jami_lee_tatro Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Seems like a simple question, but in what situations does IS come into play? Canon's website will tell you it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I was just wondering people's take on it. I would especially like to know when you actually use it while shooting and not just the theoretical (although that'll be nice too ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinsouthern Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 In a nutshell it moves one of the elements inside the lens so that any small variations in lens position are cancelled out, within the limits of the device. As a rule of thumb - to minimise camera shake - you need to use a shutter speed that's the reciprocal of your focal length. So if you're shooting with a 100mm lens then you want to be shooting at 1/100th of a second or faster ... ... unless you have IS. Often in the real world you just can't shoot at 1/100th of a second due to the ambient light (or rather the lack of it) - if you have a lens with 4th generation IS then you may be able to hand-hold a 100mm lens as low as 1/8th of a second. It's not a "get out of jail card" for every occasion, but it sure increases the number of in focus shots when lighting is poor. "The best thing since sliced bread" - well yep - pretty close. Cheers, Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdanmitchell Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 IS compensates for camera shake, allowing you to hand hold the camera at slower shutter speeds without getting blur from the camera moving. Depending upon the lens, Canon claims that you can shoot at a shutter speed that is from two to four stops slower. If you could hand hold a shot without IS a 1/100 second, this means that with IS (depending upon the lens) you could hand hold it at 1/25 second or perhaps even slower. IS is not helpful at all for stopping a moving subject. For that you still need a faster shutter speed. In fact, in situations with a moving shutter speed using IS can make things worse since you may be tempted to shoot at even slower shutter speeds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 To add to the merry chorus but to keep it non technical and `when shooting` as mentioned: IS is also useful on a tripod . . . say when set up on the vibrating deck of a boat, or a suspension bridge, and shooting an object not on the bots or bridge: although not camera shake from your hands, there is camera movement, relative to the subject. IS is also useful for panning fast moving objects. Further into the technicalities there are `generations` of IS, and these get `better` for each subsequent generation. The lens you were asking about previously (24 to 105F4L) has the latest generation of IS in it, I believe (4th generation): and as Colin mentioned should allow 1/8 sec shutter speed by an experienced hand with great results (for a static subject). Because the `value` of IS is often spoken about in `stops`; there is a misconception by many that it will `increase` the shutter speed, and thus `stop subject motion`: both of these assumptions are incorrect. WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 . . . or shooting from a Black Hawk helicopter :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 >>> In fact, in situations with a moving shutter speed using IS can make things worse since you may be tempted to shoot at even slower shutter speeds. <<< (DM) Not sure, but I think Dan means: `in situations with a moving SUBJECT, using IS can make things worse since you may be tempted to shoot at even slower shutter speeds`. WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jami_lee_tatro Posted February 7, 2008 Author Share Posted February 7, 2008 Okay, ya got me William. Would IS help when shooting from the helicopter...let's say for example a Hawk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinsouthern Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 "Okay, ya got me William. Would IS help when shooting from the helicopter...let's say for example a Hawk?" Very much so, in many circumstances (ultimately it depends on what shutter speed you're using). If it helps, Nikon's equivalent technology is called "vibration reduction". Last time I looked up the meaning of the word "vibration" it said "refer Black Hawk Helicopter" ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 >>> Okay, ya got me William. Would IS help when shooting from the helicopter...let's say for example a Hawk? <<< I cannot out do Colin`s reply. Yes. Certainly IS would be of benefit to you in this shooting scenario. The above were serious comments, and referring both to your previous post (the lenses) and to your profession. My words might seem off beat at times, but I am being helpful: difficult to tell when we can only write and read the words and not see the face and the body language. Cheers WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yakim_peled1 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 >> Canon's website will tell you it's the greatest thing since sliced bread Not at all. It's the greatest thing since AF. Happy shooting, Yakim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric merrill Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 IS is useful whenever your camera isn't mounted securely on a tripod. Other than changing the mode to the "pan mode" when I'm panning at slower shutter speeds and when I have my camera on a tripod, I leave IS on full time. Except for macro shots, I rarely use a tripod. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sattler123 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Is is indispensable when you want to shoot handheld - it cancels out the trembling of your hands - for longer lenses it is a must. The sharpness of your images will increase dramatically with IS. Even on a tripod with a gimbal-type head, IS is extremely useful. Most longer lenses have two IS modes - one for stationary objects and one for moving subjects for panning. When shooting birds in flight, the IS with the panning mode engaged will increase your keepers significantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason_hall4 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 I really can't add to what the folks above have ready told ya, except to say, I would not leave home with out it. Kind of like your cell phone, Computer and Email, now ya wonder how folks ever lived with out them. And when you think, it was not all that long ago. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_macpherson Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Sliced bread? IS? Take 6 slices of wonder bread, place in a heap, lay long lens on top and push down to activate squish control feature. Voila - lens perfectly cradled and minor movements from shaky hands are reduced by being absorbed by bread. All IS has done is make the sliced bread method of vibration reduction more portable. Hence "its the best thing since sliced bread". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_myers Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 <p>Personally, I would prefer to slice my own bread *and* do without AF, rather than be without IS on long lenses!</p> <p>It's the most significant improvement in SLR photography since roll film, IMHO, and is useful to help insure sharpness at all shutter speeds, not just slower ones.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g dan mitchell Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 "The lens you were asking about previously (24 to 105F4L) has the latest generation of IS in it, I believe (4th generation): and as Colin mentioned should allow 1/8 sec shutter speed by an experienced hand with great results (for a static subject). " I just licensed a dusk photograph that I fired off on top of a mountain ridge with 5D and 24-105 at about this shutter speed. I had a tripod but no time to set it up. The shot just plain wouldn't have happened without IS. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcolwell Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 In response to the OP: IS is most useful when it's turned on; and, it moves a piece of glass inside the lens to give you sharp photos even when the camera is moving around a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimstrutz Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 When I actually use it: Almost all the time, since I never turn it off unless using a tripod. It works great for hand holding long lenses, and even short ones indoors or without much light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfpow Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Ok, so I'm thinking of buying my first VR lens, i shoot nikon obviously. After reading all this i now believe that they are useful. Any thoughts on which Nikon VR lenses are particularly well made, and just all around great performers. I use my 24-85 f2.8 all the time, and probably my 12-24 f4 the most after that. But woud'nt mind getting a longer zoom. I know this is a general question and things like pricing and what i usually shoot come into play, so im just looking for impressions on the best VR lenses. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yakim_peled1 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 24-85/2.8? To the best of my knowledge no such lens exist. There's 24-85/3.5-4.5 and 24-70/2.8. Also what do you shoot? What is your budget? Have you considered the 70-200/2.8 VR? There's also the 80-400 VR but it lacks AFS. http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests Details man, details... Happy shooting, Yakim. And BTW, why don't you ask in the Nikon forum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfpow Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Yakim, thanks for the info, i suppose i should be asking in the nikon forum, this is the lens im talking about...http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/2485af.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yakim_peled1 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Never knew such lens exists. Well, I am not very familiar with Nikon. Happy shooting, Yakim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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