I Stand Corrected! VR Works...
I had a strong opinion a few weeks back about whether the Nikon VR works, that it didn't work... Well, I stand corrected. This past weekend I was shooting the cross-country phase at a horse trial, and I decided to use the VR on the gallop shots that I usually do on shutter-priority at 1/60 second. I shoot all jumps at aperture priority, f2.8, so in all cases I had only a few seconds to switch modes and turn the VR on or off on a D200. You just have to get used to the routine and not turn the wheel the wrong way.
I think these shots had a much higher success rate, getting more of the subject in "clarity" more often. This is a set where the riders were coming up a hill and under a tree where they had to duck, and a lot of them had a good laugh later. I don't have any "on" and "off" comparisons, but I know that these shots were much better than in the past. Definitely switching to this feature on all future shows! (It was a gray rainy day.. Each of these have had a simple conrast correction and sharpening in Nikon Editor):
This one actually WAS ducking under the branch..
For those who want to do this, no matter if you have VR/IS or not, this technique requires really steady hand held positioning, and you have to concentrate on keeping your viewfinder targeted steadily on something on the subject. I use the saddlepad, as it fits in the center rectangle in the Nikon viewfinder, but it moves not only sideways, but up and down with the gallop rhythm. I suggest your left elbow firmly to your ribs, left palm up under the lens, camera firm against your face, and turn your hips for the movement, not your hands.. Practice at slower speeds, like 1/10, and 1/60 will be a snap!
I think these shots had a much higher success rate, getting more of the subject in "clarity" more often. This is a set where the riders were coming up a hill and under a tree where they had to duck, and a lot of them had a good laugh later. I don't have any "on" and "off" comparisons, but I know that these shots were much better than in the past. Definitely switching to this feature on all future shows! (It was a gray rainy day.. Each of these have had a simple conrast correction and sharpening in Nikon Editor):
This one actually WAS ducking under the branch..
For those who want to do this, no matter if you have VR/IS or not, this technique requires really steady hand held positioning, and you have to concentrate on keeping your viewfinder targeted steadily on something on the subject. I use the saddlepad, as it fits in the center rectangle in the Nikon viewfinder, but it moves not only sideways, but up and down with the gallop rhythm. I suggest your left elbow firmly to your ribs, left palm up under the lens, camera firm against your face, and turn your hips for the movement, not your hands.. Practice at slower speeds, like 1/10, and 1/60 will be a snap!
Mark
www.HoofClix.com / Personal Facebook / Facebook Page
and I do believe its true.. that there are roads left in both of our shoes..
www.HoofClix.com / Personal Facebook / Facebook Page
and I do believe its true.. that there are roads left in both of our shoes..
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Sorry I didn't explain that! It was my 70-200 f2.8 VR.. Standard horse show lens...
www.HoofClix.com / Personal Facebook / Facebook Page
and I do believe its true.. that there are roads left in both of our shoes..