Canon EF 300/2.8L IS USM Image Stabilization questions

[Magnus Thornberg]

Hi There!
I have received many different answers about the use of IS with and without tripods/monopods.
How do you use IS lenses?
Always with iS on or off?
Are you using MODE 1 or 2?
Do you use IS when shooting in flight shots? or just mode 2?

Please post your thoughts!


/Magnus

[Rich Phalin]

I use mine with the IS always on. I use mode 1 for most everything.

[Robert O'Toole]

Hi There!
I have received many different answers about the use of IS with and without tripods/monopods.
How do you use IS lenses?
Always with iS on or off?
Are you using MODE 1 or 2?
Do you use IS when shooting in flight shots? or just mode 2?

Hello Magnus,

With Canon it depends on the lens in use as there have been 5 or more IS versions from Canon. Your lens and other IS super-telephoto lenses (300mm f/2.8L IS USM through 600mm f/4L IS USM), tripod detection was added so you can leave IS on for handholding, tripod or monopod use.
You would use an IS lens as any other lens except generally speaking IS really increases the % of critically sharp images.
I use Mode 2 IS with super-telephoto Canon lenses.
I would recommend using Mode 2 for flight photography. One of the benefits of IS stabilization is better AF tracking.

Robert

[Magnus Thornberg]

Hello Magnus,

With Canon it depends on the lens in use as there have been 5 or more IS versions from Canon. Your lens and other IS super-telephoto lenses (300mm f/2.8L IS USM through 600mm f/4L IS USM), tripod detection was added so you can leave IS on for handholding, tripod or monopod use.
You would use an IS lens as any other lens except generally speaking IS really increases the % of critically sharp images.
I use Mode 2 IS with super-telephoto Canon lenses.
I would recommend using Mode 2 for flight photography. One of the benefits of IS stabilization is better AF tracking.

Robert

I had no idea that IS helped the AF tracking! That´s nice to know! Thank´s!
But will IS make the images sharper all the time? or is there any situations when IS can make the image unsharp?
/Magnus

[Charles Glatzer]

I had no idea that IS helped the AF tracking! That´s nice to know! Thank´s!
But will IS make the images sharper all the time? or is there any situations when IS can make the image unsharp?
/Magnus

IS only helps with tracking because it is easier to keep the target in position ( less shake) within the viewfinder. I typically shut it off when speeds are up over 1/1600 when hand-holding and pop-shooting (quickly raising the camera to the eye and firing). If you leave IS on it is necessary to lock-on the target as early as possible to allow the IS to stabilize before depressing the shutter.

Chas

[Robert O'Toole]

But will IS make the images sharper all the time? or is there any situations when IS can make the image unsharp?
/Magnus

With some early IS Super tele lenses if you fail to use good technique, like locking on the subject early, IS lag shake could cause some problems like an unsharp image at slow shutter speed I guess.

The newest IS version, Ver.5, on the newer lenses like the EF200/2, the IS has a much lower IS lag time and seems to be very quick and should give the user an even higher % of sharp images.

Robert

[Marc Mol]

I would recommend using Mode 2 for flight photography. One of the benefits of IS stabilization is better AF tracking.

Robert

Hi Robert

I have the Nikon 200-400VR and have been told by a few who own this lens that you should turn VR (using H/H) off when shooting BIF's, due to the lag time it takes for VR to engage? I have recently tried this and the jury is still out as to whether it makes a considerable difference.
It just seems a waste NOT to use VR for this very purpose?
Are there other NIKKOR users out there who shoot H/H BIF's with VR off?

Cheers
Marc