Turn the IS Off when the Camera is on a Tripod?

[speaklightly]

If I remember correctly, you are supposed to turn the IS off when you place the camera on a tripod. Can anyone verify that for me? Thanks!

Sarah Joyce

[Visual Reality]

That is correct. The IS/VR system can over-compensate and move your image away from your framed position. I have even had my S3 do this handheld - either the IS is too aggressive or I hold it too still.

[Graystar]

There are many opinions on this. I would suggesting testing your camera to see if leaving the IS on causes problems with long exposures on a tripod.

Here are two 15-second exposures of some lights on my network hub, taken with a Canon A710 IS compact camera. The first is with the IS turned off. The second is with the IS turned on.

http://home.nyc.rr.com/graystar/IS-OFF-15-SEC.jpg
http://home.nyc.rr.com/graystar/IS-ON-15-SEC.jpg

There's no difference between the images. I've done this with other scenes and the results are the same...the IS doesn't cause any problems.

Other people will show images from other cameras that demonstate the IS causing problems. That's why I say you really should test your camera and determine for yourself whether or not you need to turn the IS off when using a tripod.
________
FREE PORN VID (http://www.fucktube.com/)

[David Metsky]

http://www.dlcphoto.com/TripodAndIS.htm
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/image-stabilization-on-tripods/

[FLiPMaRC]

http://www.dlcphoto.com/TripodAndIS.htm
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/image-stabilization-on-tripods/

I think it holds true for DSLRs and not P&S with IS. I've had my S3 on a tripod with the IS on and the pictures still come out perfect, just as Graystar stated. Now I'm not sure if it's true for both DSLRs with in-lens IS or in-body IS.

[erichlund]

Unfortunately, the answer is not all that cut and dried. The basic answer is yes, since there is no reason for having it on while shooting from your tripod (and, if there is, you need a new tripod ;)). However, some of the newer image stabilized lenses are now designed to recognize when stabilization is not required, so they are OK for use on a tripod and stabilization on. Still the best habit is to turn it off, so you don't have to check if the particular lens has that feature.

The side benefit it that turning it off saves battery power.

[speaklightly]

To All-

Thank you very much for the answers and references. I really appreciate your help. I was challenged to support my statement that IS should be turned off when the camera was on a tripod. All I could recall was Jef Keller mentioning it.

Have a great day!

Sarah Joyce

[Norm in Fujino]

As an earlier poster noted, it really depends on a lot of variables. Olympus definitely recommends that you not use lens and body IS together (they definitely produce additive noise), but IS with the use of a tripod isn't specified. I think in practice it depends on how much "noise" (movement) your tripod produces, the length of the lens, and shutter speed. I've used both IS ON and OFF with my E-3 on a tripod and haven't found any definitive difference.

[Graystar]

The side benefit it that turning it off saves battery power.

At least on my Canon a710, turning off the IS doesn't save any battery power. Others have reported the same with other Canon compacts. This is pure speculation, but I'd guess that the compacts have no system for locking the shifting element in place, so when you turn the IS off the system probably remains turned on and simply doesn't do anything when it detects motion.

My previous test used lights because lights tend to indicate unwanted motion more easily. Here's another test I just performed on an evenly illuminated object.

http://home.nyc.rr.com/graystar/coffeefull.jpg

http://home.nyc.rr.com/graystar/coffeeCrops.jpg
________
HONDA CB600F HISTORY (http://www.honda-wiki.org/wiki/Honda_CB600F)

[erichlund]

I wouldn't have any idea with compact cameras. Some of them don't even use moving elements, they just bump ISO (NOT ALL, I'm not making a general claim here). I was referring specifically to what I have experience with, In Lens dSLR image stabilization.

[Visual Reality]

I don't think these tests are using the best method. Try a daylight photo. The effect of the IS moving the image happens to me during the day, not at night. Besides I don't use my S3 IS at night - it produces horribly grainy pictures.

[Graystar]

I can?t imagine why it would make a difference, but the second set of images were taken in daylight...just not very much of it. It was certainly far more than was needed to walk around without bumping into things. I?d say the bag in the image is maybe one stop brighter than the actual scene.

But really, it doesn?t matter because I?ve taken images at various speeds in different light using the tripod and IS turned on...I?ve never had a blurred image.
________
JEEP CHEROKEE HISTORY (http://www.dodge-wiki.com/wiki/Jeep_Cherokee)

[Visual Reality]

Sorry I should have thought that through more - fast shutter speed is what I meant.

[tim11]

I wouldn't have any idea with compact cameras. Some of them don't even use moving elements, they just bump ISO (NOT ALL, I'm not making a general claim here). ...
You mean like Fuji antiblur mode? But if they claim OPTICAL IS then they must have some sort of moving elements; right?

I don't see any different on my FZ20 whether when I use tripod whether IS is ON or OFF.

[Visual Reality]

Fuji's IS is bumping the ISO and nothing else. At least, until now.