Image stabilization on big glass on a tripod?

All I have seen so far indicates that IS is to be used handheld and
turned off when mounted on a tripod. But, if a 600mm f/4 lens is too
big to handhold then how is the IS function used when these big lenses
are mounted on a tripod?


Thanks,

Brian

From: Brian Stirling

All I have seen so far indicates that IS is to be used handheld and
turned off when mounted on a tripod.

This is wrong ... the Nikon VR and all except the first four Canon IS lenses
work fine on a tripod. They sense if it's very stable and squelch the VR/IS,
or use IS/VR if the tripod isn't perfectly stable. This is transparent to the
shooter.

But, if a 600mm f/4 lens is too
big to handhold then how is the IS function used when these big lenses
are mounted on a tripod?

Leave IS on (there are no VR lenses for comparable focal lengths) unless you're
using MLU. If shooting fast moving birds with a fast shutter speed you might
turn it off too since IS delays AF a slight bit.

Using IS is why Canon shooters can get sharp images with the 2x converter (ie,
1,200 mm @ f/8 on a light carbon fiber tripod), something you can't reliably do
with non-IS lenses. Also you often don't have the tripod head fully locked
down so you can follow motion if shooting an animal, for instance, so even on a
tripod IS is invaluable.

Bill

From: Brian Stirling

All I have seen so far indicates that IS is to be used handheld and
turned off when mounted on a tripod.

This is wrong ... the Nikon VR and all except the first four Canon IS lenses
work fine on a tripod. They sense if it's very stable and squelch the VR/IS,
or use IS/VR if the tripod isn't perfectly stable. This is transparent to the
shooter.

But, if a 600mm f/4 lens is too
big to handhold then how is the IS function used when these big lenses
are mounted on a tripod?

Leave IS on (there are no VR lenses for comparable focal lengths) unless you're
using MLU. If shooting fast moving birds with a fast shutter speed you might
turn it off too since IS delays AF a slight bit.

Using IS is why Canon shooters can get sharp images with the 2x converter (ie,
1,200 mm @ f/8 on a light carbon fiber tripod), something you can't reliably do
with non-IS lenses. Also you often don't have the tripod head fully locked
down so you can follow motion if shooting an animal, for instance, so even on a
tripod IS is invaluable.

Bill

"Brian Stirling" wrote in message
...
All I have seen so far indicates that IS is to be used handheld and
turned off when mounted on a tripod. But, if a 600mm f/4 lens is too
big to handhold then how is the IS function used when these big lenses
are mounted on a tripod?


Thanks,

Brian

One place it is useful is on a monopod. Those guys you see on the side
lines with those monster lenses aren't hand holding them, nor are they using
tripods.
Also on a tripod on less than stable surfaces like a bridge or dock.

--
Skip Middleton
http://www.shadowcatcherimagery.com

"Brian Stirling" wrote in message
...
All I have seen so far indicates that IS is to be used handheld and
turned off when mounted on a tripod. But, if a 600mm f/4 lens is too
big to handhold then how is the IS function used when these big lenses
are mounted on a tripod?


Thanks,

Brian

One place it is useful is on a monopod. Those guys you see on the side
lines with those monster lenses aren't hand holding them, nor are they using
tripods.
Also on a tripod on less than stable surfaces like a bridge or dock.

--
Skip Middleton
http://www.shadowcatcherimagery.com

"Brian Stirling" wrote in message
...
All I have seen so far indicates that IS is to be used handheld and
turned off when mounted on a tripod. But, if a 600mm f/4 lens is too
big to handhold then how is the IS function used when these big lenses
are mounted on a tripod?


Thanks,

Brian

One place it is useful is on a monopod. Those guys you see on the side
lines with those monster lenses aren't hand holding them, nor are they using
tripods.
Also on a tripod on less than stable surfaces like a bridge or dock.

--
Skip Middleton
http://www.shadowcatcherimagery.com

"Brian Stirling" wrote in message
...
All I have seen so far indicates that IS is to be used handheld and
turned off when mounted on a tripod. But, if a 600mm f/4 lens is too
big to handhold then how is the IS function used when these big lenses
are mounted on a tripod?

At that focal length, there is often movement even on a tripod--even if
slight.
The newer generations of IS will reduce even these tiny movements on a
tripod.

"Brian Stirling" wrote in message
...
All I have seen so far indicates that IS is to be used handheld and
turned off when mounted on a tripod. But, if a 600mm f/4 lens is too
big to handhold then how is the IS function used when these big lenses
are mounted on a tripod?

At that focal length, there is often movement even on a tripod--even if
slight.
The newer generations of IS will reduce even these tiny movements on a
tripod.