Posted by Holger Streu on November 13, 2014 at 10:46 AM
I have a technical question about the IS system on Canon lenses.
In the past, some of my photos showed, out-of focus conditions when
using a tripod, IS and long exposure 1/15 sec +. (28-135mm) When I turned off the IS and took a re-take, everything seemed to be just right. Is there a cut-off exposure time when not to use the IS?
With my new L Lenses, I get this problem when I use ¼+ sec and sometimes at 1/15 sec.
On my last trip to Coyote Gulch I used my 16-35 L Lens quite often at 1/20 sec with very good results.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Just a guess...IS or VR moves lens elements in response to movement of the camera/lens. It is possible that when the camera is on a tripod and IS/VR is operating, a tiny vibration is set up in the camera/lens/tripod system thereby causing the very thing you want to accomplish: eliminate vibration.
Everything I've read about IS/VR recommends turning it off when using the camera on a tripod.
Anyone else have thoughts on this?
--P
Posted by Holger Streu on November 13, 2014 at 11:19 AM
Good point, never thought of that.
Posted by Jeff Martyka on November 13, 2014 at 11:21 AM
What I've been told: IS should be off when on a tripod or shooting moving subjects.
It was explained to me that when the camera is locked down on a tripod, the IS can react to the slight vibration when taking a shot and then it reacts to that reaction and to that reaction and just gets worse and worse as it continues to compensate.
Oh and also...if you have in camera AND lens IS...never run both or they can fight each other.
Posted by John Reed on November 13, 2014 at 12:06 PM
Some lenses are AOK with stabilization on while on a tripod but most require it be turned off for reasons already stated.
L lens vs economy lens is not the deciding factor. Lens construction or more specifically I/S method is the determining factor. Only way to be sure for your lens is to do your homework and read the flyer that came with the lens or consult mfgrs website. The Canon 28-135 is one that does require it be off when on a tripod.
I have some lenses that must be off and some OK to be on. Rather than muddle my old brain, I simply always turn off when on a tripod. After all, I AM on a tripod!
Posted by Max Waugh on November 13, 2014 at 12:13 PM
I don't always turn IS off on the tripod. If I'm panning or moving the lens around, it does help reduce camera shake.
However, in the case of long exposures, I definitely turn the IS off, especially with bigger lenses. When it's on, you can see the camera and lens "drifting" a bit. This is very obvious in Live View or when shooting video.
Max
Posted by Nate Chappell on November 13, 2014 at 2:26 PM
It depends on the lens and to some extent the tripod head. Using my Canon 500F4 version 1, I leave the IS on in mode 1 if I am shooting at a low shutter speed - let's say 1/500 or less. I am able to make very sharp images consistently down around 1/60 of a second with the IS on if the bird isn't moving. I have tried it with the IS off in such a situation and I don't do well at those low shutter speeds. I do use a Wimberley head so there is a bit of play compared to a locked down ball head. I have read that with a locked down ball head the IS is much more likely to fight with the tripod then compared to a Gimbal style head but that's not from personal experience.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on November 13, 2014 at 5:25 PM
"Tripod" is imprecise. If you are using a ball head, and are locked down, then IS isn't going to accomplish much and a matter of general principle, I turn it off. If am shooting with a tripod to support the lens and camera and don't have the head locked down, then I use Canon IS-1 in all but the highest shutter speeds. If I am panning on a tripod, I use IS-2 (? - don't have the lens in front of me) which is designed for the situation. I don't own a Wemberly head, so can't speak to it. I have an LII 300f2.8 and 500ft. Don't know about earlier models.
The thing to do is experiment. I photograph old style log graph paper and then review the shots on my computer screen. it costs nothing but time.
Posted by Ed Cordes on November 13, 2014 at 9:33 PM
Older version 1 IS will seek if the camera is on a tripod and blur an image. Newer versions of IS will detect tripod mounting and still be OK. Fail safe is to turn it off when using a tripod and the syetem is locked down.
Posted by Holger Streu on November 14, 2014 at 7:12 AM
Thank you to all, who contributed to this question.
Many times I forget to turn-off IS on a tripod.
This explains now, why I had so many bad (sharpness / blur) pictures on a tripod.
Discussion
9 repliesIn the past, some of my photos showed, out-of focus conditions when
using a tripod, IS and long exposure 1/15 sec +. (28-135mm) When I turned off the IS and took a re-take, everything seemed to be just right. Is there a cut-off exposure time when not to use the IS?
With my new L Lenses, I get this problem when I use ¼+ sec and sometimes at 1/15 sec.
On my last trip to Coyote Gulch I used my 16-35 L Lens quite often at 1/20 sec with very good results.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Just a guess...IS or VR moves lens elements in response to movement of the camera/lens. It is possible that when the camera is on a tripod and IS/VR is operating, a tiny vibration is set up in the camera/lens/tripod system thereby causing the very thing you want to accomplish: eliminate vibration.
Everything I've read about IS/VR recommends turning it off when using the camera on a tripod.
Anyone else have thoughts on this?
--P
It was explained to me that when the camera is locked down on a tripod, the IS can react to the slight vibration when taking a shot and then it reacts to that reaction and to that reaction and just gets worse and worse as it continues to compensate.
Oh and also...if you have in camera AND lens IS...never run both or they can fight each other.
L lens vs economy lens is not the deciding factor. Lens construction or more specifically I/S method is the determining factor. Only way to be sure for your lens is to do your homework and read the flyer that came with the lens or consult mfgrs website. The Canon 28-135 is one that does require it be off when on a tripod.
I have some lenses that must be off and some OK to be on. Rather than muddle my old brain, I simply always turn off when on a tripod. After all, I AM on a tripod!
However, in the case of long exposures, I definitely turn the IS off, especially with bigger lenses. When it's on, you can see the camera and lens "drifting" a bit. This is very obvious in Live View or when shooting video.
Max
The thing to do is experiment. I photograph old style log graph paper and then review the shots on my computer screen. it costs nothing but time.
Many times I forget to turn-off IS on a tripod.
This explains now, why I had so many bad (sharpness / blur) pictures on a tripod.