Gimbal heads - lens image stabilization on or off? I know that when we lock our cameras on a tripod, lens image stabilization should be turned off. What about if the lens is on a...

CO

I know that when we lock our cameras on a tripod, lens image stabilization should be turned off. What about if the lens is on a gimbal head? Should lens image stabilization be on because of the panning and tilting motion? What do UHH members do when using a gimbal head?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Gimbal or Pan/Tilt, if the tripod is locked down, IS should be off. If the adjustments are free to move, IS should be on.
--Bob

CO wrote:

I know that when we lock our cameras on a tripod, lens image stabilization should be turned off. What about if the lens is on a gimbal head? Should lens image stabilization be on because of the panning and tilting motion? What do UHH members do when using a gimbal head?

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

CO wrote:

I know that when we lock our cameras on a tripod, lens image stabilization should be turned off. What about if the lens is on a gimbal head? Should lens image stabilization be on because of the panning and tilting motion? What do UHH members do when using a gimbal head?

There is no set answer, depends upon the lens. Some have tripod settings. See your lens manual.

Bill_de Loc: US

RWR wrote:

There is no set answer, depends upon the lens. Some have tripod settings. See your lens manual.

--

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

With Canon, always on, no matter how it’s used!
SS

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

SharpShooter wrote:

With Canon, always on, no matter how it’s used!
SS

Does that mean Canons don’t matter?

HT

If the lens has a tripod mode, I turn it on to that mode. If the lens does not have a tripod mode, or I’m using a fast shutter speed, then VR/IS is set to “off”.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

Wrong Bob, with Canon "IS on" gives you the advantage of vibration protection especially from the shutter. The IQ built into the system automatically recognizes a tripod when it is stationary and locked down... it could be different with Nikon perhaps ;)

rmalarz wrote:

Gimbal or Pan/Tilt, if the tripod is locked down, IS should be off. If the adjustments are free to move, IS should be on.
--Bob

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

Read the owners manual; call the manufacturer; get the correct answer from the source.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Howard5252 wrote:

Read the owners manual; call the manufacturer; get the correct answer from the source.

pahtspix

From my own personal experience with my Nikon D500 and a Tamron 150-600 G2 mounted to a gimbal head, I just leave my VC set on #3 all the time....GREAT results with this setting since I've purchased this equipment over a year and a half ago..I also use VC #3 for hand held shots as well!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I agree with Bob, IS should be off. I have forgotten at times to switch it off and with modern lenses I have not seen the difference.
By the way, not all IS were created equal. Some manufacturers make them better than others.

aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM

CO wrote:

I know that when we lock our cameras on a tripod, lens image stabilization should be turned off. What about if the lens is on a gimbal head? Should lens image stabilization be on because of the panning and tilting motion? What do UHH members do when using a gimbal head?

What would hope or expect that IS/VR/etc. would do? If you are panning and tilting to track something, do you want the lens to be wandering off on its own, or do you wan the lens to stay with your pans? If you're on a gimbal, you don't need stabilization to steady the image in the viewfinder. To my mind the answer is clearly 'off'. It would gain you nothing, but might well cause you grief -- some lenses more than others.

(Stabilization doesn't track your subject. It has no idea what the subject is. Stabilization is just trying to even out the small bumps and wiggles. Your gimbal should already be doing that for you.)

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

CO wrote:

I know that when we lock our cameras on a tripod, lens image stabilization should be turned off. What about if the lens is on a gimbal head? Should lens image stabilization be on because of the panning and tilting motion? What do UHH members do when using a gimbal head?

Always turn it off, no matter what support it is on, as well when I do shoot any action hand held!

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

CO wrote:

I know that when we lock our cameras on a tripod, lens image stabilization should be turned off. What about if the lens is on a gimbal head? Should lens image stabilization be on because of the panning and tilting motion? What do UHH members do when using a gimbal head?

My gimbal never gets locked down and stabilization is off. If you routinely lock down the Gimbal might as well be using a ball head.

No issues with sharpness.