Vibration Reduction (VR) system compensates for image blur caused by

small, involuntary movements (from wobbly hands, shooting from a

moving vehicle, etc) which are called camera shake. This system can be
found in many Nikon products, such as interchangeable lenses for SLR
cameras, digital cameras and binoculars. In this issue, the principles of
VR will be explained by using an interchangeable SLR lens as an example.

Fig. 1 shows how the light from subject (A) reaches focal plane (A’)
through the lens.* Without camera shake, light from A converges at A’.
However, if the camera's lens moves up or down (ie. camera shake — see
arrow) the light from A will converge on A”. This gap results in image
blur. The VR System works by adjusting the lens to compensate for
camera shake and to make sure light from A converges on A’. Each VR
Unit contains a VR lens elements and driving motors to make this happen.

*(For the sake of simplicity, this diagram shows only one lens element. In actuality, an
interchangeable VR lens has many lens elements.)

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

To compensate for image blur caused by camera shake, the angular

velocity (amount of camera shake) should be detected accurately. Two
angular velocity sensors are used in the VR System. One detects
"pitching" (vertical movement), while the other detects "yawing"
(horizontal movement). Diagonal movements are detected by combining
the results of both sensors. These sensors detect camera movement as
angular velocity every 1/1000 second. Angular velocity data is sent to a
microcomputer built right into lens, which then calculates the amount of
compensation needed. After this data is transmitted to the VR unit, the
adjustments are made instantaneously. (Fig. 2)

The built-in microcomputer calculates the amount of lens movement

necessary using data from the angular velocity sensors. Commands are
sent to two VCMs (Voice Coil Motors), which move the VR lens in a
particular direction. This is controlled by the electric current inside the
VCM's magnetic field. One motor controls the vertical, while the other
controls horizontal, with both working together to compensate for
diagonal movement.

With most interchangeable VR lenses, VR operation is activated by lightly

pressing on the shutter release button. When a photographer is
recomposing a picture while keeping the shutter release button half
pressed, the system can instantly tell whether camera movement is
intentional or caused by camera shake and act accordingly. For example
VR does not compensate for recomposing movement that camera
movement, because if it did, the photographer could have difficulty
accomplishing the desired composition.

Nikon's VR System changes operation algorithms when the shutter

release button is lightly pressed and during exposure. Therefore, when
the shutter release button is lightly pressed, the VR lens gives you a
smooth viewfinder image. During the exposure, however, the algorithm
changes to compensate for every slight movement. What's more, just
before exposure, the VR lens will reset to central position (optical axis)
from an off-centered position which is a result of VR operation during the
shutter release button is lightly pressed. Since the shift amount of the VR
lens is limited, this operation maximizes VR effects as well as optical
performance. Only Nikon has this "Centering Before Exposure" feature.
(Fig. 3)

Image blur caused by camera shake generally occurs with shutter speeds
slower than 1/[focal length] in 35mm format equivalent. Nikon's latest
VRII lenses offer the ability to shoot at shutter speeds 4 steps faster.
Fig. 3
*Simulated image.

When the AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED is used

at 200mm focal length: A photographer shooting at a 1/125 second
shutter speed may avoid camera shake 70% of the time. By using the VR
system, he or she can achieve the same results at a speed of 1/8 second
(4 steps slower than 1/125 second: 1/60-1/30-1/15-1/8)*. 

*Effect of VR System varies by photographer.

In addition to the "Centering Before Exposure" System, Nikon's VR

System offers Normal mode and Active mode, original technologies to
help you cover various shooting situations. In Normal mode, slow and
wide camera movement is regarded as recomposing movement and VR
operation is controlled accordingly. In Active mode, however, even large
amounts of camera movement are compensated for to give a smooth
viewfinder image. This mode is quite useful when shooting from a moving
vehicle or some other unstable position.

A tripod is generally believed to prevent image blur, but camera shake

can occur due to the movements of the quick-return mirror or shutter
curtain, or winds. This camera shake movement has different
characteristics compared to normal camera shake caused by handheld
shooting. Nikon's VR technology makes it possible to detect and
compensate this type of camera shake, as well. (Note: Some VR lenses do
not have this function.)
Nikon has developed its original VR technologies by rigorously studying
the various aspects of camera shake.
Renewed March 2008