An interesting lesson on WHY to turn off Image Stabilization on a tripod
Feb 22, 2015 19:03:54 #
I just had a great lesson on WHY they say to turn off image stabilization when on a tripod.
I was mounting my new lens, the Big Tammy, onto my Nikon D7100 and checking out both how to work it, and the new ball head I got to work it on (Induro BHL-3). I wanted to have this down before going out in the field, because its much easier to check my manual or look for help on Google if any problems arise, while I am home. This is new gear so its not automatic to me yet how it all works.
So anyways I get it all mounted up and I am wanting to test how the autofocus locks and stuff, so I am setting up my test shot. And then while not touching ANYTHING, I am watching the image dancing all over the place!
This is driving me totally bonkers, because images dancing all over the place, well they gonna come out all kinds of blurry, and I am baffled, why this is so.
SO I check every screw and tripod adjustment, every fastener or tightener on the ball head, lock them all tight, and so its STILL dancing... this was IN my house, no wind or nothing.
FINALLY, I remember that they say to turn OFF image stabilization when using a tripod. I had not turned it on, it was the default setting. And so I do this, and lo and behold, everything holds still! It was nice to see that this isse was not with my tripod or ball head, my honey has let me spend a lot lately and I am not so sure how patient he would be if I said, "Honey can I buy a Gimbal head now too?" (I'll do that later, after things wind down awhile from the latest 1800 dollar splurge!)
Now to me, to see such a living demonstration was really interesting stuff. And so now, I have had a very good lesson, on WHY they say to turn image stabilization OFF, when on a tripod!
The bad news is, it was already getting late, and by the time I figured out all this, as I was scratching my head for some time, and getting rather frustrated also, welp, I didn't have enough time to head where I wanted to shoot, so I am still anxious to actually take some shots with it, and hope to head to the Skagit County wildlife refuge with it tomorrow now.
Some other good news was I had no trouble using the autofocus with the CPL filter on, and it wasn't that bright out either. I had posted awhile ago asking about this, so I am glad to see I will be able to use it quite often.
I was mounting my new lens, the Big Tammy, onto my Nikon D7100 and checking out both how to work it, and the new ball head I got to work it on (Induro BHL-3). I wanted to have this down before going out in the field, because its much easier to check my manual or look for help on Google if any problems arise, while I am home. This is new gear so its not automatic to me yet how it all works.
So anyways I get it all mounted up and I am wanting to test how the autofocus locks and stuff, so I am setting up my test shot. And then while not touching ANYTHING, I am watching the image dancing all over the place!
This is driving me totally bonkers, because images dancing all over the place, well they gonna come out all kinds of blurry, and I am baffled, why this is so.
SO I check every screw and tripod adjustment, every fastener or tightener on the ball head, lock them all tight, and so its STILL dancing... this was IN my house, no wind or nothing.
FINALLY, I remember that they say to turn OFF image stabilization when using a tripod. I had not turned it on, it was the default setting. And so I do this, and lo and behold, everything holds still! It was nice to see that this isse was not with my tripod or ball head, my honey has let me spend a lot lately and I am not so sure how patient he would be if I said, "Honey can I buy a Gimbal head now too?" (I'll do that later, after things wind down awhile from the latest 1800 dollar splurge!)
Now to me, to see such a living demonstration was really interesting stuff. And so now, I have had a very good lesson, on WHY they say to turn image stabilization OFF, when on a tripod!
The bad news is, it was already getting late, and by the time I figured out all this, as I was scratching my head for some time, and getting rather frustrated also, welp, I didn't have enough time to head where I wanted to shoot, so I am still anxious to actually take some shots with it, and hope to head to the Skagit County wildlife refuge with it tomorrow now.
Some other good news was I had no trouble using the autofocus with the CPL filter on, and it wasn't that bright out either. I had posted awhile ago asking about this, so I am glad to see I will be able to use it quite often.
Feb 22, 2015 19:18:41 #
steve_stoneblossom
Loc: Rhode Island, USA
Such a good feeling when a perceived problem is exposed as an easily remedied user error. And this will help you remember always to check going forward.
Feb 22, 2015 19:20:55 #
steve_stoneblossom wrote:
Such a good feeling when a perceived problem is exposed as an easily remedied user error. And this will help you remember always to check going forward.
Yep, I would have thought of it sooner, had I ever turned ON the stabilization, but it was brand new and was the default setting. I was just glad it wasn't a wobbly ball head, after I had done tons of research and chose what i did because it passed tests on locking things in place better than every other brand tested against, including some very expensive ones, and also has a very high capacity.
Feb 22, 2015 19:29:38 #
Feb 22, 2015 19:32:28 #
Feb 22, 2015 21:13:14 #
Feb 23, 2015 00:07:45 #
It's good that you had the forethought to check everything out before going out and maybe missing a once in a lifetime shot.
Feb 23, 2015 03:14:49 #
Erik_H wrote:
It's good that you had the forethought to check everything out before going out and maybe missing a once in a lifetime shot.
As it is, was so late I didn't get out for ANY shots, but I hate trouble shooting in the field when I am clueless what's going on. I like to ENJOY myself then :-)
I am not very tech savvy so, new gear is not automatic to me, I gotta figure it out first. I know WHAT I want to do but need a bit to figure out how the gear does it. Manuals are handy things, except to lug in the field.
Feb 23, 2015 07:56:45 #
Good for you! I'm betting your front cover shot can't be far behind?
Have fun.
Mike
Have fun.
Mike
Feb 23, 2015 09:00:33 #
I only turn it on when my shutter speed gets below 1/100 or so. On my normal lenses, on a 70 to 200 I will turn it on below 1/160.
Some times I think it can induce blur in the photos. Just my observations nothing scientific
Some times I think it can induce blur in the photos. Just my observations nothing scientific
Feb 23, 2015 09:42:53 #
I had a similar experience with an Olympus E-P1. We stopped at a Starbuck's and sat outside. I put the camera down on the solid table and took a few shots of people passing by. All of those shots were blurred as I had forgotten to turn off the IS.
Feb 23, 2015 09:55:16 #
Feb 23, 2015 10:31:51 #
londonfire
Loc: NY to NC
The explanation I always heard was that IS is always looking to correct shake/vibration and if it doesn't find any it will go looking for some and in that process it actually induces shake.
Feb 23, 2015 10:38:39 #
glgracephoto wrote:
I just had a great lesson on WHY they say to turn ... (show quote)
Yes I can see the IS being overlooked especially when in a hurry. Only a few allow IS on when tripod mounted.
Feb 23, 2015 10:49:58 #
glgracephoto wrote:
I just had a great lesson on WHY they say to turn ... (show quote)
I'm a Canon guy and this interests me because I own only one IS lens, my 18-55. I've not had such a problem on tripod or not.
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