Bought a Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR II recently and glancing at the handbook it says that "With cameras featuring an AF-On button vibration reduction does not function when the AF button is pressed"

I have my camera set up to an article (I think it was by Jason Odell)
so that autofocus has been moved to the AF button.
Presumably VR still works when the shutter is finally pressed in this mode?

Thanks.

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Yes, the VR works with the shutter release, but it can be harder to auto focus without the VR, because it is harder to keep the focus point where you want it. Frequently I have to hold the shutter at half-cock while focusing using the AE button.

Tom
D5000IR, V1, Oly OM-D E-M5
Nikkor Zooms: AF-S 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 VR, VR, AF-S 18-135 f/3.5-5.6
Nikkor primes: 24 f/2.8Ai-S, 28 f/2.8D, Micro 60 f/2.8, 85 f/1.4D, Nikkor-C 500 f/8 Refl.
Nikon 1 lenses: 10mm f/2.8, 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6.
Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4, Sigma 70-300 Macro f/3.5-5.6.
Oly 12-42mm f/3.5-5.6, 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3, 12mm f/2.0, 45mm f/1.8, 75mm f/1.8.
Lumix 20mm f/1.7, 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8, 100-300mm f/4.0-5.6
Gitzo GT3541L, Manfrotto MT293A4, MP 680B
Markins M-20, RRS BH-25 Pro

Nikon really needs to clean up the wording of that sentence is all of its manuals.

What Nikon is trying to say is that the AF-ON button only controls only the focus system. The VR system stays connected to the shutter release button. Push the button you want for that feature, both buttons if you want both features.

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Joseph K
Seattle, WA, USA

D700, D200, D70S, 24-70mm f/2.8, VR 70-200mm f/2.8 II, 50mm f/1.4 D,
17-55mm f/2.8 DX, 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR, 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 DX

<<Nikon really needs to clean up the wording of that sentence is all of its manuals.>>

Too true. They also need to help folks understand when and when not to use VR and I don't mean just when on a tripod or monopod! I struggled for years with fast shutter speeds giving poor IQ until I read Thom Hogans article and had help here about when and when not to use VR.
You may already be aware of this, but if not and put simply, if the equivilent shutter speed is x1.5 the focal length, turn VR off e.g. focal length 200mm, shutter speed 1/350 or more. It's so easy to forget that sometimes I don't need it and leave it switched on, after all VR is a low light slow shutter speed tool.

Richard

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Thanks all, will also search for that article.

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Sorry, I meant to attach the link http://www.bythom.com/nikon-vr.htm

Richard

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Many thanks

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VR can still help while framing even though the function is not needed for the actual exposure. Is there a way to control this that anyone knows of so you can use it while focusing or framing but not while exposing?

I guess activate VR then depress the shutter release button halfway to compose and frame, then turn it off before actuating the shutter. Not easy and would take some dexterity!

Richard

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Hi Richard,


>I guess activate VR then depress the shutter release button
>halfway to compose and frame, then turn it off before
>actuating the shutter. Not easy and would take some
>dexterity!

The problem with that strategy is that when you release the shutter VR will activate and won't have enough time to reach equallibrium resulting in a blurry image.
If you don't want to use VR, turn it off.
If you do want to use VR and the AF On button to focus, make sure you press and hold the shutter release button half way to allow the VR to stabilize before releasing the shutter. Yes, it requires holding both buttons down, or you can release the AF On button if your subject is static, but you have to keep the shutter release button pressed half way until you release the shutter.
Good Luck and Enjoy your Nikons!

Best Regards,
Marty

Thanks, yes I see that. It's not normally a problem with me as when shooting wildlife I'm using very high shutter speeds at list 1.5 times more than the focal length of the lens, so VR is off anyway. With landscapes I usually tripod mount anyway so VR is off.

Richard

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