What IS mode for panning (Canon lens)

[David Kenny]

Was just wondering what the best IS mode to be in for shooting running shore birds or running rodents would be? I only have mode 1 or 2 available on my lens (canon 100-400mm 5.6). Thanks

-Dave

[Don Lacy]

Mode 2 is for panning

[Mike Milicia]

Mode 1 will always try to correct for lens shake or movement in both horizontal and vertical directions. Therefore, if you are intentionally panning, this can work against you.

Mode 2 will behave exactly like Mode 1 unless and until the camera detects that you are panning. If it detects that you are panning in a given direction, it will automatically disable any attempts by the IS to correct for movement in that direction.

Given the above, many recommend just leaving the IS in Mode 2 all of the time since there is really no downside and you don’t have to remember to switch back and forth.

[David Kenny]

Thanks,

Here are two follow up questions if you don't mind. 1) At faster shutter speeds is there even a need for IS (lets say 1/1000th)? 2) if I am panning hand held following a slower moving squirrel and I am in mode 2 if the squirrel jumps on a rock and freezes (lets say my shutter speed is on the slower side; around 1/350th) do I need to switch to mode 1 or would mode 2 still work fine.

Dave

[Mike Milicia]

1) I don't know of any downside of having IS on so I leave it on all the time.

2) No need to switch to Mode 1 in this scenario. In Mode 2, once you stop panning, the IS will immediately revert to Mode 1 behavior. I leave the IS in Mode 2 all the time.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Even at higher shutter speeds IS is useful as it steadies the image in the viewfinder for easier tracking purposes when doing bird in flight photography.

Since Mode 2 works just as Mode 1 save for panning (thus making it logical to just keep it there) then why would Canon bother to have different modes at all? Just wondering out loud here...

[Mike Milicia]

Since Mode 2 works just as Mode 1 save for panning (thus making it logical to just keep it there) then why would Canon bother to have different modes at all? Just wondering out loud here...

I have wondered the same thing since first reading Chuck Westfall's explanation of how Mode 2 works. One theory might be that the early IS lenses that did not have a switch behaved like Mode 1 so they left that behavior for compatibility. Another might be that when they came up with the technology for Mode 2, they made it a different mode for marketing reasons to emphasize that it was something new. Neither theory makes all that much sense to me but that's the best I can come up with.

[arash_hazeghi]

I have wondered the same thing since first reading Chuck Westfall's explanation of how Mode 2 works. One theory might be that the early IS lenses that did not have a switch behaved like Mode 1 so they left that behavior for compatibility. Another might be that when they came up with the technology for Mode 2, they made it a different mode for marketing reasons to emphasize that it was something new. Neither theory makes all that much sense to me but that's the best I can come up with.

IS Mode 1 is necessary when the photographer is shooting a stationary subject from a moving platform, e.g. shooting from helicopter.

[David Kenny]

Thanks for the feedback. I always left it in mode 1 (unless on tripod I turn it off) I guess I will have to give mode 2 a shot and see the results.