Do image stabilisation (VR or IS) systems offer any advantages?
In theory, VR and IS systems help to tip the balance in your favour by eliminating handshake, allowing you to use slower shutter speeds successfully. I can’t comment on the IS systems built into some camera bodies because I haven’t tried them, but the VR system built into Nikon’s 105mm AFS VR Macro lens isn’t as effective at close range as Nikon’s marketing blurb claims. Still, a gain of at least one stop at typical shooting distances can be expected and this will often be the difference between success and failure. In my opinion, for hand held insect photography, there’s currently no better lens available – indeed, it could have been made for the purpose. However, it mustn’t be forgotten that VR/IS systems do nothing to prevent subject movement and, as shutter speeds diminish, so the chance of movement increases. Below 1/200 second, you’ll stand little chance of freezing a feeding butterfly, unless you rely entirely on flash for the exposure. But there are many occasions when the subj
