Vibration Reduction Technology

With a maximum aperture of f/2, the AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED is a very fast lens that when combined with the advantages of VR technology, offers photographers remarkable shooting capabilities that may not have been previously possible. Nikon's advanced VR technology eliminates image blur caused by camera shake, particularly when shooting in low-light conditions, allowing photographers to use shutter speeds up to three stops slower than they would ordinarily use to get sharp, well exposed images. VR performance is further augmented in the AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED by a VR selection switch that enables photographers to choose between two different VR modes to best suit the subject at hand - Normal mode is ideal for most common shooting conditions, panning, and use in combination with a tripod. Active mode, as its name suggests, is better suited to conditions involving more movement, such as shooting from a moving vehicle or platform.

Image Stabilization (IS)

As already mentioned, this is the first Canon IS SLR lens, and according to Canon the IS allows you to handhold the lens at shutter speeds that are two stops slower than otherwise possible. In accordance with the classic "1/focal length" formula a camera with a 300 mm lens, for example, must have a shutter speed of at least 1/300 sec, but if you use a 75-300 IS at 300 mm Canon claims that the camera can have a shutter speed of about 1/75 sec. In my opinion it is difficult to say precisely how well the IS works in all situations, but Canon's claim seems to be fairly realistic. However, IS is no replacement for proper technique, so if you shake the camera the photograph can be blurred even if it was taken with IS, and a photograph that is taken at a slow shutter speed without IS can be fairly sharp if you hold the camera still enough. The IS of the 75-300 neutralizes both vertical and horizontal camera shake, so unlike some more expensive IS lenses it has no special IS mode that allows you to pan with the IS turned on. Also, unlike the IS of some "L" series telephoto lenses it does not work properly if the camera is mounted on a tripod, but it works fine with a monopod, and then the shutter speed can be at least 2-3 times slower than would otherwise be required without IS.