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 simply isn´t enough light to set at high shutter speeds. 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).

 

As shown above in the middle of a lens a certain element is 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.). Below you'll see (from top down) the buttons to change from manual to auto focus, to limit the focusing (to increase focusing speed at long distances), ON/OFF button and 'normal' and 'active' button: the two VR-modes mentioned before.

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 film cameras may benefit from the vibration reduction feature. The Nikon F-75, F-80, F-100, F5 and F6 and all digital SLR cameras may take an AF-S VR-lens (except the older VR-Nikkor 80-400mm.). Please study the manual of the camera.

 

Left without and right with VR: both pictures were taken handheld with a Nikon D1X + VR-Nikkor 4.5-5.6/80-400 mm. at 1/8 sec. at 5/145 mm.

 

 

Lens reviews

 

AF-S Micro-Nikkor 2.8/105 mm. G VR

This is the world's first SLR lens for macro-photography with a built-in Silent Wave Motor and a vibration reduction system! In this very useful focal length Nikon offered since 1984 excellent optics. The popular manual 'father' was succeeded by the auto focus micro-Nikkor - featuring floating elements and a focus limiter - in 1990, followed by the D-version in 1993. In February 2006 this VR-version was introduced. It has an optical construction of 14 elements (of which the element right behind the aperture blades is made of ED-glass) in 12 groups, nano-crystal coating on some elements and a Silent Wave Motor for very fast focusing down to 31 cm. at a comfortable object/working distance of 15 cm. With its 790 gram this lens gives a stabile grip. The lens comes with hood HB-38.

 

AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 4/16-35 mm. G ED VR

In February 2010 Nikon introduced the 'world's first ultra wide-angle 16-35 mm FX-format compatible zoom lens with built-in vibration reduction', as Nikon stated it in its press release. Because the maximum aperture of this lens isn't that large the VR-feature is very welcome. The lens has 17 elements (of which two have ED-glass and two are aspheric) in 12 groups. Nano-crystal coating has been used as well. It has a Silent Wave Motor for quiet and fast auto focusing. The filter thread is 77mm. and the lens weights in at 680 gram.

 

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

Three aspheric lenses and two elements made of ED-glass are making this zoom lens - weighting in at 485 gram - an excellent performer for reporters. It was introduced in January 2008. The total optical construction consists of 17 elements in 11 groups with 7 aperture blades. The built-in Silent Wave Motor allows fast focusing down to 38 cm. Best hood is HB-39. Equivalent viewing angle at FX format is 24 - 127.5 mm.

 

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

This is a relatively cheap but good zoom lens, often offered in a kit with one of the popular amateur digital Nikon SLR's, was introduced in November 2007. It is based at the non-VR version, introduced in April 2005 and upgraded in November 2006. It has an optical construction of 11 elements - of which the front element is aspheric - in 8 groups. The built-in Silent Wave Motor makes focusing down to 28 cm. very fast. This light (265 gram) lens doesn't have a strong body but for its price a very nice performer. It comes with hood HB-45.

 

AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 3.5-5.6/18-105 mm. G VR

In August 2008 this lens was introduced. Some decades ago it was unthinkable to produce a lens with this zoom range! Nikon did it, however! It has 15 elements (of which one is aspheric and one other is made of ED-glass) in 11 groups. Mounted on a light digital SLR this light (420 gram) lens is a very nice general photography tool. It comes with hood HB-32.

 

AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 3.5-5.6/18-200 mm. G VR

With a magnification in its zoom range of more than 11 times this optical wonder - offered since November 2005 - covers the viewing angle of a great deal of wide-angle to tele-lenses. It has a very complex optical construction of 16 elements, of which 3 are aspheric and two others are made of ED-glass, in 12 groups. The Silent Wave Motor makes internal focusing down to 50 cm. a fast and quiet job. This lens overshadows all 'other-brand' lenses with the same focal range, but doesn't outperform Nikkors with a shorter focus range. Nevertheless a nice reporter's lens. This relatively light (560 gram) lens comes with hood HB-35. A second edition with improved VR-facilities, but with an identical optical formula, was introduced in July 2009.

 

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

Early 2003 this lens was introduced. It features 15 lenses - of which 2 are of ED-glass and 2 are aspheric - in 13 groups, an aperture of 7 blades, a filter ring of 72mm., all lenses are coated with Super Nikon Integrated Coating. Among all VR-lenses this lens has a surprisingly short minimum 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 cushion distortion, but it remains sharp.

 

AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 4/24-120 G-ED VR

In August 2010 Nikon introduced this lens with an optical design of 17 elements in 13 groups. Two elements are made of ED-glass, while 3 elements are aspheric and some elements are featuring the Nano Crystal coating. The lens focuses down to 45 cm., uses 77 mm. filters, weights in at 710 gram and may be used with the HB-53 hood.

 

AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 3.5-5.6/28-300 mm. G-ED VR

Nikon had to face the competition of those fellow lens makers that already offered a zoom lens with such a large zoom range. In August 2010 Nikon entered into that battle with this lens, featuring 19 (!) elements in 14 groups (2 ED elements & 3 aspheric elements). This lens focuses down to 50 cm. uses 77 mm. filters and weights in at 800 gram. The best hood is HB-50. The huge zoom range may be useful for general photography but also Nikon engineers have to tackle various optical problems in designing such a lens. Don't expect excellent performance at both ends of the zoom range.

 

AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 4-5.6/55-200 mm. G VR

An other so called kit lens, often offered together with the 18-55mm. zoom lens, described above. In April 2005 the non-VR version was introduced; the VR-version is offered since March 2007. With 15 elements - of which one is made of ED-glass - in 11 groups, built-in Silent Wave Motor, a weight of 335 gram and internal focusing, it produces more than acceptable images. Not made for professional use, though! It comes with hood HB-37.

 

AF-S Zoom-Nikkor DX 4.5-5.6/55-300 mm. G-ED VR

Mid August 2010 Nikon introduced this long range Zoom-Nikkor featuring a very complex optical design, consisting of 17 elements in 11 groups. 2 elements are made of Extra Dispersion (ED) glass and one element with High Refractive Index. This "offers the same benefits of standard optical glass and compensates focal plane curvature and spherical aberration" as Nikon explains this special HRI element. The use of this (glass?) element reduces the weight as well. The lens can be focused down to 1.4 meter, uses 58 mm. filters and weights in at 530 gram. The best hood is HB-57.

 

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

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 Super Nikon Integrated Coating. Aperture with 9 blades for nice images runs from 2.8-22., Minimum distance is 1.4 meter in MF and 1.5 meter in AF. The lens takes 77mm. filters and the hood HB-29. It weight is 1430 gram. By the end of July 2009 an improved version was introduced. The optical formula has been slightly changed into 21 elements in 16 groups. 7 elements are made of ED-glass and some elements have received the famous nano-crystal coating in order to avoid internal reflections.

 

AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 4.5-5.6/70-300 mm. G VR

This popular lens - among amateur photographers - was introduced as an auto focus lens back in August 1998. Its version in G-mount (and unfortunately a plastic lens mount) was put on the market in August 2000. The VR-version, with 2 elements made of ED-glass (total optical construction is 17 elements in 12 groups!) and a built-in Silent Wave Motor is a better performer. It focuses down to 150 cm. and comes with hood HB-36. More than one million lenses (of all versions) were sold already!

 

AF Zoom-Nikkor 4.5-5.6/80-400 mm. VR

This lens - introduced in 2000 - was Nikon´s first exchangeable SLR Zoom-Nikkor featuring a built-in vibration reduction system. It is a construction of 17 elements in 11 groups with an aperture range from 4.5 - 32. The non-turning front lens 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! Unfortunately the performance at the long end (400 mm.) of the zoom range is disappointing.

 

AF-S Nikkor 2/200 mm. G VR

This beautiful lens - introduced in 2004 - has nothing to do with the manual focus 2/200 mm. The optical design of this new lens - AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm. f/2G IF-ED - is totally new. The auto focus version has an optical construction of 13 elements in 9 groups (the manual version 10 elements in 8 groups). 3 elements are made of ED-glass and one of Super-ED* glass. It has a silent wave motor for quick internal focusing, distance data transfer and the vibration reduction feature + focus memory recall. The latter enables the photographer to set the focus on a certain distance. The VR-system has 2 settings: Normal for handheld shooting and Active for handheld shooting while sitting on/in e.g. a car or motor bike. Needle sharp at all apertures and distances, down to 1.90 meter. A pity is the G-mount, thus having no aperture ring and its weight: 2900 gram.

* 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. The removable front lens is a protective lens.

 

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

In Summer 2003 this huge lens was introduced. It has 24 elements in 17 groups, 4 elements are of ED-glass. Its minimum focusing distance is 2 meter, it takes 52mm. filters and weights in at 3275 gram. An upgraded version of this lens was introduced in April 2010. Optical formula remained the same, although some elements are now 'covered' with Nikon's famous nano-crystal coating, in order to reduce flair and ghost light beams. The Vibration Reduction system has been improved as well; in Nikon's terminology VR II. The lens features auto focus with manual override and it has a detachable protective glass at its front. The new lens weights in at 3360 gr.

 

AF-S Nikkor 2.8/300 mm. G VR

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. drop-in filter can be used. This needle-sharp and fast lens weights in at 2.85 kilo. Mid December 2009 Nikon introduced an upgraded version of the lens; optical system remains the same, but an auto focus with manual override is the new feature. The lens has now three focus modes (auto focus with manual override, AF priority and manual priority).

 

The three beautiful lenses shown below were all introduced in August 2007. They all have a built-in Silent Wave Motor, at least 3 lens elements of special Extra Dispersion (ED) glass and a protective meniscus front lens and they may be used with 52 mm. drop-in filters. On some elements Nikon has used its famous nano-crystal coating and all three are featuring Nikon's improved vibration reduction system (VR II). Needless to say that these lenses are razor-sharp at all apertures and all distances! Any image made with these lenses will impress you (as well as their price!)

AF-S Nikkor 2.8/400 mm. G VR

The optical formula of this lens consists of 14 elements in 11 groups; it can be focused down to 2.8 meter. The lens weights in at 4620 gr. and the best hood is HK-33.

 

AF-S Nikkor 4/500 mm. G VR

The optical formula consists of 14 elements in 11 groups, close focus down to 4 meter, weight is 3880 gr. and the best hood is HK-34

 

AF-S Nikkor 4/600 mm. G VR

The optical formula consists of 15 elements in 11 groups, close focus down to 5 meter, weights in at 5060 gr. and uses hood HK-35.

 

 

A comprehensive source of lens data can be found here