Vibration Reduction

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Vibration Reduction, or VR, is a Nikon lens technology which uses a moving voice coil to cancel out vibrations in the lens due to hand-holding. It should be switched off for use on tripod.

Normal VR is the general setting, and cancels left to right motion. Active VR is for use on a moving platform, such as a car, and cancels motion in all directions.

VR compensates for up to 2 EV of shutter speed. Vibration Reduction II, VR II can compensate for up to 4 EV.

Vibration reduction delays the shot slightly, possibly thereby recomposing it. It may also introduce a slight motion blur of its own, seen as a faint double image at full resolution.

VR has no benefit when there is sufficient light for the shutter speed selected, but there is blur because the subject is moving.