| THE
VR TECHNOLOGY
To
put it simply, Vibration Reduction
(hence the term VR) minimizes
image blur caused by camera shake.
.
|
|
The
Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED AF Zoom lens VR System
|
The
VR systems allows for about 8 times slower shutter speeds; that
is, the equivalent of 3 stops. For example, a picture to be unblurred,
even in the hands of a well seasoned photog, might need at least
a 1/250 of a second at 300mm; with the VR you can safely take
the speed down from 1/250, through 1/125, 1/60, to 1/30 of a sec.
So
the lens, with an aperture of f/4.5 effectively -and approximately-
becomes a f/1.8 lens; until the lens is extended all the way to
400mm focal length when it turns into a f/5.6, equivalent -due
to the VR system- to a f/2. Wow!
In
the field this means that you will not loose many photo making
opportunities because there was not enough light or because you
don't have a tripod with you at the moment. So, it allows handheld
super telephoto zoom shooting at dusk, at night and even in poorly
lit interiors.
It
does it through three sets of sensors, one for angular movement,
another for yawing, one more for pitching. These then send instructions
to motor drivers to compensate for the lens movement detected.
It obviously has a CPU controlling the affair, since when panning
horizontally, for example, it only applies compensation for possible
vertical shake.
To
all of this, add some other goodies, like the Nikon Super Integrated
Coating and three ED (Extra Low Dispersion) elements and you have
a tremendous piece of glass at your service.
Quite
a temptation despite its price, low when compared with the prime
options. |
