What’s Your Preference?

Angelia · #1 (**permalink**) 05-01-2011, 01:38 AM

I'm on the verge of ordering a D90 (body only) with one prime, the Nikon AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED. What's keeping me from actually buying are niggling questions about VR.

Here's the issue, which the questions below address: I have tremors in my hands, hereditary "benign familial tremors." At their worst, they present like Parkinson's. Other times, I just lack fine motor skills or look slightly nervous. Sometimes, I hardly notice problems at all.

I know that no amount of VR will help hand-held shots when I have "jazz hands," which is why I'm also buying a tripod (would have needed it for macro anyway). But for the other times, when a tripod/monopod is either impractical or impossible to use, will VR be enough? If not, do I even need to worry about paying the extra to have it? It can be expensive, when it's available at all.

I should note that not needing it because it isn't "enough" for my circumstances would certainly put my mind at rest regarding some other lenses I've passed over (but want) because they lack VR. I can get creative when I need image stabilizing, including getting everything ready, then having my husband hold the camera and take the shot. But all that's a real PITA sometimes, and he's not always around when I need to use him as a tripod and remote shutter release. I'd be overjoyed if VR would actually enable me to get more keepers when hand-holding the camera myself, though--can't put a price on that.

Any help is most appreciated. This is my first DSLR, so I want to make sure I'm making an informed choice regarding the VR issue (if, indeed, it even is an issue).

ptremb3043 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-01-2011, 01:55 AM

vr will certainly help under normal to a little more than normal shaking. However as you put it "jazz hands" definitely needs a tripod. the other thing you might want to consider is getting a remote cable to go along w/ the tripod and possibly a grip type ball head for ease of manipulation. this way you have almost the same type of range of motion on the tripod as hand held and when you go to take the pic on a flare up day you can remote trigger to help prevent extra camera shake instead of pressing the release button, this way also works great for macro.

Angelia · #3 (**permalink**) 05-01-2011, 02:42 AM

Oooh, VR will actually help me sometimes? Fantastic! That's certainly better than "never," even if it does reduce my lens options for walk-arounds.

I have a grip-action ball head for the tripod (a Manfrotto kit) and a remote trigger in my B&H cart, so I think I'm set for shakeless and sharp photos in that regard. I may end up needing a monopod for more stablizing versatility, but I'll leave that until I've sorted everything else, like how to use the D90.

Thank you so much!

jdepould · #4 (**permalink**) 05-01-2011, 03:31 AM

Yes, VR is designed to mitigate medium frequency camera shake (doesn't help much with very fine vibrations; think driving over grooved pavement). Where you may start to run into trouble is if the amplitude of your shake is drastic (the camera starts pointing in a different direction), though at that point it'll throw off your composition as well. High shutter speeds also help.

You may or may need to use active mode, which stabilizes on both the vertical and horizontal axes. Experimentation will help you figure out what works best for a given situation.

Angelia · #5 (**permalink**) 05-01-2011, 12:38 PM

Thanks for the tip re active mode! That will help tremendously.

The problem with these tremors, beyond the fact that I have them at all, is that I'm never sure how bad they're going to be until I try to hold something smallish, like a camera. Sometimes the tremors level out while I'm working, sometimes not.

I'm hoping the high shutter speeds will help with non-VR lenses since that's about all I can do settings-wise to offset the problem when hand-holding.

Part of me is wondering if I should just go with a Sony just to get the stabilizing taken care of in the camera body itself, though I have wondered if that affects tripod shots since VR/IS has to be turned off on a tripod. I haven't read anywhere that it can be shut off in the cameras. None of the reviews I've read have mentioned that the inside stabilizer is an issue on tripods, however, so perhaps my worries are just the result of my very limited knowledge of all this.

jdepould · #6 (**permalink**) 05-01-2011, 06:06 PM

You can always shut it off.

The thing about sensor stabilization is that it doesn't work as well as lens stabilization.

Almond.Butterscotch · #7 (**permalink**) 05-01-2011, 08:07 PM

Since we are talking about the 105mm Micro here, it should be pointed out that as you get closer and closer to close focus, VR gets less and less useful. In my short time with it, I noticed VR stopped being affective at all at around 2m. Throw in the fact that at less than 3m, you don't have that effective f/2.8 aperture anymore, and you might have a bit of trouble.

Have you considered renting the combo from a place like BorrowLenses or ProPhotoRental or similar to see how it'll work for you?

kirbinster · #8 (**permalink**) 05-02-2011, 03:13 PM

For when you can't use a tripod you might try getting a screw that is the correct size for the tripod mount and attaching a string to it, you then stand on the string and pull up on the camera keeping it taught - it sort of works like a reverse monopod and can help.

Angelia · #9 (**permalink**) 05-02-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdepould

The thing about sensor stabilization is that it doesn't work as well as lens stabilization.

Oh, I did not know this! Thanks!

Angelia · #10 (**permalink**) 05-02-2011, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almond.Butterscotch

Since we are talking about the 105mm Micro here, it should be pointed out that as you get closer and closer to close focus, VR gets less and less useful. In my short time with it, I noticed VR stopped being affective at all at around 2m. Throw in the fact that at less than 3m, you don't have that effective f/2.8 aperture anymore, and you might have a bit of trouble.

Hmm... Likely at those distances, I'd be using a tripod anyway, so the loss of VR wouldn't be an issue. Not having the 2.8 aperture, however, sort of defeats the purpose of having that lens. Is there a better ~100mm option? I really love macro work and figured the 105mm would still give me a bit of walk-around versatility, too. (When the budget allows, the sweet 35mm will be my next purchase.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almond.Butterscotch

Have you considered renting the combo from a place like BorrowLenses or ProPhotoRental or similar to see how it'll work for you?

I've thought about it in passing, but your mentioning it makes me realize it would answer all my questions, and then some. Thanks!