IS on a tripod if... .

I'm going to be shooting fireworks from a boat? pretty calm lake, but still it's a boat. I was going to attempt to use bulb or longer shutter speeds, but I know the boat will be moving some. While I realize that you shouldnt' use IS when on a tripod I was wondering if it being on would help with the movement of the boat some??

thoughts?

Gaarryy wrote in post #14660231
I'm going to be shooting fireworks from a boat? pretty calm lake, but still it's a boat. I was going to attempt to use bulb or longer shutter speeds, but I know the boat will be moving some. While I realize that you shouldnt' use IS when on a tripod I was wondering if it being on would help with the movement of the boat some??

thoughts?

That's an interesting thought. If there is movement, I suspect the lens will "think" its being hand held and the IS will help rather than hurt. But if there is any movement I'm guessing the results won't be pin sharp with long shutter speeds even with mirror lockup and and a remote shutter release.

I'm assuming you mean using your 70-200, since that's the only lens you list with IS...

Most definitely leave IS on to counteract the movement of the boat, vibration from the motor, any shake caused by other people moving around in the boat, etc.

Gaarryy wrote in post #14660231
... I realize that you shouldnt' use IS when on a tripod...

Actually, you are incorrect... if that's the lens you are planning to use. There is no need to ever turn off IS on any Canon 70-200, when the lens is mounted on a tripod. All versions of 70-200 with the feature, it is not one of the lenses where that's necessary. The IS in the 70-200s self-detects if there's no movement and turns off IS itself.

amfoto1 wrote in post #14660417
I'm assuming you mean using your 70-200, since that's the only lens you list with IS...

Most definitely leave IS on to counteract the movement of the boat, vibration from the motor, any shake caused by other people moving around in the boat, etc.

Actually, you are incorrect... if that's the lens you are planning to use. There is no need to ever turn off IS on any Canon 70-200, when the lens is mounted on a tripod. All versions of 70-200 with the feature, it is not one of the lenses where that's necessary. The IS in the 70-200s self-detects if there's no movement and turns off IS itself.

I really need to update my lens, I was going to use the my sigma 17-55 or my kit lens 28?-135 ish? can't remember actually.

I might just attempt a few handheld around a 1/20th sec or so also

IS will help with vibration from the motors, or from people walking about on deck. But it will do nothing to counteract the gentle rocking of the boat.

The problem with using IS on a tripod is that the vibration caused by the IS itself can move the tripod. The IS system is not good at dealing with this self-induced feedback.

I was trying to get a shot on a wooden deck using the 300L f4 IS and a 2x teleconverter and I could not seem to get rid of camera wobble. I was using a remote and had the shutter locked up etc etc. Eventually realised I had left the IS on and bingo - steady exposures.

This was on a deck that would wobble noticeably if you walked on it so not the firmest of platforms for a tripod, but might be similar to a boat deck so I thought it was worth mentioning.

hollis_f wrote in post #14664024
IS will help with vibration from the motors, or from people walking about on deck. But it will do nothing to counteract the gentle rocking of the boat.

Agreed. The frequency of the oscillations is too low for IS. Sorry, I come from a career in Electrical Engineering!

Yeah, the IS is designed to only counteract very small rapid movements from vibration or just our bodies, the movement of the boat won't be corrected by IS at all, the boat moves inches on the water and there is no way for the optical elements to correct that much. Good luck!

Thanks for all the great replies !!!

A tripod on a boat might be quite a disadvantage. Let's just say (to simplify the math) that the base of the tripod legs forms a 30 inch diameter circle and the lens is 60 inches from the tripod mounting surface. If 1/8 inch motion occurs at the tripod feet, that could translate to 1/4 inch motion at the lens. Again, I've simplified the math but this scenario is entirely possible and even likely.

Handheld, one thing will help especially if the boat is rolling (side to side motion) and that is to position yourself as near the center (side to side) of the boat. If the boat is pitching (a front to bak motion) then you'll have to judge the point from stem to stern (front to back) that has the least motion. It may or may not be near the center of the ship, as measured from front to back.

Steadycam. . (Steadyboat, too!).

Early versions of the IS system should be turned off if the lens is stationary (like on a tripod) - all the more recent IS versions detect a stationary condition and deactive it themselves - so for those lenses, you never actually need to turn it off. I can't find the link to list of lenses in the older category, perhaps someone else can.

hollis_f wrote in post #14664024
IS will help with vibration from the motors, or from people walking about on deck. But it will do nothing to counteract the gentle rocking of the boat.

^^^^^^^
Says all that needs to be said.


Enjoy the fireworks - leave the tripod at home and avoid the frustration. You may be able to get some photos of friends on the boat (using flash) and get lucky with the fireworks in the background, but shooting with long exposures would be nothing but an excessive in futility.

BTW, if you are on a "calm lake" chances are that the boat would be on the smaller side - standing to man a camera on a tripod would make you and your camera raise the center of gravity and make any rocking more pronounced. (ever try standing up in a canoe?).