IS or VR on a Wide Angle Lens
Oct 4, 2017 02:18:29 #
Is it useful or marketing hype? If the shutter speed should be at least equivalent to the focal length, doesn't it mean you can get by on slow shutter speeds anyway? What do you think?
Oct 4, 2017 02:28:36 #
Oct 4, 2017 02:54:03 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
On a wide angle lens, you could probably do without VR. Especially with a short range focal length. Anything up to 300mm+, I would prefer to have VR. There was a time when there was no such thing as VR.
Oct 4, 2017 05:43:07 #
Oct 4, 2017 05:55:17 #
I cannot speak on behalf of others but my opinion is that IS is much more useful in teles than it is with wide angles.
Oct 4, 2017 06:14:31 #
skingfong wrote:
Is it useful or marketing hype? If the shutter speed should be at least equivalent to the focal length, doesn't it mean you can get by on slow shutter speeds anyway? What do you think?
I suppose it's better to have it than not have it, but wide angles lenses don't generally go to the expense of VR.
Oct 4, 2017 06:38:17 #
Depending on how fast the lens is, an f/2.8 could get away without IS or VC or VR but an f/4 lens may benefit from it.
Oct 4, 2017 07:21:13 #
Oct 4, 2017 08:52:32 #
skingfong wrote:
Is it useful or marketing hype? If the shutter speed should be at least equivalent to the focal length, doesn't it mean you can get by on slow shutter speeds anyway? What do you think?
I do quite a bit of interior, existing light architectural work. My lens choice for this is the Tamron 15-30mm F2.8 VC lens, yes it has stabilization. It allows me to shoot hand held at 1/6 of a second on my D800E and get exceptional results. Often a tripod is impractical or just plain not allowed. I am doing a shoot inside the state capitol next Monday and no tripods allowed, flash is allowed but the natural light in there is unique so hand held is the best option. My stabilized Tamron will be getting a major workout, as will the new D850.
Is stabilization NEEDED in a wide angle? Generally not, but it comes in VERY handy when there is no other option.
Oct 4, 2017 09:25:12 #
I would get IS or VR for every lens. When I learned to shoot handguns many years ago, I had to learn conscience steadying techniques to hit the target. Now, when I’m using my camera with an IS lens, I can handhold to 1/15 sec and sometimes even slower. I stand with my feet apart and brace my left elbow against my rib cage, left hand holding the lens, a silly attempt to do a human tripod....but it works. I wouldn’t try it without IS or VR.
Oct 4, 2017 09:58:32 #
The IS on the EF 16-35 f/4L IS is magical. Unless shooting in pure dark, you can hand-hold without a tripod. I have an image in the gallery posted earlier this week that was captured indoors (ISO-5000), with camera held above my head at 1/13 at 35mm that never could have been captured hand-held without IS in that lens.
Oct 4, 2017 12:39:50 #
It was mentioned here someplace that a user with a new D850 noticed with the full image size of 100 Mb, even the smallest movement was apparent in images. His solution was to always use a tripod. Other reviewers have discounted that. Either way, VR would be critical.
Oct 4, 2017 12:46:15 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
The IS on the EF 16-35 f/4L IS is magical. Unless shooting in pure dark, you can hand-hold without a tripod. I have an image in the gallery posted earlier this week that was captured indoors (ISO-5000), with camera held above my head at 1/13 at 35mm that never could have been captured hand-held without IS in that lens.
Same with the OIS on my Fuji. It's so good that I can comfortably leave my tripod at home on a planned trip to France. I've done a few at 1/2 second with acceptable results.
Oct 4, 2017 12:46:47 #
skingfong wrote:
Is it useful or marketing hype? If the shutter speed should be at least equivalent to the focal length, doesn't it mean you can get by on slow shutter speeds anyway? What do you think?
You are right that it is not so much needed on wide angle lenses, when compared to longer focal length lenses, but that does not mean that it can't be of any help or being useful!
Oct 4, 2017 12:50:25 #
skingfong wrote:
Is it useful or marketing hype? If the shutter speed should be at least equivalent to the focal length, doesn't it mean you can get by on slow shutter speeds anyway? What do you think?
Regardless as to whether or not it will help, it can't hurt. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
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