Posted by Steve Foss on November 25, 2007 at 1:16 PM
The older IS version lenses (like the 100-400) do not sense the presence of a tripod, and can act erratically when shot off a tripod, so IS should be disabled.
Newer IS versions do sense lack of movement from tripod use and will disable themselves.
Should you use IS or turn it off and use a tripod? Which gives better pictures??
Posted by Steve Foss on November 25, 2007 at 1:37 PM
If you're using one of the older IS version lenses, you should shut it off. If you have a sturdy enough tripod and head for your lens/camera body, IS isn't needed, and if you leave it on you can get erratic swings in the frame than can blow photo opps. If you have a newer version IS lens, don't worry about it because the lens will do it for you.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on November 25, 2007 at 1:39 PM
Yes.
What are you trying to shoot, and with what lens?
IS is a great tool, but it is not a cure-all for the solid steadiness of a good tripod. Use one if you at all can, or barring that, a monopod.
For the super telephotos, their field of vision is so narrow that even a very slight vibration unnoticed at 50mm is greatly magnified 8-12 times with using a 400 - 600 mm lens. With those lenses, having IS on will get you sharper images.
Of course, there are times when you cannot use a tripod. Sports and action photography comes to mind, and IS is are great assist there.
Look at it this way: IS should aid your technique, not be your technique.
Posted by Ron Niebrugge on November 25, 2007 at 1:43 PM
With Canon's large telephoto lenses, IS is a big help even when you are using a tripod - especially if you are using converters. Definitely leave IS on. The manual does say you should turn IS off with these lenses, but Canon has acknowledged that the manual is wrong.
With the older style IS lenses such as the 100-400 and 75-300, you need to turn IS off.
Posted by Kent Staubus on November 25, 2007 at 1:51 PM
No, the Nikon VR system doesn't like being switched on while used on a tripod.
Kent in SD
Posted by Carson Wilcox on November 25, 2007 at 3:32 PM
I've found that when using very long shutter speeds (shooting at night) it is best to turn off IS. When I don't turn it off the IS is looking for movement and when it doesn't see any it creates it's own.
Posted by Bill Chambers on November 25, 2007 at 7:43 PM
I use both if I'm just using my tripod for support only (ie, head not tightened, panning birds in flight, etc.). Otherwise, having VR on with the head tightened seems to give less than stellar results, at least in my comparisons.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on November 26, 2007 at 9:21 AM
With the in-camera stabilization system my camera has, results have been better with IS turned off.
Discussion
9 repliesNewer IS versions do sense lack of movement from tripod use and will disable themselves.
What are you trying to shoot, and with what lens?
IS is a great tool, but it is not a cure-all for the solid steadiness of a good tripod. Use one if you at all can, or barring that, a monopod.
For the super telephotos, their field of vision is so narrow that even a very slight vibration unnoticed at 50mm is greatly magnified 8-12 times with using a 400 - 600 mm lens. With those lenses, having IS on will get you sharper images.
Of course, there are times when you cannot use a tripod. Sports and action photography comes to mind, and IS is are great assist there.
Look at it this way: IS should aid your technique, not be your technique.
With the older style IS lenses such as the 100-400 and 75-300, you need to turn IS off.
Kent in SD