Nikon lenses with vibration reduction

 

Introduction

Photographers often have problems in keeping the camera + lens and/or other accessories in a stable position. We all know that vibrations may ruin a picture. Vibrations made by ourselves (heartbeat, breathing, body movements, etc.) or by the equipment we use, because it is too heavy, or there isn´t simply enough light. There is a golden rule: focal length = minimum shutter speed. So using a lens with a focal length of 100mm. we need to set at least a shutter speed of 1/100 sec. We may look for a support of the equipment like a wall, railing or tripod. Up to focal lengths of 200 mm. we may succeed in producing a sharp image, but using lenses with longer focal lengths or working in dim light we´ll have a problem. Some decades ago several techniques were invented to eliminate yawing and pitching movements. Nikon was a bit late (in 2001) with the introduction of cameras and lenses with a vibration reduction system. Its rival Canon Camera Co. already had a nice bunch of lenses when Nikon introduced its first VR-lens. But Nikon is catching up on its competitors quickly and nowadays Nikon offers a wide range of very nice and needle-sharp lenses. In many Coolpix digital rangefinder cameras VR is integrated as well. And.........in all honesty I am compelled to say that Nikon introduced in 1994 the first compact camera ever with a VR-zoom lens: the sophisticated and very pricey Nikon Zoom 700VR (in the USA: 105VR).

Somewhere in the middle of a lens a certain number of elements are surrounded by sensors and little motors. When the sensors are determining some movements the motors are moving the elements in the opposite direction to undo all vibrations. All these techniques make it possible to handheld camera and lenses at low shutter speeds. Disadvantage is that those VR-lenses are using the power of a camera, which makes it necessary to carry extra batteries.

Important!!

Most Coolpix cameras with integrated VR-features and the following VR-lenses can be used on a tripod but the vibration reduction feature should be put ´off´: Coolpix 8800, AF-S VR 24-120mm/3.5-5.6 G, AF-S VR 70-200mm/2.8 G and AF-VR 80-400mm/4.5-5.6. All other VR-lenses may be mounted on a tripod with VR ´on´. When using a VR-lens on a monopod VR should be switched ´on´. Most lenses have at least two VR-modes. Mode one is when you are stand still, mode two is for those who are moving (riding or flying etc.).

All G-lenses mentioned below do not have an aperture ring. All lenses with a long focal length come with a tripod rotating connector/collar, a zoom limiter and a button to switch from AF (auto focus) to MF (manual focus). All lenses mentioned here can be used with the Nikon TC-14E II, TC-17E II and TC-20E II teleconverters. On the other hand not all Nikon SLR cameras for film and/or digital photography may benefit from the vibration reduction feature. Please study the manual of the camera.

 

both pictures were taken handheld with a Nikon D1X + VR-Nikkor 4.5-5.6/80-400 mm. at 1/80 sec. at 5.6/400 mm.

 

Lens reviews

(stay tuned! more info will follow)

 

AF-S VR Micro 2.8/105 mm. G

 

AF-S VR 3.5-5.6/16-85 mm. G

 

AF-S VR 3.5-5.6/18-55 mm. G

 

AF-S VR 18-200 mm. G

 

AF-S VR 3.5-5.6/24-120 mm. G

Early 2003 this lens was introduced. It features 15 lenses - of which 2 are of ED-glass and 2 are aspherical - in 13 groups, an aperture of 7 blades, a filter ring of 72mm., alle lenses ae coated with Super Nikon Integrated Coating. Among all VR-lenses this lens has a surprisingly short minmum distance of 0.5 meter. The original hood is HB-25. This very nice lens is weighting in at 575 gram. In the extreme focal lengths this lens has some inevitable cussion distortion, but it remains sharp.

AF-S VR 55-200 mm. G

 

AF-S VR 2.8/70-200 mm. G

This beautiful lens was introduced in February 2002. It consists of 21 elements - of which 5 are made of ED-glass - in 15 groups. All elements received the SNIC. Aperture with 9 blades for nice images runs from 2.8-22., Minimum distance is 1.4 meter in MF and 1.5 meter inAF. The lens takes 77mm. filters and the hood HB-29. It weight is 1430 gram.

 

AF-S VR 70-300 mm. G

 

AF VR 4.5-5.6/80-400 mm.

This lens - introduced in 2000 - was Nikon´s first zoom Nikkor a built-in with vibration reduction system. It is a construction of 17 elements in 11 groups with an aperture range from 4.5 - 32. The non-turning frontlens accepts 77 mm. filters and the HB-24 hood. The lens has a length of 18 cm. but at full zoom (400 mm.) it is 24 cm. long!

 

AF-s VR 2/200 mm. G

This very fast lens was introduced in June 2004. It has 13 elements in 9 groups. Three elements are made of ED-glass and 1 element of Super ED-glass. It is said that Super ED has more ´elasticity´ to avoid distortion at high temperatures. Many lenses will become warm or even hot when they are used in bright sunlight. Not only metal parts but also optical glass may expand which may result in a focus distortion. Minimum distance is 1.90 meter. The removable front lens is a protective lens.

 

AF-S VR 4/200-400 mm. G

In Summer 2003 this huge lens was introduced. It has 24 elements in 17 groups, 4 are of ED-glass. Its minimum distance is 2 meter, it takes 52mm. filters and weights in at 3275 gram.

 

AF-S VR 2.8/300 mm. G

This VR-version of the very popular fast 300mm. came on the market in September 2004. It has a redesigned optical system of 11 elements in 8 groups (3 are ED), plus a protective front lens (this time a meniscus lens). Some elements are coated with the new nano-crystal coating. ,52mm. filter can be used. This needle-sharp and fast lens weights in at 2.85 kilo.

AF-S VR 2.8/400 mm. G

 

AF-S VR 4/500 mm. G

 

AF-S VR 4/600 mm. G

 

A comprehensive source of lens data can be found here