Calling all camera geeks!?

Question

I have a canon dslr. I am looking at loads of lenses as i want to upgrade my standard kit lens. some lenses i am looking at have built in image stabilization. i was just wondering, why does it give you the option on the lens wether or not you want image stabilization on or off. surely wouldnt you want it on constantly if your lens supposrts IS???

any answers appreciated..

Answer 1

Lens stabilization comes at a price ... the time it takes for the IS to work, will cause what is known as shutter lag when shooting things like sports or action shots.  You can of course use the same techniques to reduce shutter lag on P&S cameras ...

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/shutter-...

pro photographers have been shooting without the need or use of IS lenses ... they are enhancements, not necessities.

Answer 2

Image Stabilization is useful and all, but there are situations where you just don't want it on. Off hand, the most common for me is when I'm using a tripod. The Canon IS is very effective at finding and stopping shake, but when you're using it on a steady support that doesn't give any vibration or motion, like a tripod, the system will actively seek for vibration that isn't there. This will, in turn, be counter-productive for sharpness because the IS will effectively add a bit of blur as its trying to find some kind of vibration to dampen. It can also drain a bit of battery life, and if you don't need it, there's no reason to have it taking down your battery.

Answer 3

You want to turn IS off when the camera is on a tripod.

IS also eats your battery life like there's no tomorrow when left on.

Answer 4

The reason for an on and off switch as has been stated is that you should turn off IS on most IS lenses if you are shooting on a tri-pod.When IS is turned on and the shutter is depressed the IS function is looking for movement and creates internal movement of it's own during this process.

Some of Canon's newer IS lenses are able to recognize when a tri-pod is being used and will compensate for it.I have seen a test where the same image was shot three times from a tri-pod.One was auto focus on IS off another was auto focus IS on and finally one taken with manual focus and IS off.The sharpest was manual focus next was IS off and bringing up the rear was auto focus IS on.

IS is a very nice feature to have but IS is not what makes a great lens.I recently decided to upgrade to a new L series lens.I was deciding between Canon's 24-70mm f /2.8L and their 24-105mm f /4L IS lens.I chose the 24-70mm for the faster shutter speeds.To me the fast speed is more important than the IS you can't cure subject motion with IS but you can freeze the action with fast shutter speeds.

Let me tell you as someone who knows from personal experience.Always buy the best glass you can afford,even if it means saving for it a little longer it will be worth the wait.

I have 10 different lenses for my Canon's and I only ever use 3 or four of them the others sit on a shelf collecting dust.

Research lenses by doing a google search on camera lens reviews.Really do some research before you plunk your money down for any lens.If you can afford them Canon's L series lenses are professional lenses and it shows.

Sigma also makes some pro class lenses for Canon which are a good deal cheaper and I had good luck with their 70-200mm f/2.8 but A Canon L lens it ain't.

Good luck,photography is addictive and expensive.