Tips for 70-200 IS and other IS lenses

[Moody Blues]

Sorry if someone has always discussed this:

I recently sold my 70-200 f/2.8 L for the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS.

My Non IS version was always tack sharp and crystal clear. Upon shooting the IS version at higher speeds with the IS on, I noticed the same softness that many others complain about.

Then, I started testing this lens along with my new 300 f/2.8 L IS. I shot a 2 day surf contest with both lenses. Since the first day was trial heats, I shot the entire day with the IS on, not matter the shutter speed. The next day, I shot with the IS off 99% of the time b/c shutter speeds were typically over 1/500 and most of the time well over 1/1000. The shots from day one to day 2 were night and day. Most all of the shots from day one had some level of softness to them. All of the photos from day two were tack sharp.

Moral of the story. Only use the IS when you know you need to control camera shake.

I am convinced that the 70-200 IS version takes equally sharp photos as the non IS version. You just have to know when and when not to use the IS

[ChrisBlaze]

most people say u can leave IS on all the time.

[Moody Blues]

most people say u can leave IS on all the time.

I shot the 600 F/4 IS for some time and also noted the same observations with and without the IS. at speeds higher than say 1/500 with the IS on, the photos were soft. Turn the IS off and they were tack sharp. Now anything lower than 1/250 on the 600 and the IS was a life saver.

I just shot a high end portrait session with the 70-200's IS on and it saved my butt. I would have been out of luck without the IS. most shutter speeds were 1/60 to 1/80. I never shoot lower than 1/60.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

When people have big problems with softness from IS lenses (I'm not saying you, just in general), I have to wonder if they're following their subject with the IS on mode 1. Even just following a person walking or even jogging, if you have IS on, you're gonna ge a soft shot. IS is only for when you're holding the camera still. If you follow any type of action, it's gonna screw you up. If you're panning following something (a car, kid, dog, person, etc.) switch to mode 2. That's what it's for.

Again, I didn't mean you, Dan, just trying to clear up a couple things.

I've had the 70-200L IS for almost 2 years, and never a soft shot. I'll add that I can't remember the last time I turned the IS off. If you shoot "right", you'll almost never need to.(depending on your shooting style and subject matter)

[hef]

Hum... i will have to take a look at that. I've not bothered to test that.

[Moody Blues]

yes, I constantly change between mode 1 and 2 depending on what I am shooting.

[CyberPet]

Dumb question, but there's two modes of IS? I thought it was just on and off. Enlighten me!

[joe445]

Moody Blues- Thanks for the tip, I'll be doing some testing soon

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Petra, mode one is for shooting stationary objects, such as still life, birds (not in flight), people not walking, etc. This mode fights both horizontal and vertical camera movement.

Mode 2 is for panning. It only fights vertical movement. Following race cars, larger birds in flight, someone running, etc.

Some lenses like the 24-105, 17-55, 28-135, etc. only have mode 1. Larger, longer glass, like the 70-200 2.8L IS, f/4L IS, 100-400L, and the super tele primes, have mode 2 as well.

[ed rader]

Dumb question, but there's two modes of IS? I thought it was just on and off. Enlighten me!

depends on the lens.

e.g., 24-105L has just on and off. 70-200L (f2.8 and f4) both have two modes.

ed rader

[CyberPet]

Thanks Ronald and Ed! As I'll be buying the 70-200/2.8L IS soon I was curious. Sounds like a great idea for weddings too (walking up the ailse etc).

I've sent the 24-105 back... realized I needed f/2.8 more than anything even if I like the range of the 24-105 and it was nice to play with for a week (going to get the 17-55/2.8 IS tomorrow).

[gasrocks]

I agree with the above - I have many IS lenses and no soft shots. However, using the correct mode and good handling do help. I have had people use one of my IS lenses and get soft shots since they got lazy and thought the IS would be a magic cure, saving every shot. IS only helps. You still need good technique.

[dontblink]

One thing that I have noticed with IS lenses is that it does take a half second or so for the IS to stabilize. If I take the picture without holding the shutter button halfway for a few moments the photos do not look as good .