How does the Image Stabilizer Work?

[m3elmo]

technically speaking, how does IS work? I have the canon 28-135mm IS lens and I can hear it working when i press the focus lock or exposure lock...but i'm curious as to how it actually functions. Does it hold a picture in memory or the like?

Reason I ask is understanding how it works can help me choose when or when not to use it.

Thanks

[Andy_T]

In non-technical terms - a little lens in the middle is moved by a spinning gyroscope thingy to counteract your movement. You can surely see some nice schematics at the canon site.

Best regards,
Andy

[cmM]

a motion sensor talks to a microprocessor in the lens, the microprocessor talks to a servomotor, a servomotor guides the gyroscopic stabilizers to counteract the movement :-P;)

[gasrocks]

Maybe I am thinking of a differnt/older design - the gyros and processor move some glass wedges around thus shifting the image based on your movement. Yes/no?

[cmM]

Maybe I am thinking of a differnt/older design - the gyros and processor move some glass wedges around thus shifting the image based on your movement. Yes/no?
Yes
By moving the stabilized element the image is projected in the same spot despite the movement.

[Jon]

Since a lens is just a curving wedge, calling them"wedges" will do just fine. There's actually a bit of "correction" in there to accomodate the different thicknesses and slightly altered light paths.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Image Stabilization And You (http://www.cps.canon-europe.com/articles/article.jsp?article.articleId=100020)

A Canon CPS article.

[Skip Souza]

You guys are waaay over complicating this.

Image Stabilization is accomplished by F.M. F**king Magic :p :lol: :p :lol: :p

[raylks]

I looked up Canon description on IS technology. It said that in IS lens there is gyros (don't know what exactly it is but a kind of unit) and a processor to detect and learn the pattern of camera movement so that the processor will tell the gyros to adjust the compensating lens element to move in order to correct the camera shake movement.

But I think it is ridiculous miracle and after reading the article, I still cannot imagine how it works actually. (^^)

[Jon]

A "gyro" is a gyroscope - essentially a spinning top. If you try to push a spinning top, it'll resist and move in a different direction (precesses). Canon uses this reaction to have it shift a lens, slightly altering the light path to move the image around on the sensor. This is much like the autopilots used in aircraft. If the gyroscope's shifted one way, it precesses, moving the controls to correct the motion. More here (http://www.accs.net/users/cefpearson/gyro.htm).

[Sicily1918]

You guys are waaay over complicating this.

Image Stabilization is accomplished by F.M. F**king Magic :p :lol: :p :lol: :pTechnically, it's P.F.M -- Pure F**king Magic :mrgreen:

[Longwatcher]

I kind of wish it were magic for me, but over the years I have had to listen to engineers and PHDs presenting there latest toys (read Advanced Sensors) to the USAF and after hearing enough explanations on gravimetrics, image stabilization, vibration suppression, spectral response curves, and other multi-syllabic words you tend to actually start understanding some of this stuff. Canon image stabilization in the lens is a simple card trick compared to some of the stuff I have seen.