Question About Nikon VR Lenses

newb

So I noticed a while back that with my 18-55mm kit lens when I half pressed and held the shutter button, shortly after releasing it the lens would make an audible click and the image would move in the veiw finder. I never noticed it when the lens was new, so I just figured it was a cheap lens that was getting old.

I now notice that my 70-200mm lens does the same thing. Also, while the shutter button is half pressed I can hear a quiet buzzing sound. I assume thats the VR workin. I can confirm this by tunring VR off and everything seems fine.

I was wondering if this is normal, or if this is something that needs service before it becomes a bigger problem. Thanks.

jfriend

Perfectly normal.

www.SGphoto.us

that's how mine has always been

Icebear

Normal

newb

Thats great! I was gettin pretty nervous about the 70-200 needin service. Thanks for all the answers.

Matthew Saville

Can't you turn that off though, so that it doesn't waste batteries by doing VR all the time you half-press, and only doing VR for the split second you expose the shot? I thought if you turned the VR to "normal" instead of "active", or something similar, that the viewfinder image wouldn't "wiggle" as much, and I'd save batteries.

=Matt=

ImageX Photography

Matthew Saville wrote: »

Can't you turn that off though, so that it doesn't waste batteries by doing VR all the time you half-press, and only doing VR for the split second you expose the shot? I thought if you turned the VR to "normal" instead of "active", or something similar, that the viewfinder image wouldn't "wiggle" as much, and I'd save batteries.

=Matt=

Correct.

Nikon - "Nikon’s VR System offers Normal mode and Active mode, original technologies to help you cover various shooting situations. In Normal mode, slow and wide camera movement is regarded as recomposing movement and VR operation is controlled accordingly. In Active mode, however, even large amounts of camera movement are compensated for to give a smooth viewfinder image. This mode is quite useful when shooting from a moving vehicle or some other unstable position."

jfriend

Matthew Saville wrote: »

Can't you turn that off though, so that it doesn't waste batteries by doing VR all the time you half-press, and only doing VR for the split second you expose the shot? I thought if you turned the VR to "normal" instead of "active", or something similar, that the viewfinder image wouldn't "wiggle" as much, and I'd save batteries.

=Matt=

If VR is enabled, it is always ON when you half-press. There is no way I know of on any Nikon camera to change that. If you want to be able to pre-focus or track focus without VR engaging, then you can pre-focus with AF-ON and only engage VR with the half press when you're ready to take the shot.

Certainly VR must require some battery power, but I've never been able to notice a battery consumption difference with and without VR on. T'hat has simply not been an issue for me. I use VR when I need it, turn it off when I don't need it and don't worry about the battery consequences of using it when I need it.

newb

I should have mentioned that this is with the VR set to normal. But, like I said, my 18-55mm does the same thing minus the buzzing sound while half pressed. The 18-55mm only has the option for VR on or off, no normal or active.

www.SGphoto.us

Matthew Saville wrote: »

Can't you turn that off though, so that it doesn't waste batteries by doing VR all the time you half-press, and only doing VR for the split second you expose the shot? I thought if you turned the VR to "normal" instead of "active", or something similar, that the viewfinder image wouldn't "wiggle" as much, and I'd save batteries.

=Matt=

it dosnt really waste all that much battery power, and if you are worried about it, just cary a spare in your pocket. its good to keep a spare anyway.