VR making strange noise with Nikon 70.200 2.8 and Kenko 1.4TC

Richdog · 4 Jul 2015 at 11:13

I bought a Kenko 1.4TC to play around with on my new 70-200 2.8 VRII and it is causing very strange behaviour with the VR. When the VR is off, everything is fine, it behaves like a normal F4 lens. However when VR is on, it makes a very long whirring sound even after the VR kicks in. It's like the VR "stays running".

I tried it with my 24-120 and that works fine and does not exhibit the problem, it seems specific to the 70.200 2.8.

I made a video to show the issue, though please take my word for it that the mic does not capture the full loudness of the whirring:

Thoughts, please?

Richdog · 4 Jul 2015 at 14:31

Ok I have just discovered that even with the Kenko removed the lens still exhibits the VR issue, just not as loudly (the Kenko probably amplified the sound due to the plastic and low density build quality. The VR still seems to keep running after the VR lock has been achieved or the shutter button has been released, even if I tap it you can hear the VR working away for a good couple of seconds.

I have emailed Nikon and will ask them what they think, because it really doesn't sound normal to me...

asim18 · 4 Jul 2015 at 14:41

Richdog said:
The VR still seems to keep running after the VR lock has been achieved or the shutter button has been released, even if I tap it you can hear the VR working away for a good couple of seconds.

VR doesn't lock, it operates continuously as well as for an extra second after you hit the shutter or abort your shot from half-shutter.

That's what my 55-200 does. But my 55-200 does have a more high pitched sound.

Richdog · 4 Jul 2015 at 14:44

asim18 said:
VR doesn't lock, it operates continuously as well as for an extra second after you hit the shutter or abort your shot from half-shutter.

Well it's more than a second, and it's louder than any other lens I have heard. I know it's a big lens, but still... surely it shouldn't be so noticeable.

Mark A · 5 Jul 2015 at 23:16

My VR lens does this on my D5300. Its my first VR lens, so I have nothing to compare it with, but I just assumed it was normal.

JBuk · 6 Jul 2015 at 05:32

Mine was slightly loud like that, the VR works continuously

Richdog · 6 Jul 2015 at 12:00

Mark A said:
My VR lens does this on my D5300. Its my first VR lens, so I have nothing to compare it with, but I just assumed it was normal.

Which lens?

JBuk said:
Mine was slightly loud like that, the VR works continuously

just to confirm, you had the 70-200 2.8 also and it behaved exactly the same?

Mark A · 6 Jul 2015 at 19:46

Richdog said:
Which lens?

Its a nikkor 105mm macro. Sounds exactly like yours and the noise continues a second or so after the shutter has been released.

D.P. · 6 Jul 2015 at 20:08

Sounds and looks normal to me. Go to a shop and have a play of a lens there for a comparison. You can definitely hear VR working.