Question for Nikon 200-500 Owners

[Friggs]

I just remembered something. With my 70-300 I was having trouble with the vr working intermittently. Now I wonder if there is a problem with my D300 and its not the lenses. Only problem is I don't have another body to try them out on. I am going to have to try and figure out a way to temporarily get my hands on another body.

 

[mikew_RIP]

I just remembered something. With my 70-300 I was having trouble with the vr working intermittently. Now I wonder if there is a problem with my D300 and its not the lenses. Only problem is I don't have another body to try them out on. I am going to have to try and figure out a way to temporarily get my hands on another body.

Do you want us to start looking for a bargain D7200

 

[Friggs]

Do you want us to start looking for a bargain D7200

It would have to be a real bargain as I only have $300 saved towards one. Unless you all are going to take up a collection for this old disabled guy. LOL

 

[mikew_RIP]

It would have to be a real bargain as I only have $300 saved towards one. Unless you all are going to take up a collection for this old disabled guy. LOL

Must admit i have a bit more in the toy fund than that(not a lot),that could change after the photo show in Japan

 

[D200freak]

One thing you have to understand about VR is that it works off of sensing movement and then compensating for it. While this will help keep your images sharp, there has to be a little movement for VR to activate, and since the movement happens FIRST and the VR compensates AFTERWARDS, (very quickly, but still afterwards) then you should never expect VR to give you images that are as sharp as taking photos off a solid and stable mount.

Working from a good tripod (or other solid mount) should give you sharper images than a VR system can give you, every time.

 

[Woodyg3]

Many photographers agree that VR at high shutter speeds will not work, and may even degrade the image. Take a look at this article by Thom Hogan:

Nikon VR explained

By the way, the "jerk" you see is just the VR snapping in when you partially depress the shutter. That's normal.

 

[Friggs]

Many photographers agree that VR at high shutter speeds will not work, and may even degrade the image. Take a look at this article by Thom Hogan:

Nikon VR explained

By the way, the "jerk" you see is just the VR snapping in when you partially depress the shutter. That's normal.

Thanks fr the info. As for the "jerk". It is not when I first start the VR. It is between shot on continuous drive that I see the "jerk". I know when it first starts it jerks. But this one does not do near as much as my 70-300. But the between shots is just with this lens. My 70-300 does not do that.

 

[J-see]

A 500mm will move much more than a 300mm so you'll see it jump faster or more often using the exact same shooting technique.

It moves between shots because the VR switches from stabilising the viewfinder to using compensation the moment exposure starts. This can create a difference between the focus point you saw while the mirror was down and the actual focusing while the mirror is up. Right after exposure it switches back to the viewfinder until the next exposure which makes it "jump".

 

[D200freak]

That's interesting. I always thought the jerk behind the shutter was just me.

 

[J-see]

It'll probably also be affected by the shutter speed. The lower it is, the more VR has to compensate in terms of movement which results into a larger difference between what we think we're focusing at and what the cam is actually having in focus.

I occasionally have the dot full on a bird's head but after the exposure I see it jump above. When I check the shot afterwards, it also shows the focus dot above the bird. It won't make much of a difference when your target is close but when you shoot a burst on a target far and small, it might be hitting it completely wrong without you even noticing.

 

[Blacktop]

Many photographers agree that VR at high shutter speeds will not work, and may even degrade the image. Take a look at this article by Thom Hogan:

Nikon VR explained

By the way, the "jerk" you see is just the VR snapping in when you partially depress the shutter. That's normal.

This is normally true. However the 200-500 mm in sports mode using AF-C is designed just for that task. I belive I have mentioned this already.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

 

[Friggs]

Many photographers agree that VR at high shutter speeds will not work, and may even degrade the image. Take a look at this article by Thom Hogan:

Nikon VR explained

By the way, the "jerk" you see is just the VR snapping in when you partially depress the shutter. That's normal.

Thanks for the article. I just read it. I wonder of this could have been my problem with soft images? I need to get out again and try shooting some more.

 

[Friggs]

This is normally true. However the 200-500 mm in sports mode using AF-C is designed just for that task. I belive I have mentioned this already.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

I have never heard this. Can I ask where you did? Because that is not mentioned in the directions of the lens. Thanks.

 

[Blacktop]

I have never heard this. Can I ask where you did? Because that is not mentioned in the directions of the lens. Thanks.

Im on my phone posting so you have to look it up on Nikons site . You can read about this lens there.

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[Woodyg3]

This is normally true. However the 200-500 mm in sports mode using AF-C is designed just for that task. I belive I have mentioned this already.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Since you have the new lens and have been using it, Pete, I'm sure you are right. It sounds like the Sports VR should keep the jumps out when tracking. You have been shooting at high shutter speeds without problems, too, so I can only assume that was a problem with older versions of VR.

There is always the factor that it's just simply hard to get the focus point exactly where you want it with any long lens, and the depth of field is so unforgiving at long distances. You may find, @Friggs , that with practice your shots will be in better focus.

 

[Geoffc]

Looks like it's front focussing to me. The branch on the left is in focus with no movement so the lens has taken a sharp image. As has been said already, you should AF fine tune the lens. Do it on a tripod to eliminate you from the shot.


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[Woodyg3]

Okay, here is a newer Thom Hogan link where he reviews the 200-500 and talks specifically about what he likes and dislikes about the VR systems on this lens. Thom is never completely satisfied with anything, IME, so take the negatives with the grain of salt.

He specifically states that he didn't see high shutter speed issues with the VR on this lens, so forget what I told you earlier!

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 Lens Review | DSLRBodies | Thom Hogan

 

[Friggs]

I am going to take the time tomorrow to fine tune the auto focus and see what that does. I will keep you all posted. Thanks for all the help.

 

[mikew_RIP]

Many photographers agree that VR at high shutter speeds will not work, and may even degrade the image. Take a look at this article by Thom Hogan:

Nikon VR explained

By the way, the "jerk" you see is just the VR snapping in when you partially depress the shutter. That's normal.

I know you have posted a link to another piece by Mr Hogan but its worth mentioning the one you link to here is about the only one out there saying dont do it,a member on another forum who runs a large lens rental company has said fast shutter speeds dont hurt with modern VR,not had the light to try it lately but we ran a thread about it and i tested my Tamron up to 1/4000th and it made no difference.

 

[J-see]

I know you have posted a link to another piece by Mr Hogan but its worth mentioning the one you link to here is about the only one out there saying dont do it,a member on another forum who runs a large lens rental company has said fast shutter speeds dont hurt with modern VR,not had the light to try it lately but we ran a thread about it and i tested my Tamron up to 1/4000th and it made no difference.

I tested it and when using VR during high shutter, the ratio of out-of-focus shots increased drastically.

If you activate VR during high shutter bursts, you (probably) increase the duration between shots which makes it harder for a slow lens to hold focus on a moving target. On stills it doesn't matter that much.