To use VR or to not use VR, that is the question

[mckeand13]

I've got a D40 with a 55-200VR lens.

Let's say I've got it on a tripod shooting family portraits. I'm using the remote so there is very minimal vibration. Shutter speeds are pretty fast as it would be a sunny outside shot.

Does it make sense to always leave the VR on, or does a situation like above make sense to turn it off? Can it degrade quality in any way if VR is on, but not really being used? Say I'm at 55mm in the sunny outside on a tripod. Really no need for VR.

Handheld at 200mm on a sunny day I can tell that is doing some work so I know I need it on there.

Thanks.

[Dave Smith]

I shoot a D60 with an 18-55 and a 55-200 VR lens. I wrestled with this question myself so I went to Nikon and they gave this general rule for their VR lens.

If on a tripod and locked down ... VR Off

If on a tripod but not locked down ... VR On

[Ronnie948]

It is also in your manual.

Tripod off.

Ronnie

[mckeand13]

Thanks.