So when do I turn IS off....or should I say on?

[Hydro]

After much (too much) analysis over whether to get the canon 70-200 f2.8 with or without IS, I finally got the IS version. My primary interest is sports, though, which caused the initial hesitation regarding IS----along with the cost.

There doesn't seem to be a real definitive answer that I can find about what conditions you turn IS off. The lit that comes with the lens does not really address it, and I was hoping some of the sports shooters could re-visit the topic again if they have any additional input or insights about this. Some say they turn it off above a certain shutter speed. The tripod issue doesn't seem to matter with this lens, apparently. I prefer to shoot handheld, although this sucker sure is heavier than the equivalent Sigma lens it replaced.

Any thought greatly appreciated.

[Tom W]

If you're using a tripod, the IS won't help you so you might as well turn it off under those circumstances. No, it won't hurt with that lens (this isn't true of all lenses), but there's no use putting additional drain on the camera's battery by having IS enabled when it isn't being used.

[Hydro]

Thanks. But to follow up, would IS help at all at say, a shutter speed of 600 or so, if I am tracking moving action while handholding and there is the possiblity of some camera shake?

[Hydro]

Phillip, I know you have been through all this, and am hoping you see this thread and can add anything to this now that you have had the lens for awhile.

[pcasciola]

With the 70-200 I don't think you will gain anything with IS at 1/600th. I usually turn it off if I am always getting shutter speeds above 1/250th with the 70-200 in Av, or above 1/400th with the 300mm.

[Hydro]

Thanks, Phillip----I knew you were out there. So just curious, though. What happens if IS is on at the higher shutter speeds----something bad? And do you shoot handheld much?

I love your sports postings, by the way, but haven't seen any lately. The gearheads seem to be dominating the sports section (not that there's anything wrong with that) but I always scroll down to look for you, Blinking, and Gmen's posts. You guys are inspiring, and always very helpful when I need to ask a question.

Thanks.

[pcasciola]

I shoot handheld 90% of the time which is why I love IS so much. I was getting really low shutter speeds at a late afternoon little league game a couple of weeks ago, and also at a night game, which is where IS really pays off for sports. Sometimes I get varying shutter speeds like on a partly cloudy day shooting in Av mode, and I do get shots at 1/1000th or faster with IS on, but I haven't seen any problems, although I've heard you could be fighting the IS in certain situations.

And thanks a lot for the positive feedback.

[V6GTO]

although I've heard you could be fighting the IS in certain situations.


How so? The IS holds the lens steady and the shutter works for the set duration. How can one possibly have a detrimental effect on the other?

Martin. (Puzzled and curious)

[pcasciola]

The IS holds the lens steady and the shutter works for the set duration. How can one possibly have a detrimental effect on the other?
I haven't myself experienced this, but I've seen others say that when using IS for non-stationary subjects, IS could wind up fighting movement that you are deliberately trying to make, and could cause blur. I could see this possibly happening with my 300/4L IS because that has the older style IS, and when I use it for non-stationary objects (not in panning mode), I can hear it clunking away every time my motion exceeds what the IS can correct for. Who knows, maybe I have experienced it but just dimissed those shots as too much shake on my part.

[CyberDyneSystems]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=71933