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
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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
Mode 2 is for panning
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.
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
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.
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...
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel Cadieux
IS Mode 1 is necessary when the photographer is shooting a stationary subject from a moving platform, e.g. shooting from helicopter.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Milicia
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.
