They don't have "Vibration Reduction," but if you learn how to hold a
camera and lens and don't shoot at really slow shutter speeds, it's
not necessary.

Great advice. Now tell us how to hold a camera on a boat.

... Also, a tripod or even a monopod obviates the need for
vibration reduction.


Not so useful on a boat, really. A monopod is occasionally
helpful.

Wayne.B wrote:
What about for boating? It seems to me that on a moving boat,
anything you can do to minimize vibration/motion is a good thing.


Yes it is. We bought a digital camera with a built-in 12X
optical zoon, with VR that noticably improves the pictures.
On the water, it is rare to get a shot that doesn't require
at least that much zoom, which of course magnifies any
jiggle or shakiness.

Harry Krause wrote:
I have no idea how well VR might work to quell major motion.

I do.

One of the problems of shooting pics from a boat is that the
boat is moving, especially if it is under power. The engine
vibration seems to annoy the camera if you try to get a
steadier shot by resting the camera on a solid part of the
boat. One way I get around this is to use my forearm as a
rest, or set the camera on the back of one fist with elbow
braced on deck or railing.

All we do is take tourist type snapshots, but we like the
results. We often take hundreds of shots over the course of
a couple days cruise... most recently we didn't take any at
all, I have to admit, which is a shame because it was
lovely. Lots of opportunities to take wildlife shots, one of
my goals is get a set of stills of a great blue heron taking
off.

Fair Skies
Doug King