IS Check

[PureOptics]

I was wondering, with people purchasing used lenses and also from ebay, is there a way to check if the IS is working or operating at all for that matter? Thanks in advance for the response.:lol:

[snoopstah]

Put your ear to the lens, then push the shutter release half-way (with IS on) and you'll hear it start to whirr. On the bigger lenses this isn't necessary - the 70-200mm makes an almighty clunk when it engages, and gurgles to itself quite audibly!

You can also try moving the camera side to side very slightly, and while you're doing that, again push the shutter release half-way. You should see the image in the viewfinder stop moving so much (although it will still move a bit).

You could also try taking 5 shots at unrealistic shutter speeds (if it's a 28-135mm, for example, try doing 5 hand-held shots at 135mm and 1/25th shutter speed). Then repeat with 5 hand-held shots with IS enabled. Both times try and keep the camera steady. The IS shots should be noticeably sharper than the non-IS shots.

[SkipD]

It does take a couple of seconds for the IS to kick in, so don't expect IS to work every time by just jamming the shutter button all the way.

[Ephemeral]

I was playing with my 70-200 IS and found that if you hand hold the lens and focus on something in the distance at full focal length, you might see some shaking, esp if you have a heavy lens :D. Then do the same with IS on. The image stops shaking and starts to float instead.

[Dante King]

I was playing with my 70-200 IS and found that if you hand hold the lens and focus on something in the distance at full focal length, you might see some shaking, esp if you have a heavy lens :D. Then do the same with IS on. The image stops shaking and starts to float instead.

DING DING DING... just look for the results in the view finder. Plain and simple.