Table of Contents
What Is Vibration Reduction or Image Stabilization?
Image stabilization uses electronic sensors in your camera to help prevent blurring caused by shaky hands or movement during your photo shoot. The sensors, which are also found in most digital SLR cameras, work by comparing the camera’s internal image data to that stored on a memory card and adjusting the exposure settings to maintain a consistent picture throughout a photo shoot.
A new generation of high-speed, compact digital still cameras has been released that offer both Vibration Reduction (VR) and Image Stabilization (IS). The new Sony NEX-5 offers this technology in its 18-55mm zoom lens.
How Does the Vibration Reduction System Work?
To reduce vibration when using a camera, most digital cameras have a built-in vibration reduction system (VRS). This system works by using an accelerometer to measure the vibrations in the lens system. The accelerometer measures the movement of the camera, and then translates that into a signal. The signal is then amplified and sent to a motor that is used to move the lens, in the same way as a VRS in a camcorder does.
The accelerometer is usually located within the body of the camera.
The accelerometer works by measuring the rate at which the sensor is vibrating and converting this into a voltage. The voltage signal is sent to the camera’s processing circuitry, which processes the signal and sends it to a motor to vibrate the lens. In order for the lens to follow the signal, the motor must be powerful enough to overcome the inertia of the lens and any dampening in the lens system.
In the case of a camcorder, there is only one accelerometer that measures both the vertical and horizontal movement of the camcorder. In the case of a DSLR, there are two accelerometers. One measures the vertical movement of the camera, the other measures the horizontal movement. In the case of a compact camera, there is only one accelerometer. It measures the vertical movement of the camera.
Why is it important to have a vibration reduction system (VRS) in a camera?
A DSLR camera produces a lot of vibrations when it is recording or taking pictures. These vibrations can cause blurring in the photos. The vibrations can also affect the focusing of the lens. To prevent blurring and to make sure the lens is always focused properly, it is important that a camera has a VRS.
There are three main reasons why a camera with a VRS will produce better photos than a non-VRS camera:
1. When the shutter of a camera is closed, the camera has to wait until the shutter opens again before it can take another picture. In the process, the camera vibrates. A non-VRS camera will experience this vibration before the shutter opens.
2. If the vibrations in a camera are strong enough, they may cause blurring.
3. A VRS helps ensure that the lens of a camera is always in focus.
How does the VRS in a camera work?
To understand how the VRS works, we will use the camera as an example. The following steps show how the VRS system works in a DSLR camera:
1. Before the shutter is closed, the camera will send a signal to the camera’s accelerometer. The accelerometer will measure the vibration of the camera. The accelerometer will convert the vibrations into a voltage signal.
2. The camera’s processing circuitry will amplify the voltage signal.
3. The camera’s processing circuitry will send the signal to the motor that moves the lens.
4. The motor will move the lens to counteract the effects of the vibration.
5. The shutter will close, and the camera will take a picture.
A camera with a VRS will work in the same way, except that the camera’s accelerometer measures the vibrations in two directions, horizontally and vertically. A camera with a single accelerometer will only measure the vertical direction.
When a camera with a VRS is taking photos, there is no need to worry about vibrations. With a VRS, the lens will move with the vibrations, making sure that the image will be sharp.
What can you do to reduce the amount of vibrations a camera will create?
There are a few things you can do to reduce the amount of vibrations a camera will produce.
1. Keep the camera steady.
2. Avoid using a tripod when taking photos.
3. Use a zoom lens.
4. Avoid holding the camera very tightly when it is shooting.
How do I know if my camera has a VRS?
If you are using a DSLR camera, it will be labelled with a VR symbol.
If you are using a camera with a built-in VRS, it will have a VR symbol on the lens barrel, which is either a circular symbol, a star, or a rectangle.
If you are using a camera that is not a DSLR, it will not have a VR symbol. However, a VRS can be added to your camera, and these are available in the market.
How do I know if my camera has a single or dual VRS?
Most DSLR cameras have a single accelerometer.
Some camcorders have a single accelerometer, but these are rare.
Dual VRS cameras are very rare, and not all are available in the market.
How do I choose a VRS?
VRS lenses are made of different materials. Some are more suitable for high speed shooting. Some are better for low light shooting. Some are better for close shots. Some are better for general photography. Some are more expensive than others.
Some VRS lenses can be added to your current lens. These are called add-on VRS lenses. Some add-on VRS lenses are better than others. Some work only when the camera’s shutter is open. Some VRS lenses have built-in motors. Some are more expensive than others.
You can also buy a VRS that will fit into your existing lens. This is called a lens adapter. Some lens adapters work with all lenses, and some are more suitable for particular lenses. Some lens adapters cost less than others.
You can also get a lens that has a built-in VRS. These are cheaper than lens adapters, and some work with all lenses. Some work only when the camera’s shutter is open. Some are better for close ups. Some are more expensive than others.
There are different types of VRS. Some work better than others. Some are cheaper than others.
Conclusion
The vibration reduction system is a technology used by digital cameras to reduce camera shake during long exposure photography.
It works by capturing several short bursts of images at high speed and combining them into one frame.
This combination of short exposures allows the camera to capture the same image, but at a much slower shutter speed, reducing the amount of camera shake in the final image.