I think it would help if camera and lens manufacturers would provide more detailed recommendations. They generally do seem to recommend turning off stabilization when using a tripod, but they don't bother to say why. So the photographer is left wondering things such as:

1. What if I use a tripod but it is a particularly windy day?
2. What about when using a monopod or other support such as a tree or perhaps a car door while the engine is running?

Generally, it would be helpful in general to have some answers to the "why" question.

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Dear Burk Photo...

In your post, you stated: "Some cameras automatically turn on stabilization when there is camera "

As a 'long-time' gaffer of 55+ years, I have never seen this in print or any official documents.

I have seen this 'opined' on many occasions, and in all of my research, I have not been able to find this for my cameras, the Canon brand, or many others that I have researched in the past...

As an avid photographer, and someone who likes to be very informed because of the rapid changes in our craft, I do like to stay 'up to speed' for the elements of our profession and I am wondering if you could provide me with a 'specific brand' and/or a link to some official documentation which indicates this..??

I truly say this with all seriousness, because I do have a true desire to know correct knowledge...

If you could help me with that, it would be greatly appreciated.

Warm regards

Goldstar46
George Veazey
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Dear Blaster-34 ...

I am a Canon user and currently own the EOS R5... I too, have continued to struggle with the same question

Being the 'Geek' that I am, I decided to perform my own 'ad-hoc' test by doing the following...

1- Set my camera w/ my RF 100-500mm @ 500. setup in my residence office, point across the street
2- Tripod was a Mammer-Jammer $ 1,200/ Gitzo, carbon fiber, w/ a $ 350 Gembal head..
3- Set my shutter speed to 1/10 second, and using the display monitor on the back of the camera
4- I then 'focused' on an 'element' across the street @ 500mm and set AutoFocus 'Off'
5- At this point, I used the 'zoom' function of the camera to 'zoom' in 16x, to test this at extremes.

..... Yes, the above is effectively 8,000mm (500x16) but, after all, you want to see the results

With the above, after taking all 'hands-off' the equipment... one can see "NO movement" of the image.
..BUT, if you 'switch' "IS" on, and take 'hands-off' ... you will see distinct 'Image Drift' in the camera display

. Just saying... and that is only "MY TEST" for my purpose and consideration...
..The above are 'real life facts' and not just some 'theory' or 'guess' or unverified 3rd party information ???
...I do most of my work in landscapes... and after all, what can it hurt to turn off 'IS" if you are on a tripod??

As a result of the above, I have made the personal decision that when I use a tripod, me personally, I will turn off the "IS" as a matter of personal choice, and a 'extra measure' to guard against 'sensor drift'

I offer the above only as info... and to each his own...
...... I am not professing that is this the right way to do things or not the right way

Just information for consideration


Cheers
Goldstar46
George Veazey
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This topic comes up a lot. The CORRECT answer varies by camera brand and model! Stabilization systems are NOT standard. Is yours in the lens? In the body? In both? How many axes of movement are involved? Three? Five?

Some cameras automatically turn on stabilization when there is camera movement and turn it off when there is none. Others can't discern that, so they require the user to turn it off when the camera is on a tripod. Consult your full operations manual for the details. Older cameras are more likely to require your intervention to avoid movement CAUSED by the stabilizer(s).

There are many potential causes of vibration even when using a tripod which could benefit from the image stabilization of a lens and camera being on, including the movements of the shutter, wind moving the lens, your pressing the shutter button, etc However in the "early days" of image stabilization one could see that turning off this system would result in a sharper photo (I actually did some tests a number of years ago and saw this) when the unit was on a tripod. However with the newer image stabilization systems this is not very common.