Tripods and Image Stabilization. A Question.

[Zeke Menuar]

Why do some photographers recommend turning off image stabilization when using a tripod?

I have a D3100. Both of my AF-S lenses have VR.

Thanks in advance.

[ceremus]

For many stabilization systems, when the shutter is pressed or half pressed the stabilizer engages and attempts to compensate for any movement or vibration. But if the camera is already stabilized, the activation and use of the system will actually introduce vibration that wasn't there before. I've seen pictures of the effect actually, it looks a bit like a cell phone photo that was taken while the vibrator was going off.

There are some lenses that can sense when the camera is stabilized on a tripod and deactivate themselves. Some super telephoto IS lenses also have a secondary IS mode to compensate for smaller vibrations such as the mirror flip up when used with a tripod. These implementations aren't universal though, and for some systems it's just better to deactivate the stabilizer when tripod mounted.

[RichardTaylor]

See your lens documentation.

[Doug Pardee]

What ceremus and RichardTaylor said. Read your lens manuals. Some lenses want IS/VR turned off when tripod-mounted, some lenses don't care, some lenses have a special tripod mode.

[scootermcq]

Way I look at it.... why do they have an off button? Maybe sometimes you might want to turn it off. When would you want to do that? When there are no Vibrations or movement...... sooooo that is usually when it is on a tripod. It will not benefit you to have it on when your camera is stable, so even if it does not specifically say to turn it off when secured it will not hurt... might as well

[Zeke Menuar]

See your lens documentation.

I see the documentation. Are we supposed to READ it? :

The documentation for the 55-200mm VR says to turn off the VR when a tripod is used.

Thanks for the responses.

[ZafarSami]

My lens manual states to turn the VR off when on a tripod, but then fudges by saying, "leave it on if the tripod head is unsecured or when using a monopod."

Is that supposed to mean to leave the VR on if using the tripod with loosened head e.g. when panning on a tripod?

[RichardTaylor]

I would use it if it is not on a stable surface (or your shutter speeds are shorter than hand holding shutter speeds)
If your lens has a panning mode then use it, at the very least it will make it slightly easier to track the subject,.

[OsmosisStudios]

My lens manual states to turn the VR off when on a tripod, but then fudges by saying, "leave it on if the tripod head is unsecured or when using a monopod."

Is that supposed to mean to leave the VR on if using the tripod with loosened head e.g. when panning on a tripod?

An unsecured head or monopod are NOT secured. That's the point. So you can still get some vibration. Therefore a good idea to leave it on.

Basically:
If the camera is completely, rock-solid, locked into place: VR OFF
If the camera is NOT completely, rock-solid, locked into place: VR ON

If the shutter speed is above 1/500, VR ON or OFF, but that's a debate I'll leave to another time.

[sk66]

I haven't memorized what every lens manual says, and I'm not going to. And, regardless of what the manual says, the results can be "confusing."

I look at it this way. VR is there to solve a problem. Slow SS's/handheld. If I don't have that problem, then I don't use it.

I might have to look into "tripod mode" VR if it helps with mirror slap, but "mirror up" just makes more sense.