Jim Bianco

Do you use image stabilization when you use a monopod? Thanks Jim Bianco

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

Yes

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

On - yes

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Absolutely.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Yes

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Sometimes, but not always.

Jim Bianco

Thanks to all. I never used a monopod before, I just purchased one, I just wanted to make sure.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

Go to You tube and look for "how to use monopod" for tips and best practices

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

[quote=Jim Bianco]Do you use image stabilization when you use a monopod? Thanks Jim Bianco[/quote

I don't use a monopod for stability - I only use one when I am carrying a heavy lens all day long at a sporting event or concert. It saves my arms.

I usually lift the lens (and attached monopod) to take my shots, then let the monopod do it's thing in between shots.

For me, VR/OS/IS is superior to a monopod up to about 1/500 sec. At shorter shutter speeds I am fine with just hand holding. If I know ahead of time that I will be shooting in really crappy light, AND it is not a sporting event where I need faster shutter speeds, I will use a tripod with either a gimbal or ball head, and no stabilization.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

No I don't, the monopod is my image stabilization at that point!

GregoryF Loc: Bella Vista, AR

Yes

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

A monopod helps stabilize, but doesn't do the job completely. A monopod gives good stabilization vertically, but not horizontally. You should use IS when using a monopod. Some cameras detect a stable image (like when your camera is mounted on a tripod) and automatically turn off the IS when a tripod is detected. This eliminates the need to turn it off manually and, if you are stable enough on a monopod, it should shut it off for you.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Always.

I've been using various IS lenses for over 15 years and I hardly ever turn it off... some lenses I even have the switch taped over to prevent accidentally turning it off.

BEWARE getting advice about image stabilization... People with a different system than yours are likely to reply and their stabilization is probably different.

Each stabilization system.... Canon IS, Nikon VR, Sony OSS, Sigma OS, Tamron VC.... is patented by its manufacturer. Although the purpose of in-lens stabilization and general principles are the same, there are bound to be some difference in how they perform.

For example, a lot of people using Nikon VR tend to turn it off whenever they can because they feel it slows autofocus a bit.

Personally, using around a dozen different Canon IS lenses extensively over the years, I feel the opposite is true with them.... that, if anything, IS helps AF perform better. As a result, I see no reason to turn it off!

A few Canon IS lenses require it be turned off when used "on a tripod"... four discontinued models and one that's still in production (the EF 300mm f/4L IS USM). With these particular lenses, if they are locked down on a tripod (or used in any way that prevents any and all movement), the IS can go into sort of a feedback loop where it actually causes movement and "shake blur" in images. I've used several copies of two lens models with that type of IS. You can see the IS "freaking out" with rapid movements in your viewfinder (not to be confused with slower "image drift" that's common with all optical stabilization systems). The lenses of this type I had and still have lend themselves to hand held shooting... maybe a monopod with the 300mm.... so I've never had any problem leaving IS on.

All Canon manuals tell you to turn off IS when using the lens on a tripod. However, I've confirmed with Canon techs that this is only suggested to save battery power, since IS draws a little. But, having used IS lenses alongside non-IS lenses often, I don't think it draws very much power. Besides, the lenses that "sense" lack of movement and turn off IS automatically will accomplish the same power savings.

All this pertains to Canon IS.... I have no idea if any of it is relevant to other image stabilization systems.

Jim Bianco

Thanks for all your replies.

pnittoly Loc: Mountainside, New Jersey

Does anyone have the definitive answer if VR slows autofocus on a Nikon camera ?