Do you use VR or IS underwater?

[Draq 118]

Curious about this.  I have read differing opinions on the value or potential downsides to using VR underwater.  Opinions range from "it can compromise image quality, like on a tripod" to "why not?" to  "absolutely."  Others have said only on stationary or slow moving objects, or with only certain lenses.

Curious as to what you folks think about this.   As for me, so far I have always left it on.  So far.

[ColdDarkDiver 25]

I keep mine on at all times - both lens and IBIS.  I can shoot well slower than I should be able to and end up with sharp images.  This is a 1/16th which isn't that slow for 14mm but still pretty amazingly slow.  

 

And this one is 1/12th of a sec at 20mm.  You can see how slow it is by the bubble stream but the ice is sharp - even though the diver shows a little movement. Not the best composition, but shows how nice IS can be.

I think that turning off IS would remove photographic opportunities, especially in low light so I keep it on.  I've never seen a degradation by leaving it on (that I have noticed).

 

[ChrisRoss 150]

Always on for me, I can't see any downside.  I've heard various arguments but I've neevr had an issue land or water I could put down to the IS.

[hyp 111]

I think the myth that you should turn off IS on a tripod is something that goes back to the early times of IS. These days, the systems are much more sophisticated. Underwater, there is always movement, so it's hardly like a tripod anyway.

[Architeuthis 155]

As the others, I always let IS on (I do not know what is VR?). IS is very helpful in low light (e.g. grottos), here an example at 0,5s; f 6.3; ISO1600 (Oly EM1II with Canon 8-15mm fisheye @8mm; NA 140 domeport; handheld):

 

Wolfgang

Edited January 10 by Architeuthis

[TimG 62]

1 hour ago, Architeuthis said:

(I do not know what is VR?)

It's the Nikon version of IS: "Vibration Reduction".

[Draq 118]

1 hour ago, Architeuthis said:

As the others, I always let IS on (I do not know what is VR?).

 

 

Wolfgang

VR is vibration reduction in Nikon terms.  Basically the same function as IS in Canon terms

[Draq 118]

Not an overwhelming number of responses but it appears unanimous.

[TimG 62]

I must admit I never use VR underwater. I couldn’t tell you why. Maybe I just figure in tropical waters, with strobes camera shake is not an issue.  

[Draq 118]

2 hours ago, TimG said:

I must admit I never use VR underwater. I couldn’t tell you why. Maybe I just figure in tropical waters, with strobes camera shake is not an issue.  

Ah, at last....a radical!

[TimG 62]

39 minutes ago, Draq said:

Ah, at last....a radical!

A free radical?

Yeah, never saw the need. Although topside I use VR all the time.

[Draq 118]

It just never really occurred to me to turn it off.  

After posting this topic, my curiosity drove me to a little internet "research."  There were a couple threads on the topic here on Wetpixel many years ago, but there does not seem to be a hard consensus on IS or VR underwater.  

I found this long article interesting:  https://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/lens-articles/lens-technique/all-about-nikon-vr.html

VR does reduce battery life, so there is that.

This is from Nikon: 

Using VR Lenses on Tripod The Vibration Reduction technology built in to some Nikon lenses can reduce or eliminate vibration or movement in the camera during shooting. When the camera is on a tripod there will be very little (if any) movement so the question arises if VR should be used or not. In general, VR should be "Off" for all VR lenses when the camera is mounted on a tripod.  Except the following lens; VR can be "On" when the camera is mounted on a tripod:  AF-S VR 200-400mm f4         When mounted on a monopod, VR should be "On" for all lenses.

Nikon has a webpage on the general VR subject:    https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/a/products-and-innovation/vibration-reduction.html

I find myself wondering about the the impact of the underwater environment on the idea that the lens can detect and account for movement such as being in a moving vehicle.  

My favorite lens is the 8-15 which does not have VR so that one is easy.  If I can remember to do so, I am thinking I might turn off VR on the 18-55 with the WACP and using flash and shutter speeds of 1/50 and above, but leave it on when shooting macro with a 60 or 85mm.

Not sure, though.

 

[hyp 111]

Underwater is certainly closer to a Monopod than a tripod so I believe it’s clear that on is better than off. 

[Draq 118]

1 hour ago, hyp said:

Underwater is certainly closer to a Monopod than a tripod so I believe it’s clear that on is better than off. 

Or maybe underwater is like a non-o-pod?  ;-)

 

[Stoo 42]

I don't. Shipwrecks don't move much, and I don't either. Water makes a tremendous damper I think.

I don't use it on my macro lenses either... Stuff just doesn't move erratically, and I don't either.

Edited January 15 by Stoo