A question about VR

[Oneputt]

Playing with my new lens this morning I note that when focussing and when I take my finger off the shutter release, the lens makes a funny little noise.

My question - is this normal?

[jethro]

mine clicks and shudders only slightly though. when i shoot sport and im panning the lens constantly makes noises. what you are explaining sounds normal

[Oneputt]

I was actrually using AFC focus mode tracking surfers. Glad to hear that it is normal.

[jethro]

thats the same mode it happens to me in. it sounds a bit intense at first and then you become oblivious to it. with your surf shots do you use a converter? and im gathering this lens is the 70-200????

[tsanglabs]

Thats the beauty of VR in action.

I would be worried if I did not hear the hum from my VR when focusing.

[gstark]

John,

That's perfectly normal.

Try this: look through the viewfinder and acquire focus. Make an exposure and then fully release the shutter button, keeping your eye to the viewfinder. About a half second after you release the shutter you'll see the image "jump" as the VR mechanism releases its "hold" on your image.

This too is perfectly normal (it's mentioned in the lens's manual) and the noise you're hearing will be the VR releasing that hold on your image.

Which lens did you get, and are you enjoying it thus far? (I'll bet I know the answer to the second part of this question, btw) ...

[Oneputt]

Gary the 80-400 and love the feel of it. When I get home this evening I will see the results of this mornings work

[gstark]

John,

Nice lens (I have one) and so muuuuuuch sharper than the Bigma.

Try shooting 1 -2 stops down from wide open; you will not be disappointed.

[Hlop]

Try shooting 1 -2 stops down from wide open; you will not be disappointed.

Gary,

I've got this lens too. Question is what's wrong with wide open? Why it's better to shoot 1-2 stops down?

[birddog114]

The VR noise on the 80-400 is more noticeable than the 70-200VR.

[Hlop]

The VR noise on the 80-400 is more noticeable than the 70-200VR.

Was it answer to my question or just a bit of additional info?

I don't have any problem with noise at wide open aperture. My only problem with 80-400 is chromatic abberations on high contrast scenes. So, I thought Gary's solution has something to do with it. Just need some clarification

[birddog114]

My answer is for oneputt about the noise he got on the 80-400VR, my explaination to him: the 80-400VR is AF and the 70-200VR is AF-S, therefore people may notice two difference levels of noice when VR activated between the two.

Wide or not wide open does make difference with the noise.

[Hlop]

My answer is for oneputt about the noise he got on the 80-400VR, my explaination to him: the 80-400VR is AF and the 70-200VR is AF-S, therefore people may notice two difference levels of noice when VR activated between the two.

Wide or not wide open does make difference with the noise.

Sorry, I forgot that there are two noises - one is real noise (sound) and another is "virtual" noise on pictures

[Glen]

Mikhail, many lenses perform better stopped done one or two stops, though some lenses are at their best wide open (generally pro lenses). I don't have the 80-400 but guessing from the aperture 4.5 - 5.6 and Gary's comments, I would suggest that is what he means, best performance at f8 or so.

[Hlop]

I don't have the 80-400 but guessing from the aperture 4.5 - 5.6 and Gary's comments, I would suggest that is what he means, best performance at f8 or so.

Uh-huh! Thanks Glen! I'll try it

[Oneputt]

f8 was what I shot at today but due to really lousy weather I did not get the best of results.

[gstark]

Try shooting 1 -2 stops down from wide open; you will not be disappointed.

Gary,

I've got this lens too. Question is what's wrong with wide open? Why it's better to shoot 1-2 stops down?

Mikhail,

Nothing wrong with the lens wide open, but as Glen says, with most lenses - and this one is no exception - you'll get the best optical performance 1 - 2 stops down.

Try shooting a chain wire fence at a half kilometer or more, and you'll see exactly what I mean.

[Hlop]

Mikhail,

Nothing wrong with the lens wide open, but as Glen says, with most lenses - and this one is no exception - you'll get the best optical performance 1 - 2 stops down.

Try shooting a chain wire fence at a half kilometer or more, and you'll see exactly what I mean.

Thanks Gary. Now it seems to be clear to me