List of lenses with strong Image Stabilizer

After trying out the 70-200mm f/4 IS and the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS you could really feel the IS kicking in. Seeing the super smooth motion through the viewfinder put a big grin on my face.

I was wondering if there are other lenses like this? My 18-55mm IS doesn't feel like theres IS in it.

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …hnology/lineup/​index.html

jxs1984 wrote in post #10110901
After trying out the 70-200mm f/4 IS and the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS you could really feel the IS kicking in. Seeing the super smooth motion through the viewfinder put a big grin on my face.

I was wondering if there are other lenses like this? My 18-55mm IS doesn't feel like theres IS in it.

That's because you don't notice the vibrations in the viewfinder as much with an 18-55mm lens. With a longer telephoto, even small vibrations can easily be seen through the viewfinder. If you tried out a 300 or 400mm lens with IS, it would be even easier to see the stabilizing effect in the viewfinder.

The perceived "strength" of the IS is more a function of the lens' focal length than anything. Most modern IS units offer 3 or 4 stops of stabilization, so they all pretty similar performance-wise.

Also keep in mind that the 18-55 is a compact lens without any large glass elements inside, so the IS system is much more compact. As a result, you probably won't be able to feel the IS elements moving. With a larger telephoto, on the other hand, you're much more likely to hear and feel the IS system kicking in. That doesn't mean it's more effective, just that there is more glass being moved around to stabilize the lens.

thanks for clarifying... that makes sense. the only way I could tell if my IS on the 18-55mm is working when I take a long exposure photo on the tripod. the photo comes out blurry hence the IS needs to be switched off.

are there any IS lenses where you don't even feel the vibration but can see the difference while handheld through the viewfinder?

@ Gg6gt2
I partly disagree.
There is a noticable difference betweeb my 24-105L and 18-55IS when activating IS, even at comparable FL. 24-105L seems to freeze when IS kicks in.
This is in contradiction with what you stated.

hennie wrote in post #10111900
@ Gg6gt2
I partly disagree.
There is a noticable difference betweeb my 24-105L and 18-55IS when activating IS, even at comparable FL. 24-105L seems to freeze when IS kicks in.
This is in contradiction with what you stated.

thats what i'm talking about!

anybody else?

jxs1984 wrote in post #10112252
thats what i'm talking about!

anybody else?

the 18-55 has a cheaper type of IS.

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #10112261
the 18-55 has a cheaper type of IS.

ed rader

yes i'm aware lol

jxs1984 wrote in post #10112270
yes i'm aware lol

was the plastic mount a clue....or was it the price ?

ed rader

The 18-55 IS has an excellent IS unit. It is good for 3-4 stops. The lens is just light and has light lens elements so it doesn't need a powerful IS unit.

You've got a car in your avatar, so you probably have heard of a Lotus Elise. Those have a mere 1.8L engine with under 200hp, but because of the light weight and aero design of the car, it beats many sports cars with double the horsepower in 0-60 times.

ed rader wrote in post #10112288
was the plastic mount a clue....or was it the price ?

ed rader

those and self experience. it's still a good lens for the money though!

tkbslc wrote in post #10112310
The 18-55 IS has an excellent IS unit. It is good for 3-4 stops. The lens is just light and has light lens elements so it doesn't need a powerful IS unit.

You've got a car in your avatar, so you probably have heard of a Lotus Elise. Those have a mere 1.8L engine with under 200hp, but because of the light weight and aero design of the car, it beats many sports cars with double the horsepower in 0-60 times.

lol nice analogy. with the 18-55mm sometime I can't get a decent shot when shooting slower than 1/30. I would have to do burst shots and pick the best one.

jxs1984 wrote in post #10112376
lol nice analogy. with the 18-55mm sometime I can't get a decent shot when shooting slower than 1/30. I would have to do burst shots and pick the best one.

That doesn't sound right. The 18-55 IS has nearly un-noticeable stabilization when looking through the viewfinder, but it is extremely effective. In terms of "stops" I find it to be better than the 70-200 f/2.8 IS.

The 200 2Ls IS is amazing. Heres a hand held shot at 1/25 of a sec. I can't hand hold my 85 at 1/25 of sec.
here the 200 2L at 1/25 of a sec.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #10112418
The 200 2Ls IS is amazing. Heres a hand held shot at 1/25 of a sec. I can't hand hold my 85 at 1/25 of sec.
here the 200 2L at 1/25 of a sec.

can you feel it kicking in or see the smooth moving motion through your viewfinder?

jxs1984 wrote in post #10112433
can you feel it kicking in or see the smooth moving motion through your viewfinder?

Yeah its not real intense but you can feel it, hear it and sometimes see it.

BenJohnson wrote in post #10112405
That doesn't sound right. The 18-55 IS has nearly un-noticeable stabilization when looking through the viewfinder, but it is extremely effective. In terms of "stops" I find it to be better than the 70-200 f/2.8 IS.

Yeah, I could do 1/10 all day and 1/6 about 60% of the time with mine at all focal lengths. Are you sure you aren't just having motion blur and not camera shake at 1/30?