Image Stabilization

[Andrew Merwin]

I read a paper about the Nikon VR system that explained how the system works. Two comments jumped out at me.

"The first and most important rule of VR is this: never turn VR on unless it's actually needed.

"Rule #2: VR should normally be off if your shutter speed is over 1/500."

Regardless of what camera you shoot, what are your thoughts on the above rules? I have never followed either rule. Do you adhere to these rules?

Here is the link to the article: http://www.bythom.com/nikon-vr.htm

Andrew

[Doug Brown]

VR and IS are overrated when your shutter speed gets above 1/1000. I rarely use IS on my Canon bodies anymore, and I shoot hand held BIF with a 600mm and 1.4x. I agree with the article that sharpness may be a little better with IS off. The article you reference is written by a highly regarded Nikon guy. I'd believe it.

[Alan Lillich]

I agree with Thom and Doug. We tend to forget that stabilization was created, and is even documented by the camera makers, as a tool for sharper shots at slow shutter speeds. It is not a miracle tool for all situations.

[John Chardine]

I would be very interested to know if the same applies to Canon's IS system. I assume it would but then again they may work using different principles. I might just try turning it off above 1/1000s and see what happens.

[Lance Peters]

It is a very interesting read by Thom and nothing jumps out at me as being incorrect.
Goes against what the common advice is - but agree that even the manual says only use it when it is needed - think people just mis-understand what it is used for.

My Sigmonster does not have it - so no need to worry :)

[Desmond Chan]

It is a very interesting read by Thom and nothing jumps out at me as being incorrect.
Goes against what the common advice is - but agree that even the manual says only use it when it is needed - think people just mis-understand what it is used for.

My Sigmonster does not have it - so no need to worry :)

When I read some folks who select a super-tele based on if it has VR or IS, I always wonder: do they really shoot @ 1/30s or even 1/8s with a 600mm hand-held??

[Doug Brown]

You won't be disappointed John. Here's a 100% crop of a Tern BIF image taken hand held with the 600mm at 1/2000. Straight Lightroom export with default LR sharpening only. Turning IS off saves your battery and probably helps you start taking pictures slightly faster (you don't wait for IS to kick in).

[Desmond Chan]

I would be very interested to know if the same applies to Canon's IS system. I assume it would but then again they may work using different principles. I might just try turning it off above 1/1000s and see what happens.

Traditional thinking is, to minimize camera shake showing up in your photos, use a shutter speed 1/(focal length of the lens). With a suggestion of a minimum of 1/500s for not using VR/IS, applying that traditional thinking, it is safe to use a 500mm lens with VR or IS off at that shutter speed. With a crop factor camera, simply use an even faster shutter speed. As long as you shoot at a fast shutter speed, VR or IS is not necessarily as it has been proven sine the film days when no VR or IS existed (also as Doug has nicely shown with his photo). This also means that whatever principles Nikon or Canon based their system on should not be a factor at all in making your decision on whether to leave the VR/IS on or off with shutter speeds that high.

[Roger Clark]

Regarding Canon IS, I have tested a number of lenses versus shutter speed. The 300 f/4 L IS has an older IS version. At shutter speeds above about 1/1000 second, the image quality actually drops! I try and remember to turn off IS on that lens at high shutter speeds. On my 300 f/2.8 and 500 f/4, I have found no degradation at high shutter speeds so I don't usually turn it off if I am shooting when I am following subjects. If I am imaging static subjects, e.g. with the tripod locked down, I have detected a slight (very slight) degradation in image quality with IS on with my 500 f/4 at any intermediate shutter speeds. Where I have seen this is when I've photographed the Moon with stacked 2x and 1.4x TCs at shutter speeds around 1/100 second. In cases like this there is just a slight blur at the pixel level. You probably wouldn't notice this effect with one TC. Here is one such example of the moon with stacjked TC and no IS:
http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries...0mm.d-923.html

Roger

[Greg Basco]

I can understand the original comments but would add a note that the use of IS is certainly place specific. Here in Costa Rica, I'm rarely shooting faster than 1/500 and often have to pull off 1/30 on a tripod for birds or other subjects. And if I am able to handhold at 1/250 I'm thrilled. So, if you go to a place with low light you might invert rule #1, only turning IS off on the relatively rare occasions when you know it's not needed (e.g., long tripod exposures and over 1/500).

Cheers,
Greg Basco

[Myer Bornstein]

interesting paper re IS regarding pros and cons and usage. it was very usefull

[Chris Ober]

moving to photography gear forum