EF-S Lenses and IS

Hello, I am new to the digital SLR world. That being said, I have a Canon XSi camera and the kit lens. What is the advantage of using the EF-S image stabilized lenses? What would happen if you use a different lens with out the built in IS? And if you do, how do you get the image stabilization feature. Sorry if this sounds strange, but im not too familiar with the lens systems yet. Thanks.

You'll notice that IS will help reduce vibrations cause by going handheld. Most notably when you use it in darker settings. With that being said (while I assume you have the 18-55 IS kit lens), try taking a picture on auto/manual (manual so the speed and aperture are the same) with IS on and without IS, you 'should' notice a difference unless you have pretty steady hands.

The only way to get IS on the XSi is through the lens you use so if you don't get it with the lens, you're kinda hooped. Generally having IS on a lens is a good investment. Although I use a 70-200 f4 non IS all the time handheld so it depends on how steady you are and knowing the environment. I know some people handhold heavier lenses all the time.

The advantages are, it helps to reduce the shake/movement which becomes noticeable by hand holding the camera, and shooting exposures at lower shutter speeds.

If you use a lens without IS you need to try and keep the camera shake/movement to a minimum when shooting with slower shutter speeds, or try to shoot at higher shutter speeds.

The lenses have a switch IS on and off.

The IS cancels camera movement (to a certain extent) that could otherwise result in blurred images. Depending on the lens, it may mean that you can get a clear shot with a shutter speed 4 to 16 times longer than you would require without it.

Be aware that it is not the only difference between the 18-55 and 18-55 IS though, as the latter is optically superior too.

To use it, enable it on the lens using the switch. It will engage when you half-press the shutter release button and stay active until after the exposure is made.

Thanks for the replies. Do other manufactures have IS in their lenses as well. IE Tamron, Sigma. Ect. Thanks.

By other names, yes. Sigma has Optical Stabilisation (OS); Tamron has Vibration Control (VC).

Also, I suggest that you visit -->this thread<-- and ask that your POTN user name be changed. Using an email address is just inviting spam.

Thank you. Will do.

This is a good example.. In this case Tamrons version of IS is called VC.

http://www.tamron.com/​B003special/vc.html

It's not just ef-s lenses that have IS - sorry if you already knew that.. sounded like you didn't