Canon 300mm f/2.8 IS ?

I am looking into buying a 300mm 2.8. I will be using it with a monopod and I need to know if you have to turn the IS off when using with monopod. If so I would like to just just buy a non IS lens.

Thanks

No, you leave IS on when using a monopod and even on a tripod and IS will help.

In accordance to the manual, it is recommended to turn the lens image-stabilizer "off" when employing a tripod. However, when using a monopod, you can leave the image-stabilizer "on." Some IS lenses enable the user to change the IS mode manually to better accommodate shooting conditions.

britt777 wrote in post #8241863
I am looking into buying a 300mm 2.8. I will be using it with a monopod and I need to know if you have to turn the IS off when using with monopod. If so I would like to just just buy a non IS lens.

Thanks

Thats a good question! Someone should do a test on it!

It may be me...but I leave the IS off virtually all the time. In shooting sports, my shutter speeds are 800 and above..thus IS not much of a help. I also noticed that my focus accuracy and quickness increases when IS is off. Can anyone verify this?

thanks so much for the tips. I couldn't get the manual for this lens on canon website so I thought I would ask here. My 500 says to turn IS off when using tripod, but wasn't sure for the 300. I don't want to invest in IS if its always turned off.

You can only buy a new 300 with IS, they don't make a non IS version anymore. If you buy an older one beware that Canon may not service it anymore. I don't use the IS, don't need it for shooting sports.

Sledhed wrote in post #8242574
You can only buy a new 300 with IS, they don't make a non IS version anymore. If you buy an older one beware that Canon may not service it anymore. I don't use the IS, don't need it for shooting sports.

You might want to go back and read the OP's post and the subsequent replys.

on a monopod i always shoot with the IS on, on a tripod i will usually turn the stabilization off unless its windy, or whatever the tripod is resting on is unstable

Sam|McGuire wrote in post #8242624
You might want to go back and read the OP's post and the subsequent replys.

Yeah, but it's a pretty valid point. One repair on a non-IS 300 2.8 and you probably could have purchased a used 300 2.8 IS in very good condition.

I know a couple people that have sent off 200 1.8's, and it's not cheap to have them repaired.

jcpoulin wrote in post #8242432
It may be me...but I leave the IS off virtually all the time. In shooting sports, my shutter speeds are 800 and above..thus IS not much of a help. I also noticed that my focus accuracy and quickness increases when IS is off. Can anyone verify this?

IS/OS can take some time to "settle". If you are the type to press the focus button and then the shutter immediately after then leaving the IS/OS off is a good idea. However, if you are constantly tracking your subject and the IS/OS has already "settled" then it shouldn't matter. Using IS/OS with sports is nice if you are handholding as it can help keep your image stable with tracking your subject. When using a monopod I often have an image that is stable enough to track so IS/OS is not as much of a benefit.

good points. Thanks for the tips

When i'm using my 18-55 IS i turn the IS off on a tripod but on when handholding or my monopod is used the IS is on always . I move too much not to have it on .

I leave the IS on virtually all the time on my 300. I use a tripod or monopod for most of my shooting and have an extender on more often than not.

MinhThien wrote in post #8242388
Thats a good question! Someone should do a test on it!

I did, through a few soccer games

Now I turn IS off if the shutter speed is high enough.

Maybe it's me and my technique, but it seems like I get a bit sharper pics with IS off.