S2 Image Stabilizer efficiency

[mermoz]

Hey, guys!

Has any of you felt that something is there to help when using the S2's Image Stabilizer?
I haven't. If I don't apply the classic techniques for longer exposures - holding my breath, holding the camera against a wall or something - the pictures are almost everytime blurry.

I keep the IS on Continuous mode, and this is my second S2, so it's not a question of technical problem.

[sonnyJ]

Something I just learned that is different from my previous 35mm experience. With film - when on autofocus shutter would not click until image in focus - with the S2 you can take shot before image in focus. Pushing shutter down 1/2 way and waiting until focus box goes green is trick. Often I had applied too much pressure to shutter release button and took shot before focus established. Now a bit more patient and most focus problems resolved.

Still have problem with bird in tree - lots of branches. Guess my eyes still don't like the dogotal image in EVF as compared to real image in 35mm SLR

[led hed]

try 'shoot only' mode. which is what is suggested :)

[Woldsman]

I always have IS set on shoot only mode and can usually get a blurr free shot. For longer exposures I would use a tripod or some support of a kind if possible and turn off the IS

[Paddy O]

In my experience the IS is amazing for zoomed shots. Even without a tripod, I can almost always get a good shot even zoomed out all the way. It totally balances out my shakes and jitters at the moment of the picture.

However, with longer exposure it's not helpful as you note. Likely because while the IS is amazing it's not miraculous. Longer exposure does not only mean a shake or a jitter, it also means different and more shakes and jitters, in different directions. Which is likely too much for the IS to compensate for.

All this to say, the IS is really for the zoom feature of the S2, not for longer exposures.

[Jon, The Elder]

Yup - agree to what has been stated. IS provides help, not a solution and remember it's a P&S not DSLR.

[nicole_sv]

Hi,

Is it mean when using tripod, have to turn on IS ? Or should turn OFF?
If i turn on when using tripod, will it turn out the opposite way?

[kousik_s]

I found that in low light I can take pictures not blurry upto 1/20 shutter speed, with IS on, at wide angle. Definitely with a tripod, it doesn't matter. IS has its limits.

Generally the rule is, the shutter speed should be the inverse of focal distance. At full telephoto, it will be 1/432 or 1/400 for S2 IS. However, with IS on, the shutter speed can be gained by 2 stops. For S2, that should be 1/200. I picked these up from various forums.

[mermoz]

thank you, guys to all of you, for sharing your knowledge!