shaky image when VR engages

[Gregje]

Hi

This is my first post here, so please be gentle with me.

I have not expected that my first post will be about faulty (or not lens).

I have bought 18-140mm f3.5-5.6 VR zoon from from a well known web based site which name begins with e and ends with y.
The  seller has 100% rating and is photographic equipment retailer.

The lens has arrived today. It was supposed to be in an excellent condition. And cosmetically it is.
However, I am worried about the VR. Sometimes especially when turning the camera on while looking through the viewfinder you see that the image is shaking 2-3 times. This can happen (not always) when you half press the release button. Can happen also when you release the release button without taking a picture (VR stops?). I understand that when the VR is not engaged the lenses are parked and when you half press the release the VR wakes up, but I find these movements somewhat too violent. Sometimes nothing weird happens and it behaves just like my other two VR zooms. None of this happens when I turn off the VR.
The pictures are good, no issues there.

As I said none of my other 2 VR lenses does this. Using my other lenses I hear a gentle zoom of VR mechanism engaging but I do not see any movement in the viewfinder. I googled around and some people say shaky wake up  is a  normal VR operation some say it is VR malfunctioning or showing signs of  coming problems.

I would like to keep the lens as I like it otherwise. But I do not want to get in troubles in a few months. I do not think I would ever sent not so expensive lens to Nikon service either.
The seller accepts returns too.

I thought this would be a good place to ask.

[Roland Vink]

In my limited experience with VR lenses, it could be the VR system waking up, especially at the longer focal lengths, but it does seem a little strange. The more important question is are the pictures sharp? Especially at slower shutter speeds where the VR should be keeping the image steady and sharp.

[Matthew Currie]

My wife has long had the 18-140 lens, and I've used it some over the years.  It's never exhibited that behavior, and like all the other VR lenses I've used the image does not shake on startup. All the VR lenses I've used seem to make only a single adjustment (an audible click) when starting up, and rarely show movement in the viewfinder  About the only one you can sometimes see movement in is the 200-500, but seldom even in that.  I'd look pretty closely at that one and at least test it thoroughly, as it's not a rare lens, and the one I've used is sharp and well behaved.

[Gregje]

Hi,

Thanks for the answers.
The pics are sharp even at low speeds.
But it is strange.

I will test it more today.

[richardHaw]

Hi,

Thanks for the answers.
The pics are sharp even at low speeds.
But it is strange.

I will test it more today.

thats just how it is

[rosko]

If your retailer is local one, why not to show the issue there ?

Is your lens still under warranty ?

I would be worry too.

[Birna Rørslett]

VR can be turned off ... some times the supposed 'AI' of such systems work against the end user. A tripod is always the less unreliable option.

The 18-140 is quite nice and sharp with or without VR engaged.  I find myself using it all the time without VR activated.

[Gregje]

The trip to the park was not conclusive. Quite foggy but the pictures are fine.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/182788635@N03/50569483147/in/feed-2279193-1604532794-3-72157716756745132
https://www.flickr.com/photos/182788635@N03/50568600823/in/feed-2279193-1604532794-3-72157716756745132/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/182788635@N03/50569485422/in/feed-2279193-1604532794-3-72157716756745132

The shakes are random.
Sometimes the VR wakes up without me noticing anything, sometimes it shakes. After the shake the camera is ready and makes great pictures.
I need to do some head scratching.

Otherwise I like this range.
I started with 18-105 but wanted more long end esp for travelling. So I got 18-200 which I find kind of soft on D7100.
While I like to have more reach I am not so happy to sacrifice quality.
18-140 gives the quality with some acceptable (for me) loss at the long end.
Probably need to get some 70-200/300 for the situations I want long end.

[Erik Lund]

Sounds defective, I would return it.VR should kick-in very quickly and directly stabilize the frame as soon as you half press the shutter button.

[Gregje]

I tend to agree. Just tried 18-200 VR again. As you say half-press ready to shoot!

[Gregje]

Positive:   I have returned the lens to the seller and  got my money back.
Negative: The lens has immediately shown on the auction site and is already gone...

I am totally convinced that it was faulty or showing symptoms of some catastrophic failure in the (near) future.