Leave the IS on

Paul Li · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

I've heard mixed statements about whether it's okay to leave the IS on while using a tripod or not. I did a test to see for myself using the 18-55 IS kit lens.

IS on

IS off

The kit lens seems to be OK to leave the IS on while using a tripod

carlXSI · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

A better test would probably be 55-250 IS (or any other telephoto lens with IS) and 100% crop.

mikeassk · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

the 100-400 IS is the only lens I believe needs to switched off while on a tripod.

NPuter · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

I hate to be a pixel-peeper here, but as far as I can see from those small thumbnails, there seems to be a (slight) difference between the two - I'm favoring the IS off one... whatever though, the difference is completely negligible...

Paul Li · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

Todd Lambert · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeassk

the 100-400 IS is the only lens I believe needs to switched off while on a tripod.

Nevermind, did a bit of research which I've listed below:

CYO · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

No difference to me at all ...

Lisa · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NPuter

I hate to be a pixel-peeper here, but as far as I can see from those small thumbnails, there seems to be a (slight) difference between the two - I'm favoring the IS off one... whatever though, the difference is completely negligible...

Yep.

Todd Lambert · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

Ok, just did a quick Google, here is the list :

The following EF Image Stabilizer lenses support "Tripod IS":

EF28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM

EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM

EF400mm f/2.8L IS USM

EF400mm f/4 DO IS USM

EF500mm f/4L IS USM

EF600mm f/4L IS USM

The following EF Image Stabilizer lenses do not support "Tripod IS":

EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

EF75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

EF300mm f/4L IS USM

From Chuck Westfall Director/Media & Customer Relationship Camera Division/Canon U.S.A., Inc.

kidslash · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

Thanks for digging up that list Todd. Very helpful!

phreeky · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

Turn it off to save battery.

I turn IS off on my 70-300 when the shutter speed is high enough, I reckon the images look a bit sharper with it turned off in those situations. Could just be me going crazy though.

edit: the above list doesn't mention the 70-300 (non-DO), but going from the generation of IS it uses I assume it should be fine too

tkbslc · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

Your shutter speed is only 1/3 a second. Try it for a 10 second exposure and you will see the difference. It is not going to be a shaky mess like it was handheld, just not as sharp as it could be.

johnj2803 · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

a better test would be night shots with lights. My personal experience is that the lights in the night shots were a bit blurred with IS ON with a tripod.

bohdank · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

The 70-200 f4 IS definately needs to have the IS off. I did some tests with long exposures 5-10 seconds and many, not all, the IS shots had a "jump" in the image.

johnj2803 · 13th of October 2009 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bohdank

The 70-200 f4 IS definately needs to have the IS off. I did some tests with long exposures 5-10 seconds and many, not all, the IS shots had a "jump" in the image.

+1 on this... long exposures will really be messed up with IS on

That coming from the kit lens

13th of October 2009 (Tue)	#1
Paul Li Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,144 IMAGE EDITING OK	Leave the IS on I've heard mixed statements about whether it's okay to leave the IS on while using a tripod or not. I did a test to see for myself using the 18-55 IS kit lens. IS on IS off The kit lens seems to be OK to leave the IS on while using a tripod __________________ Flickr XS,AE-1,50 f1.8,430EX II+V4's,18-55IS,FD 50mm Leave the IS on

13th of October 2009 (Tue)	#2
carlXSI Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 304	Re: Leave the IS on A better test would probably be 55-250 IS (or any other telephoto lens with IS) and 100% crop. __________________ 5DII \| 17-40L \| 24-105L \| 70-200L \| 50mm 1.4 \| 430ex II \| flickr

13th of October 2009 (Tue)	#3
mikeassk Goldmember Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego/ San Fran/ Berkeley Posts: 2,292 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Leave the IS on the 100-400 IS is the only lens I believe needs to switched off while on a tripod. __________________ Stuff

13th of October 2009 (Tue)	#4
NPuter Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 475	Re: Leave the IS on I hate to be a pixel-peeper here, but as far as I can see from those small thumbnails, there seems to be a (slight) difference between the two - I'm favoring the IS off one... whatever though, the difference is completely negligible... __________________ \|--NPuter-- \| flickr 7D - gripped \| 24-105 f4L IS \| 70-200 f2.8L IS II \| Sigma 30 f1.4 \| Sigma 50 f1.4 PowerShot SD750 Feedback

13th of October 2009 (Tue)	#5
Paul Li Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,144 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Leave the IS on 100% __________________ Flickr XS,AE-1,50 f1.8,430EX II+V4's,18-55IS,FD 50mm Leave the IS on

13th of October 2009 (Tue)	#7
CYO Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 43	Re: Leave the IS on No difference to me at all ...

13th of October 2009 (Tue)	#9
Todd Lambert I don't like titles Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dallas Metroplex Posts: 11,660	Re: Leave the IS on Ok, just did a quick Google, here is the list : The following EF Image Stabilizer lenses support "Tripod IS": EF28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM EF400mm f/2.8L IS USM EF400mm f/4 DO IS USM EF500mm f/4L IS USM EF600mm f/4L IS USM The following EF Image Stabilizer lenses do not support "Tripod IS": EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM EF75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM EF300mm f/4L IS USM From Chuck Westfall Director/Media & Customer Relationship Camera Division/Canon U.S.A., Inc. __________________ » Twilightscapes.com - Unique night photography -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5D3 - 5D2 - 16-35L II \| 17 TS-E \| 24-105L \| 24L II \| 35L \| 85L II \| 135L

13th of October 2009 (Tue)	#10
kidslash Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 168	Re: Leave the IS on Thanks for digging up that list Todd. Very helpful!

13th of October 2009 (Tue)	#11
phreeky Goldmember Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 3,368	Re: Leave the IS on Turn it off to save battery. I turn IS off on my 70-300 when the shutter speed is high enough, I reckon the images look a bit sharper with it turned off in those situations. Could just be me going crazy though. edit: the above list doesn't mention the 70-300 (non-DO), but going from the generation of IS it uses I assume it should be fine too

13th of October 2009 (Tue)	#12
tkbslc Cream of the Crop Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Utah, USA Posts: 22,462 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Leave the IS on Your shutter speed is only 1/3 a second. Try it for a 10 second exposure and you will see the difference. It is not going to be a shaky mess like it was handheld, just not as sharp as it could be. __________________ Taylor Galleries: Flickr Photoshop.com 60D - ELPH 100HS - 15-85 - 30 1.4 - 50-135 2.8 - 55-250 IS

13th of October 2009 (Tue)	#13
johnj2803 Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 798	Re: Leave the IS on a better test would be night shots with lights. My personal experience is that the lights in the night shots were a bit blurred with IS ON with a tripod. __________________ My flickr Rebel XS / 1000D users, lets join forces!

13th of October 2009 (Tue)	#14
bohdank Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 14,024 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Leave the IS on The 70-200 f4 IS definately needs to have the IS off. I did some tests with long exposures 5-10 seconds and many, not all, the IS shots had a "jump" in the image. __________________ Bohdan - I may be, and probably am, completely wrong. Gear List Montreal Concert, Event and Portrait Photographer Flickr

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Leave me alone...	Routinho	People	3	21st of July 2008 (Mon) 13:35
LEAVE ME	Ken Robertson	People	7	1st of April 2008 (Tue) 18:42
Do Not Leave Us Son	B-Brother	Wildlife	5	2nd of May 2007 (Wed) 13:25
Leave	mnfinnkidd	Nature & Landscapes	2	16th of August 2005 (Tue) 13:51