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View Full Version : Stabilizer with Monopod or Not - That is the Question

cyanaura
21st of February 2008 (Thu), 04:07
Will I get best result shootings sports or anything else for that matter with a monopod with the stabilizer left on or off?
SkipD
21st of February 2008 (Thu), 05:56
Will I get best result shootings sports or anything else for that matter with a monopod with the stabilizer left on or off?What is a stabilizer for a monopod?

Are you talking about the three little "tripod" legs that a very few monopods have? If so, they are totally useless in my opinion.
cyanaura
21st of February 2008 (Thu), 06:04
Sorry, I mean my 2.8's lens stabilizer....
SkipD
21st of February 2008 (Thu), 06:47
Sorry, I mean my 2.8's lens stabilizer....Ahhhh...... Just a couple of words make such a difference in the ability for someone to understand ;).

IS (Image Stabilization) works well for any static subject and/or when you are attempting to hold the camera steadily. When I am using my Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS, the IS switch is always turned on. That means that I use it handheld, on my monopod, and even have it on when the rig is on a tripod.

IS will do nothing for moving subjects and will do nothing for you while you are moving the camera.
cyanaura
21st of February 2008 (Thu), 06:56
Thanks, Skip...
b.d.bop
21st of February 2008 (Thu), 07:00
The literature I've read all seems to indicate that IS should be turned OFF when using a tripod, as there is some vibration inherent in the IS itself, small as it is.

I would imagine that with a monopod it could be left ON as it would still be the lesser of two evils so far as movement is concerned (i.e., producing less movement than the movement by the photographer on the monopod), but that's a guess.
jhom
21st of February 2008 (Thu), 08:56
If you are shooting sports, I recommend turning off IS. It takes about 1 second for it to kick in. In that time, you will often miss fast action. Try it yourself. Take shots of a player running towards or by you with it on and off. You will notice motion blurr or out of focus shots with it on while IS is kicking in. The newer IS models will sense vibration related to a tripod and will turn itself off if vibrations fall below a certain amount. If you are using the 70-200 while panning, Mode 2 IS will turn itself off in the direction of the pan.