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using stabilization with tripod?
May 21, 2021 10:42:39 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
Jack 13088 wrote:
So tell me how does the camera know it is on a tripod?
Accelerometer algorithm which controls the lens element or IBIS adjuster. Probably based on direction and frequency of accelerations.
May 21, 2021 10:47:37 #
May 21, 2021 10:56:46 #
fetzler
Loc: North West PA
CHG_CANON wrote:
Your modern and highly advanced Sony A7RIII is not impacted by leaving the IBIS active with a tripod. If determined to follow advice that applies to older cameras / lenses from other brands and DSLRs, be sure to remember to turn it back on. It's much easier to never turn off the IBIS feature.
CHG_Cannon has the right idea. On my Nikon DSLR I would turn off stabilization off on a tripod. With my Olympus cameras IBIS stays on as there is no reason to turn it off.
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May 21, 2021 12:16:27 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
quote=Jack 13088]So tell me how does the camera know it is on a tripod?[/quote]
It doesn't.
Most Canon lenses simply turn off IS when there is no movement detected. I can't say about other brands, which are likely to be somewhat different (each manufacturer has their own, patented versions of image stabilization).
In other words, it's not just tripods. It's any situation where there's absolutely no movement of the camera. I.e., when the camera and lens are fully locked down on a stable tripod.
Canon USA's former tech guru Chuck Westfall told me it's best to just leave Canon IS on in most cases. The reason the Canon lens user manuals say to turn it off when on a tripod is simply to save a little power. In fact, Westfall noted that IS can correct for internal camera vibrations such as mirror slap (DSLRs) and mechanical shutter movement (both mirrorless and DSLRs). With big lenses and high magnification, there can be movement from the breeze or even the photographer pressing the shutter release. IS can correct for those movements, too.
There are a few Canon lenses that "freak out" when there's no movement and require IS be turned off by the user. The IS sort of goes into a feedback loop where it actually causes movement. You can see it happening in the viewfinder as a rapid jumping or shaking of the image (not to be confused with a slower "image drift" that's common with most stabilization and normally doesn't effect images, but see below).
The specific Canon lenses that have this type of IS, that need it to be manually turned off when there's no movement, are:
- EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (1995-discontinued), first lens to have built in image stabilization, discontinued many years ago.
- EF 300mm f/4L IS USM (1997-present), 2nd lens to have IS and the only lens in this group that's still in production.
- EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM (1998-discontinued), 3rd lens to have IS, only discontinued within the last few years. This lens was sold in kit with many SLRs and DSLRs, so is fairly common on the used market. It's sort of a "sleeper"... actually a very capable lens that doesn't seem particularly well made or impressive and sells for relatively little money. From 28 to around 120mm it's image quality is competitive with that of much more expensive L-series of the day.
- EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM (1998-2014), this is the earlier version with the push/pull zoom design. It was superseded by the "II" version in 2014.
- EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM (2005-2016), another earlier version, superseded by the "II" in 2016. Note: Westfall only listed the above four lenses. I've added this one after hearing many reports of similar IS issues with this lens.
That's it. All other Canon lenses' IS can be left on when "on a tripod" or otherwise supported so that there's absolutely no movement. The IS on all other Canon lenses (about 40 or 50 of them) will turn itself off when not needed. Note that all the above lenses are very handholdable models. The largest and heaviest of them are the 300mm and 100-400mm, each of which are approx. 3 lb. I've used three of those lenses extensively, multiple copies of two of them... and don't think I've ever "locked them down" on a tripod. I've used them on "loose" gimbals and monopods, where there's plenty of movement to keep IS happy. In fact, I can't remember the last time I turned off IS on any Canon lens, some of which I've been using for nearly 20 years.
Yes, many of those "all other" Canon lenses' user manuals instruct you to turn IS off when on a tripod. However, it's just to save battery power, according to Westfall. But if the lens is automatically turning off IS anyway, when no movement is detected, that accomplishes the same thing. Not to mention, IS doesn't really draw much power. I often use a pair of cameras shooting events, each set up with a different lens. Sometimes one lens is IS and the other is not. I haven't formally tested it, but also haven't noticed significant difference between how many shots I get out of the batteries in the IS and non-IS cameras. While IS does draw some power when working, in Canon lenses it doesn't seem to be very much.
Canon has only just introduced their first couple mirrorless models with mechanical in-body images stabilization (IBIS)... The R6 and R5. They have designed it to work in conjunction with optical IS built into lenses, to significantly increase the amount of assistance that stabilization provides. There have been some glitches noted and firmware updates trying to resolve them (primarily, missed focus on first shot in a burst... this may or may not relate to IBIS/IS).
Of course, all this may or may not apply to Sony or Nikon or Sigma or Tamron or any other manufacturer's image stabilization system.
It doesn't.
Most Canon lenses simply turn off IS when there is no movement detected. I can't say about other brands, which are likely to be somewhat different (each manufacturer has their own, patented versions of image stabilization).
In other words, it's not just tripods. It's any situation where there's absolutely no movement of the camera. I.e., when the camera and lens are fully locked down on a stable tripod.
Canon USA's former tech guru Chuck Westfall told me it's best to just leave Canon IS on in most cases. The reason the Canon lens user manuals say to turn it off when on a tripod is simply to save a little power. In fact, Westfall noted that IS can correct for internal camera vibrations such as mirror slap (DSLRs) and mechanical shutter movement (both mirrorless and DSLRs). With big lenses and high magnification, there can be movement from the breeze or even the photographer pressing the shutter release. IS can correct for those movements, too.
There are a few Canon lenses that "freak out" when there's no movement and require IS be turned off by the user. The IS sort of goes into a feedback loop where it actually causes movement. You can see it happening in the viewfinder as a rapid jumping or shaking of the image (not to be confused with a slower "image drift" that's common with most stabilization and normally doesn't effect images, but see below).
The specific Canon lenses that have this type of IS, that need it to be manually turned off when there's no movement, are:
- EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (1995-discontinued), first lens to have built in image stabilization, discontinued many years ago.
- EF 300mm f/4L IS USM (1997-present), 2nd lens to have IS and the only lens in this group that's still in production.
- EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM (1998-discontinued), 3rd lens to have IS, only discontinued within the last few years. This lens was sold in kit with many SLRs and DSLRs, so is fairly common on the used market. It's sort of a "sleeper"... actually a very capable lens that doesn't seem particularly well made or impressive and sells for relatively little money. From 28 to around 120mm it's image quality is competitive with that of much more expensive L-series of the day.
- EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM (1998-2014), this is the earlier version with the push/pull zoom design. It was superseded by the "II" version in 2014.
- EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM (2005-2016), another earlier version, superseded by the "II" in 2016. Note: Westfall only listed the above four lenses. I've added this one after hearing many reports of similar IS issues with this lens.
That's it. All other Canon lenses' IS can be left on when "on a tripod" or otherwise supported so that there's absolutely no movement. The IS on all other Canon lenses (about 40 or 50 of them) will turn itself off when not needed. Note that all the above lenses are very handholdable models. The largest and heaviest of them are the 300mm and 100-400mm, each of which are approx. 3 lb. I've used three of those lenses extensively, multiple copies of two of them... and don't think I've ever "locked them down" on a tripod. I've used them on "loose" gimbals and monopods, where there's plenty of movement to keep IS happy. In fact, I can't remember the last time I turned off IS on any Canon lens, some of which I've been using for nearly 20 years.
Yes, many of those "all other" Canon lenses' user manuals instruct you to turn IS off when on a tripod. However, it's just to save battery power, according to Westfall. But if the lens is automatically turning off IS anyway, when no movement is detected, that accomplishes the same thing. Not to mention, IS doesn't really draw much power. I often use a pair of cameras shooting events, each set up with a different lens. Sometimes one lens is IS and the other is not. I haven't formally tested it, but also haven't noticed significant difference between how many shots I get out of the batteries in the IS and non-IS cameras. While IS does draw some power when working, in Canon lenses it doesn't seem to be very much.
Canon has only just introduced their first couple mirrorless models with mechanical in-body images stabilization (IBIS)... The R6 and R5. They have designed it to work in conjunction with optical IS built into lenses, to significantly increase the amount of assistance that stabilization provides. There have been some glitches noted and firmware updates trying to resolve them (primarily, missed focus on first shot in a burst... this may or may not relate to IBIS/IS).
Of course, all this may or may not apply to Sony or Nikon or Sigma or Tamron or any other manufacturer's image stabilization system.
May 21, 2021 12:50:51 #
fetzler wrote:
CHG_Cannon has the right idea. On my Nikon DSLR I would turn off stabilization off on a tripod. With my Olympus cameras IBIS stays on as there is no reason to turn it off.
You need to read the lens manuel. My 200-400mm f4 states to leave it on when used on a tripod.
May 21, 2021 13:31:01 #
Drbobcameraguy wrote:
You need to read the lens manuel. My 200-400mm f4 states to leave it on when used on a tripod.
Do you mean Canon's EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Built-in 1.4x, or some other brand / lens?
Canon L-series model IIs all feature tripod detection technology. The manual for this original version does include the consideration for turning off the IS when using a tripod.
But then again, what does cutting-edge DSLR equipment have to do with glorious mirrorless cameras?
May 21, 2021 13:42:38 #
The correct answer is on page one of this thread. Mr. Hoffman posted the page from the manual for the camera in question.
It doesn't really matter how Nikons or Canons handle this since the OP asked about a specific Sony!
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It doesn't really matter how Nikons or Canons handle this since the OP asked about a specific Sony!
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May 21, 2021 13:51:12 #
Shooter41
Loc: Wichita, KS
dkeysser wrote:
I am shooting a Sony A7Riii, and normally only shoot hand-held. But I have rediscovered my old tripod and want to start using that for landscapes and macro. My question is: do I need to turn off the camera's built in optical stabilization when I am using a tripod, or do they work together? Thanks in advance
Dear dkeysser...I am shooting a Sony A7R4, but an too old and weak to hand hold it for an entire indoor soccer game. I just started using a tripod to shoot entire indoor soccer games and discovered that my arms weren't nearly as tired at the end of the games, but my images were way SHARPER! (I leave my stabilization and high speed shutter on because I am panning left and right the entire game and probably do some horizontal camera-shaking even though I am on a tripod.) I think you will like the resulting images.
May 21, 2021 14:44:30 #
May 21, 2021 15:32:04 #
Hamltnblue
Loc: Springfield PA
Also depends on where you are and conditions.
If there is a decent wind, turn it on
If you are on a bridge or other potentially vibrating surface, turn it on.
Otherwise refer to the camera and/or lens manufacturer recommendations
If there is a decent wind, turn it on
If you are on a bridge or other potentially vibrating surface, turn it on.
Otherwise refer to the camera and/or lens manufacturer recommendations
May 21, 2021 15:45:30 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Do you mean Canon's EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Built-in 1.4x, or some other brand / lens?
Canon L-series model IIs all feature tripod detection technology. The manual for this original version does include the consideration for turning off the IS when using a tripod.
But then again, what does cutting-edge DSLR equipment have to do with glorious mirrorless cameras?
Canon L-series model IIs all feature tripod detection technology. The manual for this original version does include the consideration for turning off the IS when using a tripod.
But then again, what does cutting-edge DSLR equipment have to do with glorious mirrorless cameras?
If you read it says Nikon shooters lol. It was posted due to the fact I had a perminition that Nikon DSLR shooter's would surely reply. Lol
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May 21, 2021 16:02:42 #
No, they don't work together. Turn it off when using a tripod.
May 21, 2021 16:09:11 #
When I bought my Nikkor 200-500mm zoom, I saw the VR switch had 2 settings - Normal and Active. Asked the Nikon tech what the difference was and he said something about using Active for shooting sports. Since I don't do that, I've never switched out of Normal, and never turned it off. (The tech never mentioned the need to turn it off.) I recall reading that VR really only does its thing at relatively slow shutter speeds. Can anybody confirm that?
May 21, 2021 16:13:06 #
Drbobcameraguy wrote:
If you read it says Nikon shooters lol. It was posted due to the fact I had a perminition that Nikon DSLR shooter's would surely reply. Lol
??? The OP's A7RIII has never been a DSLR nor would that Sony excellence ever be confused as having Nikon style limitations.
May 21, 2021 16:57:00 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
??? The OP's A7RIII has never been a DSLR nor would that Sony excellence ever be confused as having Nikon style limitations.
I knew Nikon shooters would respond to a question that they knew nothing about. I have been here awhile. Lol
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