Action Shots - How important is IS?

[redlinearcher]

Just entered the 10D club. I now have a 10d with the 28-135 USM IS lens. I am looking at getting the Sigma 75-300 APO Super Macro lens as well. For action shots shot 1/125 or faster is IS really necessary? I will be taking indoor sports pictures (basketball, arena football, hockey).

I use to use the Eos A2 and A2E and never needed it there so it just makes me wonder if it's not a marketing gimmick to up the price. Although I have a fair knowledge of photography, I will admit there is a whole new world to digital.

[T_O_M]

Shooting by hand at 300mm 1/125 you will most likely get camera shake. The old film rule for safe shutter speed was 1/ length of lens, for a 10D a lot of people say 1/length of lens x1.6 (crop factor). IS will help you as it will give you a couple stops. It all depends on the person how steady there hands are. For action with a long lens I use a monopod and this helps a lot.

[ssim]

I have both the 70-200 L IS and the 100-400 L IS and I can tell you it is no marketing gimmick. The 70-200 is the best lens in my bag, I absolutely love that lens.

Both have the dual mode of IS, one for panning and the other just to stablize motion. I did some test when I got the lens in low light conditions with and without IS on and the images with IS on were decisively sharp. I also tried some of a car race with it turned off and they just weren't as good as the ones with it on.

Go for it!

[Bytes U]

Get yourself a monopod, and if it's in your budget, an IS enhanced lens. The combination of both is amazing (although not endorsed by some).

[Longwatcher]

1/125 is in the borderline zone as far as my experience with IS is concerned.
If you need a faster shutter to capture the action IS is pretty much useless, but as you go below this point IS starts becoming more important. it is at it's best at 1/30 or 1/15 handheld or if panning to catch a moving car (or similiar object)

Just my opinion,

[lime]

Depending on how much light is available, f4-5.6 might not be fast enough to get the shutter speed needed to stop motion blur of subject.
You'll be needing at least f2.8 or faster.
Not knowing you're budget, check out the 50 1.8 ($70), 85 1.8 ($330), & 1.5L 2.0 ($900).

Here's a link to discussion in another forum:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/75224

Good luck!

[CyberDyneSystems]

IS helps,.

I can't offer much more than that,. it is not a make or break deal.

A 300mm f/2.8 will blow away any IS lens in that focal range that can't open up to that aperture.

[defordphoto]

Actually when I'm sports shooting I don't use the IS all that often. On some super slow-speed pans, but other than that I freehand it all.

[perfectpixel]

Get yourself a monopod, and if it's in your budget, an IS enhanced lens. The combination of both is amazing (although not endorsed by some).
I have read that you are *not supposed to* use IS on a tripod. Why would that not apply to monopod use?
I can tell you that when I have my 100-400 IS on a monopod (or if I am holding it especially steady by propping my arms on something) I get an Error1 with the 10D. I never have got an Error1 without IS on this lens.

[PacAce]

Get yourself a monopod, and if it's in your budget, an IS enhanced lens. The combination of both is amazing (although not endorsed by some).
I have read that you are *not supposed to* use IS on a tripod. Why would that not apply to monopod use?
I can tell you that when I have my 100-400 IS on a monopod (or if I am holding it especially steady by propping my arms on something) I get an Error1 with the 10D. I never have got an Error1 without IS on this lens.

The monopod is not as steady a "platform" as the tripod is. The camera will still move about although not as much as when you are handholding the camera.

I've had my 100-400 IS on a tripod and on a monopod with the IS switched on and I've never had the Error1 you spoke of. You might have a problem with either your lens or your camera. Maybe you should have it checked while they're still under warranty.

[defordphoto]

Actually I have read that some people get the error and some don't. Why is anyone's guess. One thing for sure though is that the instructions are very explicit when it says not to have IS on when on a tripod. I would also not use it when on a mono-pod, but I can't stand mono-pods for sports shooting anyway. I always hand-hold my 100-400L. Yes it's heavy, but I cannot work with the restrictions of a mono-pod at all.