To IS or not to IS... That is the question...

[fubarhouse]

Well yeah, My pans have been coming out great, but somewhat a little soft, I heard a while back that using mode 2 IS is great, but takes time to activate. Would it be better to not use IS in such cases as say drag racing?

All help is appreciated. Cheers!

[DC Fan]

Race action from a 70-300mm IS and a Rebel XTi.

http://www.fansview.com/racing/10112008b0286.jpg

1/60, f/5, ISO 1600, mode 1 IS.

http://www.fansview.com/racing/09282008b0349.jpg

1/40, f/20, ISO 200, mode 1 IS.

http://www.fansview.com/racing/083120080140.jpg

1/250, f/13, ISO 200, mode 1 IS.

IS mode 2 - single-axis stabilization - is supposed to work better on panning than mode 1 two-axis stabilization. But from experience, there's no practical difference between the modes, so the lens stays in mode 1. And the IS is never switched off. Recent use of a non-IS lens has reinforced the value of IS under all circumstances, panning or not.

Getting a sharp panning image is a combination of technique, smoothness and luck.

[Simon Harrison]

I shoot motorsport almost exclusively, and I currently do not own any IS lenses.

When I did, I always had the IS turned off whenever photographing motorsport. I always felt that the IS was fighting against me, and it added time to focus acquisition as the IS gyros spooled up.

In summary, I found IS superb when shooting stationary objects and a huge hinderance whenever I shot anything that moved.

Simon.

[Cadwell]

I find IS of zero benefit in shooting motorsport.

[John Thawley]

I find IS of zero benefit in shooting motorsport.

I find Cadwell's advice spot on.

[gdrMatt]

same here.. say no to IS.. lol

[matt mead]

I tested out both a 70-200 f2.8 is and non is before makeing my purchase and like what most have said, i found no benefit to useing IS. I think IS plays on peoples minds, makes ppl thing they can push the shutter down lower.

[andrewc]

I've hired lenses that have had IS and found little benefit with IS on for motorsport. Saying that if I was buying one of these lenses I would choose the IS option as it would be useful in other circumstances.

[PlayMits]

After reading this the other night I tried taking pan shots today with the IS on and off, to my surprise I think I ended up with more keepers when the IS was off.

[IncompletePete]

I'm going to go against the grain here and point out one single occasion where IS is useful - when you're shooting on an exposed circuit in gale-force winds. I've found that IS serves to balance out low shutter speed pans when everything's against you, you just have to anticipate it to make it work really.

[Jim M]

Shooting head on, IS is usually on. Panning, I turn it off or use mode 2. I think it is on in the first instance just because I'm too lazy to turn it off and it doesn't seem to hurt. As the sun goes down, it is useful.

[sastein]

If money is no object, I would get the lens with IS and you can turn it off when you're doing slow pans, but turn it on if you're in the pits or paddock grabbing some static shots.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there only a few Canon lenses that have tripod -aware IS?

[cwphoto]

I'll go against the grain. I tend to favour IS mode 2 for pans, especially the slow ones.