I've primarily been a still photographer for the past couple decades, and so I have several Nikkor Vibration Reduction (VR) lenses in my kit. I absolutely love the sharpness and bokeh of the VR f/2.8 80-200, and while the VR 24-120 is a little slower (f/3.5-5.6), I still use it on just about every shoot.
As with most other aspects of D90 digital video, the Vibration Reduction has a lot of room for improvement. I've found that the VR on the 24-120 tends to be rather jerky, even when I'm using a tripod or monopod. Instead of smoothly compensating for lens shake, the VR seems to jerk from one side to the other. I guess that's probably a result of its origins in still photography. I'd share some of my 24-120 VR footage, but thus far it's been so appalling that it hasn't been worth saving. I'm hoping that maybe in time Nikon will release a firmware update that will address the VR jerkiness, but I won't hold my breath waiting...
On the other hand, the VR on the 80-200 has performed quite well in video mode. The 80-200 offers two VR modes- one that compensates for only vertical lens shake, and a second, "Active," mode which compensates for both vertical and horizontal lens shake.
When mounted to a tripod via the lens collar and in the Active mode, I've found that the VR substantially smooths tilts and pans. I haven't had the opportunity yet to try the 80-200 VR on a monopod, but my gut feeling is that the results wouldn't be all that pretty.
Has anyone else used Nikkor VR lenses successfully on the D90?
As with most other aspects of D90 digital video, the Vibration Reduction has a lot of room for improvement. I've found that the VR on the 24-120 tends to be rather jerky, even when I'm using a tripod or monopod. Instead of smoothly compensating for lens shake, the VR seems to jerk from one side to the other. I guess that's probably a result of its origins in still photography. I'd share some of my 24-120 VR footage, but thus far it's been so appalling that it hasn't been worth saving. I'm hoping that maybe in time Nikon will release a firmware update that will address the VR jerkiness, but I won't hold my breath waiting...
On the other hand, the VR on the 80-200 has performed quite well in video mode. The 80-200 offers two VR modes- one that compensates for only vertical lens shake, and a second, "Active," mode which compensates for both vertical and horizontal lens shake.
When mounted to a tripod via the lens collar and in the Active mode, I've found that the VR substantially smooths tilts and pans. I haven't had the opportunity yet to try the 80-200 VR on a monopod, but my gut feeling is that the results wouldn't be all that pretty.
Has anyone else used Nikkor VR lenses successfully on the D90?