How to use VR effectively ... ?

[Kaushik Balakumar]

Hi,

Many a times while I shoot hand-held with VR 'ON' on my Nikkor 105mm VR AF-S micro, I find that image is not all that sharp. The shutter speeds I am talking of, is around 1/60 range (may be a little more too!). Somewhere during the shutter release, I am messing it up (that's what i guess from the fact that I find some kind of movement during those blinding moments when the mirror slaps) & I end up with 'not so sharp image'. I try the same frame with VR 'OFF' & I get better results !!!!

I am not sure if I am able to explain the situation aptly to you all.

With many experienced photographers here, do u have any techniques/guidelines to follow while using the VR (or IS) ??? Any particular time to wait for before I release shutter; or any other precautions etc ... ?

In effect, how do i get the best out of Nikkor VR ?

Any help will be much appreciated...

Thanks & regards,
Kaushik

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

In general VR or IS doesn't solve everything. If you use such a low shutter speed while hand holding the camera there is always a risk to have motion blurred image. In my experience IS reduces the handshake but I am almost sure at 1/60 there are too much room to have your hands moving almost invisibly for human eye. IMO using VR or IS for such a low speed a tripod is recommended.

Szimi

[John Chardine]

Camera shake is a random event so to increase your odds of getting a sharp image, take several in rapid succession and pick the best. I know the older Nikon digital bodies aren't known for their speed but this should still work for you. Take a look at:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/unsharp.htm

This is an excellent discussion of the subject of sharpness.

[Kaushik Balakumar]

Thank you Szimi & John for ur inputs.
John, the link u gave is pretty insightful.

rgds,
Kaushik

[George DeCamp]

Frankly if you are getting better results at that speed with VR off then with VR on something is very wrong in my opinion. I would have it checked out. Are you near minimum focusing distance?? What camera are you using, reason is the D300 and D3 have adjustments you can make in camera.

[Kaushik Balakumar]

@George: I was little far from the minimum focussing distance. The body I use is Nikon D70s. I guess it may not be a problem with focus adjustments because with a tripod, the image quality is tack sharp & focuses where I wish to focus. I thought there's some problem in my technique or some problem with VR. I wish to rule out the latter because there are instances when VR has produce tack sharp images too. Its like 60% of the time I am happy with VR performance but I wish to troubleshoot & see where I'm going wrong the rest of the time & also improve my technique...

rgds,
Kaushik