NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

I always see on here ,My manual and in books that I should turn off IS when using a tripod I have looked for a reason although not very hard and have not found one

edgorm Loc: Rockaway, New York

IS uses a circuit very much like an accelerometer to find and counteract unwanted camera movement. If used in a situation where there is none, as on a tripod, it can actually create camera shake.

Leitz Loc: Solms

I've left VR on a couple of times when on the tripod, and as far as I know there is no warrant for my arrest (yet).

TucsonCoyote Loc: Tucson AZ

Key word...."Yet" :XD:

Carlo Loc: Maryland, NW.Chesapeake Bay

Battery power used to make IS work is unnecessary when on tripod ...so why have if on if it is not functioning and draining power.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

The lens will search for vibration, and when it finds its own it will try to stop itself. Perpetual motion.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

The reason is, because you always see it here, it's in your manual and in books, and because you obviously don't shoot with a Canon, or you could leave it ON!! :lol: :lol:
SS

NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

Ah butt Sharpshooter I do shoot with Canon was just curious to find the reason behind it . And thanks to Hoggers I do. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

@SharpShooter....Oops! :wink: :D

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

It can also slow down AF according to some tests.
You also turn it off when using very fast shutter speeds, it isn't needed, the shutter speed does the same job, like in the old days before IS was even invented.

So, if on a tripod you don't need it, and it can create problems trying to correct movement that isn't there. At high shutter speeds you don't need it.

It is mainly for hand held shooting at low shutter speeds.

Oh, I read one article that said it can also try to correct movement when you are panning with a tripod.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Norman, ok, you got me. I apologize for merely being a smart A$$, but hey, it's not my fault, it's was congenital! :lol:
Norman, seriously, there are ONLY 4 of the older first generation Canon lenses for which the IS needs to be turned off. Those 4 can develope what is called, " shake return".
But, all of the newer Canon lenses have built-in tripod sensing. The IS does not turn off but simply starts to correct for low level vibrations.
Reasons to turn IS off...., as Robert stated, it could slow the AF slightly but you'd probably never notice. Also it will draw unnecessarily from the battery, but again it's very negligable. If you shoot on Bulb mode, you might see some movement if it were trying to correct during the actual long exposure. If you shoot video, IS should be off as the noise of the IS motors might make its way into the soundtrack. Canon IS is designed to not shake-return on a tripod. Could it happen, anything is possible but it shouldn't. Now, also I speak ONLY of Canon IS. Most other brands are not near as sophisticated as Canon and cannot auto sense a tripod. So if you use ANY other brand consult with that brands tech.
As Robert stated, at high shutter speeds, IS simply becomes vestigial, so you can leave it on or turn it off, up to you!
So Norman, there you have it. It's just one more reason to shoot with a Canon. There is a lot of misconception about IS, mainly because most other brands require that it be off, so it's automatically assumed that every brand is the same. They are NOT! Norman, good luck with you Canon gear! :thumbup:
SS

photon56 Loc: North America

What I have noticed is when the camera is hand held and the focus button is engaged, the stability mechanism inside the lens is activated. This takes time and allows you to compose your shot and then release the shutter. On a tripod and remotely releasing the shutter, the camera will not wait for the stabilizing technology to lock on. While stabilizer is in motion inside the lens, the shutter is released. This "can" cause blurred photos. If it isn't remotely released, then you still have control over how long to wait for the image to look right before releasing the shutter.

My two cents...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That seems like something that will be corrected in future versions of VR. It's like a spoiled brat. If there's no vibration, and it has nothing to do, it will move around and ruin the shot.

Grand Loc: Lebanon, Pa

Good point.