VR not activated when using the AF-ON button on a MB-10

[Stephen Porten]

The Mastering the Nikon D300 by Darrell Young says "Note using the AF-ON button on the MB-10 will not activate vibration reduction when a VR lens is attached".

This is on page 100.

I have looked in the D300 manual and several other books and can't find anything that supports this.

Does anyone have any knowledge if it is true?

 

[stevedigiphoto]

Yes that is right, the VR only activates on half press of the shutter release on the body or grip

 

[donski]

Yes. AF-ON on either the body or the MB-D10 will not activate VR.

 

[Dave Courtenay]

I think this is something that Nikon needs to make available to Nikon users, You can use it on Canon cameras why not Nikon?????????
--
http://www.wildlifeinfocus.com
Facebook-David Courtenay Photography (www.wildlifeinfocus.com)

 

[n057]

I think this is something that Nikon needs to make available to Nikon users, You can use it on Canon cameras why not Nikon?????????

VR is activated with AF-ON on Canon? You mean IS , right? ;-)

JC
Some cameras, some lenses, some computers

 

[olyflyer]

The Mastering the Nikon D300 by Darrell Young says "Note using the AF-ON button on the MB-10 will not activate vibration reduction when a VR lens is attached".

This is on page 100.

I have looked in the D300 manual and several other books and can't find anything that supports this.

Does anyone have any knowledge if it is true?

Page 75 of the D300s manual says:

" The AF-ON Button

For the purpose of focusing the camera, pressing the B button has the same effect as pressing the shutter-release button halfway; note, however, that vibration reduction (available with VR lenses) can only be engaged by pressing the shutter-release button halfway. "

The D300 manual apparently does not have that explanation, so Nikon "updated" the manual for the D300s.

 

[MiJoCa]

Thanks for that info. I was about to buy an MB-10, but as I rely on VR (age you know) I will give it a miss and spend money on another lens.

 

[David996]

Thanks for that info. I was about to buy an MB-10, but as I rely on VR (age you know) I will give it a miss and spend money on another lens.

I think you may have misunderstood:

VR isn't activated by the AF-on button on the MB-10, but it IS activated by the shutter release on the MB-10 exactly as per the camera body

--
David
http://www.woodcotephotography.com

 

[Oscarroos]

I really like NOT having VR kick in with the AF -On button, saves battery and the only time you really want it on is when you take the image so I think the Nikon system works best - having VR only come on just before you take the photo with 1/2 press of shutter button.
--



http://www.flickr.com/photos/22388579@N08/

 

[Sandozer]

I use the AF button for focus, not the shutter release. Permanently engaging VR on the AF button would be a much increased drain on battery power.

When tracking moving objects the AF button is often actuated for many seconds at a time.

Ian.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandozer

 

[olyflyer]

Thanks for that info. I was about to buy an MB-10, but as I rely on VR (age you know) I will give it a miss and spend money on another lens.

I don't have the MB-10 but I believe AF-ON works the same as on the camera.

• Pressing AF-ON will result in AF.
• Half pressing the shutter release will result in activation of VR and possibly AF if you have configured the camera to AF on half press.
• Fully pressing the shutter release will result in image taken.

In other words, you can always have VR active for focusing but you must use the shutter release button and half press it. The AF-ON button will only give you AF.

BTW, if age and shaky hands are a problem than in my opinion the MB-10 is a waste of money because it will just make your camera heavier and more difficult to hold. That is my main reason for not getting it since I carry my camera a lot and don’t want to make it heavier. I don’t mind the better comfort for portraits; I can manage to twist the camera anyway.

 

[Stephen Porten]

Thanks for all of the information.

Now for the next part of the question.

When you push the shutter release do you need to pause at 1/2 way for the VR to be effective or can you just take a picture?

 

[olyflyer]

if you push all the way and don't want to wait for the VR to stabilize the image and also don't care for the focus than the image is taken immediately. Of course, that is assuming you have shutter priority set, not focus priority. If you set focus priority, than the image will not be taken before the camera confirms the focus.

 

[lmpmd]

Thanks for all of the information.

Now for the next part of the question.

When you push the shutter release do you need to pause at 1/2 way for the VR to be effective or can you just take a picture?

My feeling, was you need to hold shutter release 1/2 way down. I don't have manual on me. Many here have said vr needs some time, maybe 1/10 of sec. some say, for vr to settle. Just pushing shutter release wouldn't allow this "settling time".

--
Larry

 

[lmpmd]

Philosophically speaking, when one puts focus onto af-on button, isn't one saying "I want continuous shooting available to me instantly - without hesitation, if some good action shots are available. So, with that in consideration, you'd want VR off for those that continuous shooting. No?
--
Larry

 

[Dave Courtenay]

I never had problems when i shot Canon and none of my Canon buddies suffer from battery drainage even after tracking birds in flight all day, Batteries are excellent these days and well up to the task

I use the AF button for focus, not the shutter release. Permanently engaging VR on the AF button would be a much increased drain on battery power.

When tracking moving objects the AF button is often actuated for many seconds at a time.

Ian.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandozer

--
http://www.wildlifeinfocus.com
Facebook-David Courtenay Photography (www.wildlifeinfocus.com)

 

[hoof]

if you push all the way and don't want to wait for the VR to stabilize the image and also don't care for the focus than the image is taken immediately. Of course, that is assuming you have shutter priority set, not focus priority. If you set focus priority, than the image will not be taken before the camera confirms the focus.

VR requires some time to detect that you're smoothly panning a target. That's required otherwise it'll (mis)correct for the pan motion, which might blur a target you're tracking. VR does let you take a picture immediately upon activation without ruining the shot (Tamron's VC and Sigma's OS both jostle the image before stabilizing). But if you want to actually benefit from VR, other than the basic algorithm, you need to give it time to accumulate data.

IMO, if you're going to bother with VR, you should give it a moment or two to gather data before actually taking the shot, so that it can best correct the shake as per your intentions.

 

[olyflyer]

if you push all the way and don't want to wait for the VR to stabilize the image and also don't care for the focus than the image is taken immediately. Of course, that is assuming you have shutter priority set, not focus priority. If you set focus priority, than the image will not be taken before the camera confirms the focus.

VR requires some time to detect that you're smoothly panning a target. That's required otherwise it'll (mis)correct for the pan motion, which might blur a target you're tracking. VR does let you take a picture immediately upon activation without ruining the shot (Tamron's VC and Sigma's OS both jostle the image before stabilizing). But if you want to actually benefit from VR, other than the basic algorithm, you need to give it time to accumulate data.

IMO, if you're going to bother with VR, you should give it a moment or two to gather data before actually taking the shot, so that it can best correct the shake as per your intentions.

It is true that VR takes time but by the time the image is in focus VR is ready. My understanding of the question I answered was that if one is not bothered about VR but VR is on does it prevent taking the image immediately upon pushing the button or not. There are situations when the VR might be on but you are in a hurry otherwise you'd miss the moment. In that situation you can override the VR. Also if you know the shutter speed will be enough.

 

[Stephen Porten]

Thanks for all of the information. I now have a much better understanding of operation of the buttons.

The manual for my 200 - 400 VR says the same thing but I must have overlooked the note.

So to get the full benefit of VR I should pause 1/2 way when I push the shutter release.

 

[PHXAZCRAIG]

So to get the full benefit of VR I should pause 1/2 way when I push the shutter release.

People always say it takes a 1/2 second or more to 'settle in'. Personally I can't believe it. One of my VR lenses even has a mode that only works when you actually take the shot (doesn't stabilize the viiewfinder or kick in with a half-push). VR still works on it, and frankly, it helps me hold the lens steadier, as I can see the movement in the viewfinder when I'm not holding it well.

--
Craig
http://www.cjcphoto.net