Use of IS/VR at Shutter Speeds over 1/500

[Jay Gould]

This thread was prompted by my being directed to an article by Thom Hogan - http://bythom.com/nikon-vr.htm - wherein he states emphatically that with Nikon IS you should turn it off at shutter speeds over 1/500.

An article by Ken Rockwell suggests the opposite! http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/image-stabilization.htm

When I have a doubt there is only one place I ultimately turn to: BPN!

I am not going to double post this in The Science of Photography; I hope that Arash and Roger provides some information in addition to others posting in this Forum.

[David Stephens]

This thread was prompted by my being directed to an article by Thom Hogan - http://bythom.com/nikon-vr.htm - wherein he states emphatically that with Nikon IS you should turn it off at shutter speeds over 1/500.

An article by Ken Rockwell suggests the opposite! http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/image-stabilization.htm

When I have a doubt there is only one place I ultimately turn to: BPN!

I am not going to double post this in The Science of Photography; I hope that Arash and Roger provides some information in addition to others posting in this Forum.

Notice how the author didn't give us sample images to demonstrate his point. I saw nothing but pontificating and coming up with a theorem, but no proof. Handholding, typically at speeds in excess of 1/100-sec., I find the IS very helpful at keeping the center AF point placed on the bird's eye. When I turn off the AF, the center AF moves all around the head and I can't keep it steadier. Here's a hand held shot at 1/1600-sec. with a Canon 500/f4 and a 2.0X TC-III:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/8729431006_b0e8603cf0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcstep/8729431006/)
Streeeetch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcstep/8729431006/) by dcstep (http://www.flickr.com/people/dcstep/), on Flickr

[Doug Herr]

.... When I turn off the AF, the center AF moves all around the head and I can't keep it steadier. Here's a hand held shot at 1/1600-sec. with a Canon 500/f4 and a 2.0X TC-III:

I presume you meant to type "turn off the IS". I'm struggling to find a point of focus on the head in this photo. Was this with IS off?

[David Stephens]

I presume you meant to type "turn off the IS". I'm struggling to find a point of focus on the head in this photo. Was this with IS off?

IS was on.

[arash_hazeghi]

For Canon system there is no issue with getting tack-sharp images with IS ON at high shutter speeds. IS is always ON and set to mode 2 on my lenses.

I doubt if Nikon VR is any different, I only have limited experience with 200-400 VR and 500VR both of which had no issue either. Experienced Nikon shooters should chime in if they have observed a difference...

[Arthur Morris]

Ditto Arash. I never turn IS off on my super-telephotos. At times I switch to Mode 1 if hand holding a big lens but for the most part it is Mode 2. I do not like Mode 3.

[Bill Jobes]

In my experience, I feel my best results were with my two different non-IS Nikon 600mm lenses.
My 600 VR I was great after AF MA, but I still longed for my 600 II non-VR. So I shut down VR nearly all the time. I felt it induced vibration with softness the result.

My present 600 VR II is excellent after AF MA. But the VR is off most of the time.

And regarding the earlier remark about Thom Hogan -- Thom is one of the pre-eminent Nikon gear experts. He's one whose opinions and evaluations are credible and worthy of serious consideration.

[Arthur Morris]

The other side of the coin: I never ever turn off IS except when doing exposures of one second or longer....

[Grady Weed]

David, the hummer image is a killer!

[David Stephens]

Thanks Grady.