Lens image stabilizer causes hum and jitter

[Ken Fong]

:?: Maybe I didn't notice this before, but can someone explain if some jitter and hum is normal when using the image stabilizer? I can understand the existence of hum because of mechanical parts, but sometimes the hum, which seems to occur arbitrarily and of course when there is camera movement, causes image jitter through the lens. The jitter seems to cause the image to shake left and right, and more noticeably when at maximum zoom. So far, I haven't had any bad pictures, but I'm worried about when it will try to make the exposure while the hum and image jitter is occurring. Is this jitter exactly what the image stabilization is supposed to do or do I need my camera or lenses examined?

(Hum and jitter cease when IS is turned off.)

I am using a Canon 10D with a Canon 28-135 w/IS and a Canon 100-400L w/IS

Thanks in advance!

[samdring]

Have 10D and 28-135 and if jitter as you describe it actually shows visually when taking shots, then NO, not experienced it.

[defordphoto]

The IS will make some noise. It should not be loud or all that discernable. Your view will "jitter" some as you move and the camera attempts to correct it. Also make sure you're using the proper IS on the 100-400.

[mpkirby]

:?: Maybe I didn't notice this before, but can someone explain if some jitter and hum is normal when using the image stabilizer? I can understand the existence of hum because of mechanical parts, but sometimes the hum, which seems to occur arbitrarily and of course when there is camera movement, causes image jitter through the lens. The jitter seems to cause the image to shake left and right, and more noticeably when at maximum zoom. So far, I haven't had any bad pictures, but I'm worried about when it will try to make the exposure while the hum and image jitter is occurring. Is this jitter exactly what the image stabilization is supposed to do or do I need my camera or lenses examined?

(Hum and jitter cease when IS is turned off.)

I am using a Canon 10D with a Canon 28-135 w/IS and a Canon 100-400L w/IS

Thanks in advance!

I have the 28-135mm w/ IS, and the manual indicates that taking pictures using a tripod with IS turned on will result in movement & jitter, making bad pictures. They say you should use IS only when you are hand-holding.

I believe it also says that you should push 1/2 way with the shutter, and then hold to allow IS to take affect.

Mike

[Jim_T]

The IS will make some noise. It should not be loud or all that discernable. Your view will "jitter" some as you move and the camera attempts to correct it. Also make sure you're using the proper IS on the 100-400.

Yes..

IS doesn't behave like the steady-cams you see in the movies. You can't use it on a galloping horse :-)

IS is only good for a couple of stops. It only dampens very slight movement.. If there is too much movement, the image will jerk a bit as the IS gets momentarily lost and then re-established. It's more noticeable when using long focal lengths. When this happens you can hear a slight click..

As far as the sound goes.. I'd call it a hiss more than a hum.

[Phil Hall]

The only jitter I get is when driving on dirt roads and the lense is sitting on the seat. Otherwise there is no noise.

[Belmondo]

I have a couple lenses with IS --75-300, 100-400, and 70-200, and they all emit an audible 'click' when the shutter release button is depressed halfway. Also, the image in the viewfiender will twitch a little. I've never been aware of a hum.

[Ken Fong]

Thanks everyone for the responses. Yes, I was incorrect in describing it as a hum...it is more like a hiss or very fast clicking noise. I think I will no longer leave IS on by default.

Happy New Year!

[cspark211]

Ken, right out of the box, I noticed that there's a slight motor whirling sound coming from my Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens. I figured out that it's from the IMAGE STABILIZER function turned on because the lens is pretty much silent when the IS is turned off. It's not loud. I can only detect it when I hold it up to my ear. It makes the noise when the shutter is depressed, and the noise continues for about a second or so after the shutter is released. And I'm not talking about the clicking sound when the lens focuses. Ken, is that the same noise you're talking about? Is this just the sound of IS working? Or am I being too paranoid? :)

[Mark_Cohran]

Thanks everyone for the responses. Yes, I was incorrect in describing it as a hum...it is more like a hiss or very fast clicking noise. I think I will no longer leave IS on by default.

Happy New Year!

It's doing what it's designed to do. There no reason not to leave IS on if you need it.

Mark

[bwolford]

I've got about 12,000 actuations over 2 years on my Digital Rebel and still going strong. Purely based on the number of images I've saved to hard disk. Probably a small percentage more discarded.

[emmveg]

I have the 500D with the 55-250mm IS lens and it also makes the strange noise and the clicking sound when IS is turned on ant the shutter is pressed half way. The image in the viewfinder will also shake a little when the picture is taken. I suppose this is normal, isn't it?

[slr_noob]

24-105 f/4L IS makes a "chup" noise whenever the IS is on or off. Rented a 300 f/4L IS once and it made a rather loud clunk when IS turns on.

[hpulley]

Yes, initially IS makes it worse as it "spins up" so if you are going to be taking shots quickly then it may be best to turn it off if you can use a high enough shutter speed.

[philwillmedia]

You guys do realise you have revived a 3+ year old thread don't you?

[hpulley]

You guys do realise you have revived a 3+ year old thread don't you?

6.5 years but who's counting? :lol:

[philwillmedia]

6.5 years but who's counting? :lol:
haha...that's funny.
I'd only looked at the date 0n the 2007 post - not when the thread was started...haha

[hpulley]

Threads resurrected twice... this should go into the Lounge or something...