration.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

So the Vibration Reduction will actually cause vibration if there isn't any. Got it. I wasn't sure if they meant it when they said to turn it off, or if it was more of a "you don't need it right now" kind of a thing. Thanks for the responce!

(one more thing to remember!)

 

[jann1033]

when i was having my IS problems ( canon) the tech support told me what wenrob said but also it could eventually damage the Is( motor if i recall right)...that is with the first is lens so they could have improved it by now

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Mark Barbieri explains it in detail in one of his tutorials listed here on page 11.

I couldn't find the exact thread, but with a little searching, you should be able to find it.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Yes, I can home with some very blurry pics because I forgot to turn it off. At first I thought my lightweight travel tripod and head was not holding the 70-300 lens very steady... hehehehehe

there is too much to remember for me.

Mikeeee

 

[tyedye]

Would it be ok to use a monopod and set IS/VR on auto or should you turn it off entirely?

 

[boBQuincy]

Would it be ok to use a monopod and set IS/VR on auto or should you turn it off entirely?

IS seems to work well with a monopod, there is still enough motion to keep it happy. YMMV but I use a Canon 24-105 with a monopod frequently, no problems.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

As I type this, I am at the Beach Club. Last night was the first night we got to a fireworks show a little early and I could use my gorillapod on a lightpost. We walked over to Epcot with DS(3) and DS(5) and they were pretty good as I strapped my camera to the post and double checked my settings. I was so proud how my test shots were comming out before the show. And I remembered to turn off the VR!
Then the fire started from the globe in the lake which I hadn't accounted for. No biggie, It'll go out and I'll get the fireworks shots I wan't right? Umm, no. When I went through my checklist of everything I wanted for the shots tonight, I never looked at the weather. Downpoured for a few minutes just enough to fog up my lense and all was lost.

So:

Tripod- Check
Extra Batteries- Check
Extra Memory- Check
Camera Settings- Check
Weather Channel- Check

 

[seashoreCM]

Mark Barbieri explains it in detail in one of his tutorials listed here on page 11.

I couldn't find the exact thread, but with a little searching, you should be able to find it.

Didn't find it in ten minutes. Now inviting someone to type the answer to the question anew here.

I do know that digital image stabilization on video cameras can cut the resolution due to treating odd and even scan lines of standard definition and of 1080i HDTV as coinciding, but this should not be a problem with gyroscopic stabilization.

I still contend that something is wrong if turning on IS degrades the picture for a still camera.

 

[wenrob]

While I think Mark's answer may be more in depth several of us have given an answer the OP understood. VR or IS will cause vibration if placed on a tripod because it moves to try to counter movement. If the tripod is solid then VR or IS will be counter productive.

 

[handicap18]

Didn't find it in ten minutes. Now inviting someone to type the answer to the question anew here.

I do know that digital image stabilization on video cameras can cut the resolution due to treating odd and even scan lines of standard definition and of 1080i HDTV as coinciding, but this should not be a problem with gyroscopic stabilization.

I still contend that something is wrong if turning on IS degrades the picture for a still camera.

If you put the camera on a tripod and have the IS/VR turned on, then press the shutter half way to focus, the IS/VR system will then also turn on trying to counter movement of the lens. Since the lens is not moving because it is on the tripod, it will instead then start moving because the IS/VR is moving. You will then get a blury image.

Now, from what I understand, there are some high end Nikon lenses that have a VR tripod mode to so that when the camera/lens is attached to the tripod, the VR will shut off. Also, IIRC, some of the newer generation Canon IS lenses and bodies have some sort of computer chip set in them that recognizes when it is attached to a tripod and will automatically shut of the IS. I do not know which specific camera bodies or lenses have this. I have read it a number of different times that this is with Canon. I don't have a Canon, I'm only reporting what I have read on this board and a few other boards.


If you still contend that this is wrong, then do some experiments on your own and report your findings here.

Some people on other boards have reported that this is a slight movement and doesn't really effect the images. Other people have written that it is very noticable and have had a number of photos ruined because of it.

 

[seashoreCM]

How, might you ask, does the camera know that the image is being blurred by camera movement? Answer: The sensor's pixels are changing and analyzed to represent camera movement. After all the camera must figure out which way to move the lens element to "steady" the scene on the sensor. So long as the pixels are not changing, there is no need for the lens elements to move as part of stabilization. Another answer: The camera has a physical motion sensor. But if this does not detect motion, then no commands should be sent to the lens element to "move and compensate".

Yes I will make some test shots. Actually I have, specifically while doing resolution test pattern test shots with the camera on a tripod. I had left the IS turned on all the time and did not notice any loss of sharpness (fingers crossed) Using a Canon SD850 (one of those little pocket models).

I would not like an IS method that is constantly hunting to "see if" the picture can be improved. Such would make all shots a little blurry even if the user did not move the camera noticeably.

 

[YesDear]

Here is Nikon's response to the question from their knowledge base. I thought it interesting it says it was updated 5/09

The Vibration Reduction technology built into some Nikon lenses or the COOLPIX 8800 can reduce or eliminate vibration during shooting. When the camera is on a tripod there will be very little (if any) movement so the question arises if VR should be used or not.


There are two techniques when using a camera/lens mounted on a tripod; keeping the pan/tilt head loose or fluid (when panning or moving with a subject) and keeping the pan/tilt head locked down and rigid while using a cable release (time exposures or for the new HDR techniques).

With the following lenses/cameras VR should be "Off" when the camera is mounted on a tripod and the pan/tilt head is locked down and using a cable release:

* 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro Nikkor
* 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor
* 24-120mm f3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
* 70-200mm f2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
* 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor
* 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
* Coolpix 8800

With the following lenses/cameras VR should be "On" when the camera is mounted on a tripod and the pan/tilt head is loose (fluid) while using the cameras shutter release button:

* 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro Nikkor
* 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor
* 24-120mm f3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
* 70-200mm f2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
* 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor
* 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
* Coolpix 8800

Nikon VR technology in the following lenses can detect minute vibrations that emanate from tripod legs.With the following lenses VR can be "On" when the camera is mounted on a tripod for either technique:

So..... If you use Nikon the answer is off if the lens is locked down and using shutter release turn it off. If on a pan or tilt head and fluid, leave it on. If using a monopod leave it on.

I have no idea what to do with other brands.