How Does an Anti-Vibration Camera Lens Work?
Vibration free, anti-vibration and image stabilization all refer to technology designed to reduce image blur caused by camera movement. Nikon became the first imaging manufacturer to incorporate vibration reduction technology into a compact 35mm camera when, in 1994, it introduced the Nikon Zoom 700VR QD camera. Nikon remains at the forefront of vibration reduction (VR) technology and incorporates it into 15 lenses in its current lineup.
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Cause
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When a photographer hand-holds a camera and takes images with long lenses or uses slow shutter speeds, she becomes prone to small, shaky movements that emit vibrations. These vibrations cause the image to move on the camera's sensor during exposure, resulting in blurry images. The resultant blur in the images is less noticeable at small magnifications, especially using the rear monitor of a DSLR, but once enlarged, the blur becomes quite noticeable.
Technologies
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Different manufactures use different methods to correct vibration. Some use technology build into the camera to correct vibrations, while others use technology built into the lens to perform the same job. Using in-camera technology corrects the blur but does not provide a blur-free image in the viewfinder, or account for times when photographers shoot with spot metering. Manufacturers that incorporate vibration reduction technology into the lens give photographers a clearer image when looking through the viewfinder and allow for more accurate spot metering.
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Functions
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The inside of a vibration reduction lens contains two sensors for detecting pitch and yaw, two voice control motors and the vibration reduction lens unit. When the photographer depresses the shutter release button halfway, the sensors detect the amount of movement horizontally and vertically. These data get sent to the voice control motors. Before exposure, the voice control motors use these data to stabilize the image in the viewfinder, providing a better composing environment.
The algorithm used to stabilize the viewfinder image differs from the actual algorithm used to correct the image during exposure. The pre-exposure algorithm uses weaker dynamics to prevent the feeling of motion sickness while looking through the viewfinder. When the photographer depresses the shutter completely, the sensors detect the final pitch and yaw information and send that data to the voice coil motors. The voice coil motors move the vibration reduction lens element horizontally or vertically to correct for any pitch and yaw deviations.
Benefits
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Lenses that incorporate vibration reduction technology have numerous benefits for the photographer. Photographers gain more precise autofocus with vibration reduction lenses because of the clearer viewfinder image. Checking composition details, especially under low light conditions, gets easier with VR lenses because of the crisper viewfinder image. Spot metering meters a scene according to the selected focus area. Vibration reduction allows more accurate focusing, which translates into more accurate spot metering.
Considerations
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Vibration reduction lens technology works under specific circumstances. The current technology works when the vibration or blur originates from the point of use---meaning the camera. It does not work when the movement originates from the subject or when the lens focuses on an object other than the photographer's intended subject of the photograph.
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