redfordl Loc: Carver,Ma.

I have the sx40 camera and was wondering are there any circumstances where IS is disabled. Some people use it all the time? Thanks for your help?

1941Buckeye Loc: home is Miami Co., Ohio

What is IS? Thanks

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

IS = Image Stabilisation. Image stabilization helps to steady the image projected back into the camera by the use of a "floating" optical element—often connected to a fast spinning gyroscope—which helps to compensate for high frequency vibration (hand shake for example) at these long focal lengths. Canon EF SLR lenses with image stabilization have a IS suffix after their name, Nikon uses the VR "Vibration Reduction" suffix on their image stabilised Nikkor lenses.

Typically, image stabilization can help you take handheld shots almost two stops slower than with image stabilization off. For example if you would require a shutterspeed of 1/500s to shoot a particular scene, you should be able to shoot at only 1/125s (4 times slower) with image stabilization. This is very useful when shooting moving subjects in low light conditions by panning and/or when using long focal lengths. (copied from a web article, so don't blast me for errors ;) ).

I use IS about 90% of the time if the lens on my camera has the option. The only time I don't is if my camera is mounted to my tripod.

Carioca

The only time you really need to have it turned off is when you have the camera steady on a tripod.

If your hands are pretty steady, you may not need it unless you're using full zoom. Try both and decide what works for you.

redfordl Loc: Carver,Ma.

thank you carioca and mwac for your usual good advice on matters relating to digital cameras in this case on IS. Will follow your advice. Thanks Again!!

1941Buckeye Loc: home is Miami Co., Ohio

Thanks MWAC for such a good explanation. I just can't wait to get home to my cameras. I have SO MUCH to learn, and so many wonderful people explaining

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

I've been told by people who should know what they are doing that it is hard on the IS mechanism to have it turned on while the camera is locked down on a tripod. This sort of makes sense to me as I can imagine the machine sort of fighting the tripod...but perhaps this is another photographer's wife tale...I don't really know. But I seldom use IS with the exception of situations where I can't really up the shutter speed or need to hand hold a slow shot. The IS in Canon L lenses seems to work well.

alienmurphy Loc: Alaska

Actually if you set the IS to the 'shoot only' mode it saves on battery life. When you leave IS full on all the time the camera is constantly stabilizing the camera and this is a drain on battery power. It only needs the IS when actually taking the shot. Thus the 'shoot only' option. This feature is available on your camera. And as other have said: turn IS completely off when on a tripod.

Your camera is a bridge camera (between point and shoot and a DSLR). You can't use a variety of lens. That's why the IS is in the camera.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Be sure to check you lens manual on this.

Some Nikon lenses are "tripod aware" so you don't need to turn off VR (that's what Nikon calls it) when using a tripod. I don't know about Sony but wouldn't be surprised to find that their more recent lenses compete on this.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I am 75 and 'NEED" the IS. In my "Bridge" camera - Panasonic Lumix FZ18 - I have the choice of IS on in two strength settings 1 or 2, I keep mine set at the highest level (2) all the time this truly cuts the need of a tripod in many many cases. Yes - I still use one when logic calls for it but as seldom as it is I find no need to ever turn off the IS. I have the camera set to turn it's self off after 30 seconds and never use the screen except to review my photos to save my batteries as well as I always shoot with the viewfinder for much better control on composition.
Harvey

1941Buckeye Loc: home is Miami Co., Ohio

Thanks again MWAC! You always answer clearly any qq I manage to run into! What a joy for me. And my doc said tomorrow I get to go home so I should get a Gob more of info to have and to dig out in my files!!

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Very important to turn your IS off while mounted on a tripod! This gets me every time! I am completely meticulous about my camera settings, but always fail to remember to turn IS off on the tripod... very frustrating. I probably need to put bright orange tape around my lens to remember.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I am trying to figure this out - why turn off this setting - does it go crazy and break somthing if it soes not get to funchion? How much battery could it posibly use?
This thread is the very first I have ever heard of that mentioned turning off the IS.
Harvey

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

There is a spinning gyroscope in the lens. I don't really care about battery life, but it can cause blur since the lens isn't perfectly still.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Wow - so this Image Stabiliser will de-stabilise a photo that does not need de-stablisation? Gotta see an unbiased comparison.
Proof in other words. - not doubting you - just never heard of this before.
Harvey