New to the 70-200VR: A quick question (or two)

The manual states that you should turn off the VR functionality when using a tripod. Excuse my ignorance, but why? I'm sure there is a perfectly rational explanation.

This leads to the second question. If you should turn it of on a tripod, what about a monopod?

Great lens BTW, but I need to work out a little more to carry it around.

Paul

Like the documentation states, turn it off when using a tripod with the head locked.

Why? Because if you don't your pictures will be bad

There is enough residual movement when using a monopod (which VR needs to work properly) that it will give good results.

Digital film is cheap. Try it.

brock said:

The manual states that you should turn off the VR functionality
when using a tripod. Excuse my ignorance, but why? I'm sure there
is a perfectly rational explanation.

This leads to the second question. If you should turn it of on a
tripod, what about a monopod?

Great lens BTW, but I need to work out a little more to carry it
around.

Paul

Click to expand...

Mike Roden said:

Why? Because if you don't your pictures will be bad

Click to expand...

You mean I can't blame the tripod. LOL

Mike Roden said:

There is enough residual movement when using a monopod (which VR
needs to work properly) that it will give good results.

Click to expand...

I figured it required some type of residual movement.

Mike Roden said:

Digital film is cheap. Try it.

Click to expand...

Cheaper than film that's for sure.

Paul

brock said:

Mike Roden said:

Why? Because if you don't your pictures will be bad

Click to expand...

You mean I can't blame the tripod. LOL

brock121199 said:

There is enough residual movement when using a monopod (which VR
needs to work properly) that it will give good results.

Click to expand...

I figured it required some type of residual movement.

brock121199 said:

Digital film is cheap. Try it.

Click to expand...

Cheaper than film that's for sure.

Paul

Click to expand...

Please help

I have recently purchased the 70-200VR for use on my Kodak 14nx. I am not consistent with the focus quality with this lens. Under conditions in my house (not exactly "studio quality") it seems really sharp under large amounts of magnification. In the field however, I think I must be setting the camera wrong because grasses, trees, etc seem very "soft". Also, in the manual and on other web sites people talk about the image in the viewfinder moving. I have never observed any vibration or settling movements. By the way, the Kodak is simply a modified N80, so what works for one should work for the other. Thanks in advance, all help is welcome.

Art West

ArtWest said:

I have recently purchased the 70-200VR for use on my Kodak 14nx. I
am not consistent with the focus quality with this lens. Under
conditions in my house (not exactly "studio quality") it seems
really sharp under large amounts of magnification. In the field
however, I think I must be setting the camera wrong because
grasses, trees, etc seem very "soft". Also, in the manual and on
other web sites people talk about the image in the viewfinder
moving. I have never observed any vibration or settling movements.
By the way, the Kodak is simply a modified N80, so what works for
one should work for the other. Thanks in advance, all help is
welcome.

Click to expand...

Hi, Art.

I got a 70-200 VR a few weeks ago for use on my D70. Having never used a VR lens before, I was disappointed in the results. At first I thought my expectations were too high, but shortly I realized that my lens was defective. It became clear that the VR system wasn't working, and on top of that my pictures weren't sharp enough even when VR was turned off. I sent the lens back and got a replacement, which works wonderfully.

When VR is operational, you should be able to hear a slight 'whirring' sound, as well as a single 'click' when it gets a lock (note that these aren't loud noises, so you should test somewhere quiet). You can certainly tell a difference when VR is on and when it's off by looking through the viewfinder and doing a half-shutter press. If you can't hear the VR 'whir and click' and you can't tell a difference when shooting, I'd say your lens is bad.

--
-Drew
http://www.pbase.com/dboyles

Exactly.

Once you see the "movement" in the viewfinder it's pretty obvious. You must also wait for the "movement" to stabilize before shooting or images at slow shutter speeds will be blurred. I believe this is the problem associated with using VR on a locked tripod. The VR can never "stabalize" and is continually hunting.