Image stablization + Noise Ninja = Bye Bye Tripod ?

Has anybody been able to ditch the tripod because you now shoot with a fast lens with Image Stablization and you fix the noise in post (Noiseware, Noise Ninja, etc)?

I know a tripod is better, but does anybody get "almost as good" results by combining IS with Noise Ninja, et al. Before Upgrading to IS lenses, I want to know how successful others have been at this. The whole goal is to rely less on the tripod but still get great results. If you can share high ISO examples of what you were able to pull off without a tripod, much obliged.

What kind of photography and what kind of shutter speeds?

When shooting slow it is impossible to get good result without a sturdy tripod. IS helps, but it is limited to 2 or 3 stops. Once you get shake blur, there is nothing you can do about it in post processing. I'm not aware of software that can fix that.

My biggest hope is to be able to hand hold my camera at locations that forbid tripods like museums and building interiors. I would need to shoot wide open with high shutter speeds and high ISO to get sharp results. Im hoping that image stablization plus Noise software will enable me to ditch the tripod. If not, Then I'll keep the lenses I have and learn to suffer with a tripod, for the sake of sharpness.

My curiosity is peeked for the Canon 24mm and 35mm IS lenses in particular.

What about monopods? If they are not restricted, you can have a helping hand there.
Are flashes also restricted?

I agree. Crank up the ISO and fix noise in post. If you are not going to make large prints I don't think it will be so noticable.

The image stabilization of 35mm lens is claimed to be up to 4 stops. If that is correct it would allow you speeds up to 0.5", but I'm a bit skeptical about that. 0.5" + high ISO should be more than enough in moderate lightning conditions.

Here in Ottawa, flash and tripod's are not allowed in museums. So handheld and high ISO is the norm.

ivanatora wrote in post #15781751
When shooting slow it is impossible to get good result without a sturdy tripod. IS helps, but it is limited to 2 or 3 stops. Once you get shake blur, there is nothing you can do about it in post processing. I'm not aware of software that can fix that.

Not out yet but it looks as if the next version of Photoshop will be able to remove image blur due to camera shake.
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=XLLJBfRzXIQ

Wow! That's amazing. I'll probably buy Photoshop just for that

gjl711 wrote in post #15782000
Not out yet but it looks as if the next version of Photoshop will be able to remove image blur due to camera shake.
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=XLLJBfRzXIQ

It was revealed in late 2011, I hope it's ready for release.

chuckmiller wrote in post #15782260
It was revealed in late 2011, I hope it's ready for release.

It didn't make CS6 so I'm guessing CS7.

Image stabilization + Noise Ninja + Tripod + Photographer's knowledge, then right usage = Good picture.

the reality is there has not been a quantum leap made yet

I have the 5D, 5D2 and 5D3. Over the 8 years or so there has been some improvement at ISO3200+ but ISO 1600 still looks the same - i.e. terrible compared to ISO 100

I assume you are still using a 60D. Don't hesitate to use ISO 6400 for lower light situations. I use a 50D at ISO 6400 and process in Lightroom with amazing results, at least amazing to me. I needed ISO 6400 to get a shutter speed high enough (1/500 sec.) to avoid motion blur of high school basketball players.

Shoot in RAW and slightly overexpose, it's that ETTR thing. There are some great examples in the sports section. I checked POTN, Google and You Tube for hints on post processing. No one example did exactly what I needed but combining tips (change one setting at a time) yielded surprisingly good results, especially small prints.

My ISO 6400 photos are not nearly as good as ISO 100 photos but they are much better than ever expected and certainly better than nothing.

Yes, noise reduction and image stabilization can reduce the need for a more steady camera, but for me, if I can use a tripod, I'm going to use it? Why? I'd rather spend one minute leveling a tripod than 5 minutes in post processing reducing noise and sharpening and image.

Basically... I'll take a razor sharp ISO400 image over a ISO3200 post processed image any day. Obviously tripods aren't usable ALL the time, but if they are... I'm using one.

light field technology = no more f-stop
PS debluring tool = no more shutter peed
infinity focus processing = no more focusing ring
1 Gigapixel CMOS = no more zooms
super sensitive sensors = no more ISO

and no more tripod!

shucks, i was just starting to get the hang of it. damn technology is taking the craft out of the art.

texshooter wrote in post #15782496
light field technology = no more f-stop
PS debluring tool = no more shutter peed
infinity focus sensors = no more focusing ring
1 Gigapixel CMOS = no more zooms

and no more tripod!

shucks, i was just starting to get the hang of it. damn technology is taking the craft out of the art.

It will be many.... many years before all of those technologies are built into a camera fast and powerful enough for me to shoot a wedding with.