on al nikon vr's
- Thread starter lucien
- Start date
Prior to VR, the rule of thumb used to be you can shoot without a tripod when the shutter speed is at least the same as the focal length. What I mean is if you are shooting a 50mm lens, then you would want to hand hold the camera at 1/50 second or faster. Now with VR, you are supposed to be able to go up to 4 stops slower shutter speed than the focal length. Personally I'd use a tripod if at 4 stops under.
Here's an example: If shooting a 50mm lens with anything less than 1/50 sec shutter speed, then add VR if your shutter speed is anywhere from 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, and possibly 1/4 sec. If slower than that, use a tripod. When using longer lenses, the same thing applies. When shooting a 200mm lens, shutter speeds of 1/200 sec or faster is fine without VR. Use the VR for 1/25, 1/60, 1/30, and possibly 1/15.
EDIT: When using a DX camera, you may want to consider the 1.5 crop factor into the equation. That means if at 3 or 4 stops under, you may want to use a tripod instead of relying on VR.
Here's an example: If shooting a 50mm lens with anything less than 1/50 sec shutter speed, then add VR if your shutter speed is anywhere from 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, and possibly 1/4 sec. If slower than that, use a tripod. When using longer lenses, the same thing applies. When shooting a 200mm lens, shutter speeds of 1/200 sec or faster is fine without VR. Use the VR for 1/25, 1/60, 1/30, and possibly 1/15.
EDIT: When using a DX camera, you may want to consider the 1.5 crop factor into the equation. That means if at 3 or 4 stops under, you may want to use a tripod instead of relying on VR.
And lucien, when using a DX camera, you may want to use VR even if the shutter speed is the same as the focal length. For a 50mm lens, the DX crop factor offers a field of view of @ 75mm. Therefore, you might want to use VR for shutter speeds less than 1/75 sec. I know, there isn't a 1/75 second, but my point is to include the DX crop factor when using a DX camera and be aware of the shutter speed.
unless someone is doing specialty work aka going for a certain look on purpose, wouldn't it be safe to say "as long as there is a buffer ratio ie 50mm can equal 1/75 shutter as well as 1/50 and up but in general (+ or -) the length of the lens or that's not a good rule? If not disregard 200mm= 1/225 or 1/175 in theory should be fine right
I'm referring to static subjects and lighting all things being equal
I'm referring to static subjects and lighting all things being equal
It's for everyone different since the one has a more steady hand than the other but as a general rule you could use focal length times crop factor.
A 50mm DX would require 50*1.5 = 1/75s as Hark explained. Everything slower VR would be the better choice. A 200mm would require 1/300s.
It's a very general rule and there are exceptions to it. For example I can't shoot my D810 as slow as I shoot my D750 even when both have the same crop factor. The one has more pixels which picks up blur easier too.
Yes.
Since you own DX cameras, factor in the 1.5 for the crop sensor before figuring out your shutter speed. For a 50mm lens, you'd be best with a shutter speed of 1/75 or faster to not have to use VR. If the shutter speed is slower than 1/75, use VR or a tripod. For a 200mm lens, factor in the 1.5 first which brings it to 350. So you'd be okay with 1/350 for a shutter speed, but if it is slower, use VR or a tripod.
In my initial post, I referenced how it used to be prior to VR. Way back then, I'm not even sure if DX cameras existed which is why I forgot to include the 1.5 crop factor when explaining the answer.