Posted by Jim Bullard on October 2, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Yesterday I went to the Adirondacks to do some photography. This morning after downloading the photos to the computer I noticed a blurred photo. I was puzzled because I had shot it on a tripod. I examined it to figure out why (camera shake, poor focus, etc.) and discovered that the moving water is sharp while everything stationary is blurred in the same direction (detail above). The IS feature was compensating for the movement of the water. It mistook it for camera movement. I guess I need to turn that off when moving water is a major part of the image. I'd never noticed that before and never occurred to me that it would do that. Mental Note: Moving water = turn off IS.
Aside from that it was a good day. Met a couple at the bridge over Wilmington Gorge who were shooting with a 5D MK II and I was jealous. Also met a woman from Australia who was very excited over the fall color. I don't envy her the 14 hour flight home.
Yes, Hank has it right. Turn off IS when using a tripod.
Posted by David Bostedo on October 2, 2009 at 6:49 PM
The IS feature was compensating for the movement of the water.
Actually, that's not possible as the contents of the image have nothing to do with the operation of IS (or VR or whatever particular implementation your camera has). It only reacts to movement of the camera itself. Having the camera use the image itself to adjust would always cause issues when shooting anything moving - not just water. Instead, there are little gyroscopic sensors in the camera body that just detect motion of the camera itself.
As far as why you see what you do in the images, I can't really tell. But if the IS was moving that much to compensate for the water motion, it probably still wouldn't keep water in focus, unless all the water moved in the same direction very quickly while the shutter was open. I think what you may be seeing is the moving water looking sharper because it's moving - like maybe with a longer exposure?
Anyway, the usual tip is to turn IS off on tripods. The main reason for this is because some IS systems actually get confused when they are the only thing that causes vibration. If that's the case, the IS attempts to correct for its own vibration, which just increases it. Some systems have newer checks to let the IS ignore this situation, but except maybe for super-telephotos, it's best just to disable it.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on October 2, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Turning of IS is just part of my drill when I mount to a tripod. The E-3 manual specifically directs it, in fact.
Is it not true that Nikon's latest IS, have a setting for using IS (VR) on a tripod vs a setting for IS (VR) for handholding? I could be confused here. I do not own any newer version VR Nikon lenses - only the polder ones. The first Nikon VR lenses told you to turn it off for tripods. The poster did not tell us which camera or lens he was using...thus, I offer the Nikon discussion. Many other discussion groups mention that only a percentage of VR (IS) images will actually be sharp.
Troup
Posted by Colin Smale on October 3, 2009 at 4:03 AM
I use a VR 500mm f4 + a 1.4TC on a tripod at 'normal' and not 'tripod' and I have wondered if it's possible this might damage the VR system ?
Colin, can't answer your question with authority. I don't see how it would damage it. My belief is that the tripod setting tries to compensate more for motion due to wind. This kind of motion is a little different from hand-holding motion.
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Posted by Keith Bauer on October 3, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Agree with the comments that the IS has nothing to do with the contents of the image. It only senses camera movement. You didn't say what system you are shooting and what lens you used. I can't speak to the Nikon VR system, but with Canon IS lenses, some are fine with IS turned on using a tripod, and some are not. It depends on the lens.
Posted by Andy Richards on October 4, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Troup: SOME of the newer Nikon VR lenses have "tripod detection mode."
Discussion
9 repliesAside from that it was a good day. Met a couple at the bridge over Wilmington Gorge who were shooting with a 5D MK II and I was jealous. Also met a woman from Australia who was very excited over the fall color. I don't envy her the 14 hour flight home.
But I'll suggest a modification of your Mental Note: Tripod = turn off IS.
Actually, that's not possible as the contents of the image have nothing to do with the operation of IS (or VR or whatever particular implementation your camera has). It only reacts to movement of the camera itself. Having the camera use the image itself to adjust would always cause issues when shooting anything moving - not just water. Instead, there are little gyroscopic sensors in the camera body that just detect motion of the camera itself.
As far as why you see what you do in the images, I can't really tell. But if the IS was moving that much to compensate for the water motion, it probably still wouldn't keep water in focus, unless all the water moved in the same direction very quickly while the shutter was open. I think what you may be seeing is the moving water looking sharper because it's moving - like maybe with a longer exposure?
Anyway, the usual tip is to turn IS off on tripods. The main reason for this is because some IS systems actually get confused when they are the only thing that causes vibration. If that's the case, the IS attempts to correct for its own vibration, which just increases it. Some systems have newer checks to let the IS ignore this situation, but except maybe for super-telephotos, it's best just to disable it.
Troup
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