IS on or off with monopod?

[SWPhotoImaging]

When using a monopod to steady a shot with my 10D and 100-400L-IS, should IS be turned on, or off? If panning, I assume the mode 2 setting is appropriate, but do you suppose it's better on or off when holding as steady as possible atop the stick?

[defordphoto]

Off. And yes, mode 2 is for panning.

[PacAce]

Jim, I will have to disagree with you there. THe monopod by itlsef is not stable, unlike a tripod, so IS would come in handy to stabilize any shakes. However, it's a different story if the monopod is solidly resting against a stable object, such as a wall or a tree. In that case, then I would turn off the IS.

[CyberDyneSystems]

On... it helps.

Canon has put IS on 600mm f/4 and 400mm f/2.8

These 18 pound monsters are not meant to be hand held.. so the IS is there for use on a 'pod be it Mono or Tri.. :)

I get the feeling though that it differes from lens to lens as to when it should be used on a tripod,. or how you are using the tripod,. if your locked down and using a cable remote with a long-ish shutter then the IS may cause problems... but if your on a tripod with a gimble,. or even panning with a loose head.. then the IS can be a big help.

Essentially, I think the only time you HAVE TO turn IS off is when you are shooting from a locked down tripod with a cable release,. unless your head is so tough your hand on the shutter won't effect camera shake.. (is there such a head?)

[defordphoto]

Jim, I will have to disagree with you there. THe monopod by itlsef is not stable, unlike a tripod, so IS would come in handy to stabilize any shakes. However, it's a different story if the monopod is solidly resting against a stable object, such as a wall or a tree. In that case, then I would turn off the IS.

That's fine, but the 100-400 is a first generation IS and people have been reporting errors when even using IS and a steady hand. I still recommend turning it off when using a monopod.

Sdwike: If you're not getting errors then leave it on if you need it. If you get errors then shut it off. Second generation IS will bascially turn itself off if it finds itself in a situation where it gets confused.

What happens is when the lens is too steady and had nothing to correct for, it gets confused and the IS can kinda go a bit whacky. Canon claims it can do "damage" to the IS mechanism but I have never seen any reports of it.

[PacAce]

That's fine, but the 100-400 is a first generation IS and people have been reporting errors when even using IS and a steady hand. I still recommend turning it off when using a monopod.


I've used my 100-400L on a tripod and on a monopod and the IS always on except on a few occasions when I'll turn it off on the tripod when using a remote release. And I've never had any errors with my lens. The reason I leave my IS on even when using a tripod is because I'm always adjusting the camera on the tripod before taking a shot. In other words, the lens never has a chance to sit still. (That's a different story, however, when using a remote release).

At any rate, for those people experiencing error with their 100-400, all I can suggest is to send it back to Canon for fixing because there's something definitely wrong with their lens (or maybe it's their camera) if they're getting any kind of errors with it.

[York_Tyke]

Hi,

When talking about getting errors, what sort of errors are been referred to?

Tyke.

[PacAce]

Hi,

When talking about getting errors, what sort of errors are been referred to?

Tyke.
I'm not exactly sure what the error number is but you'll know it when you get the error. It shows up at the bottom of your in your viewfinder and I'm not sure but maybe on your LCD display at the top of the camera. A few people have reported they are getting an error when they're using the 100-400L lens and the IS is on.

[York_Tyke]

OK, I've just bought the 100-400, didn't realise the 10D could put out error messages for lens problems.

Does that apply for all Canon lenses or just those with IS?

[KennyG]

Hi,

When talking about getting errors, what sort of errors are been referred to?

Tyke.
I'm not exactly sure what the error number is but you'll know it when you get the error. It shows up at the bottom of your in your viewfinder and I'm not sure but maybe on your LCD display at the top of the camera. A few people have reported they are getting an error when they're using the 100-400L lens and the IS is on.

The IS on the 100-400L is not meant to be used when the lens is mounted on a monopod or tripod. The version of IS on this lens can cause the lens to jump when on a support. It is not designed to cater for the tiny amounts of movement caused by pressing the shutter. IS mode 1 should only be used when shooting static subjects and mode 2 when panning, both hand-held.

The only error reported by a very few users that I am aware of is when the lens is pointed directly into the sun. It comes up with an Error 01 on the camera which indicates a problem with the lens contacts. I have never seen this error with my 100-400L and the sun bit is a 'guess' at what is behind the problem, no one knows for sure. It is very rare and re-attaching the lens cures it, often never to be seen again. It certainly is not an issue to worry about.

There are very few lenses where IS can be used when on a support, the latest 70-200 2.8L IS and the big primes such as the 300 2.8L IS are designed for to do this, for other lenses it should be turned off.

You will only see two errors that refer to a lens problem. The 01 error mentioned above and 99 which is a general error, where the lens might be the problem (some early Sigma lenses can cause this). IS has nothing to do with it.

[AJSJones]

Chuck Westfall, of Canon USA, has addressed this several times, the latest summary to be found in this thread...

http://www.robgalbraith.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=220773&page=1&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[Jon Borcik]

I've gotten mixed results with both my 100-400L and 70-200f2.8L lenses with IS turned on and off for sports action shots. When IS is "on" using a mono pod (mode 2) I seems to get blurred shots more with the 100-400 than the 70-200. The 70-200f2.8L seems to handle using the monopod better than the 100-400 with IS on using the monopod. I do occationally hear the gyro clunking in both lenses from time to time though... which really makes me feel uneasy. I suppose that's okay though since the 70-200 was just checked out by Canon when I sent it in with the 10D for calibration.

I always make a point to turn IS "off" when I'm through with the shooting session. I hear that removing the lens with IS "on" can possibly damage the gyro.

[Roger_Cavanagh]

This article (http://www.rogercavanagh.com/helpinfo/34_is.htm) includes info on IS from EOS Magazine and posts by Chuck.

Assuming that equipment is correctly functioning, problems with IS are likely to be user-error: (1) IS does not freeze motion of the subject, and (2) the IS mechanism must be fully operational before taking the shot. This takes about 1 sec with most IS lenses and 0.5 sec with the 70-200 LIS.

I don't have problems using my 70-200 LIS with a monopod. I don't recall any issues with the 100-400, but I don't have that lens any more.

Regards,

[defordphoto]

When using a monopod to steady a shot with my 10D and 100-400L-IS, should IS be turned on, or off? If panning, I assume the mode 2 setting is appropriate, but do you suppose it's better on or off when holding as steady as possible atop the stick?

So, the conclusion is, based on Chuck Westfall's report—that does not address monopods—leaving it on is fine when using a monopod. And yes, mode 2 is for panning.

Leaving the IS on when using the lens on a tripod will NOT damage the IS. But, it will cause erratic behavior. However, you must be sure the IS is off (not spinning) when removing the lens from the camera as the manual does specifically state that it could cause damage.