Canon’s Image Stablization Innovation

[Richard CR]

This article looks through Canon's history and innovation in the realm of image stabilization. So sit down, grab a coffee, because this is a long article. Canon’s image stabilization (IS) systems have transformed photography and videography, delivering sharp images and smooth footage despite camera shake or motion. From optical to digital solutions, Canon has crafted […]

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[Old Man FL/FD]

Great, comprehensive post – thanks!

Anyone out there has IS issues when mounted on a tripod?

Way back, the white L telephoto lenses with IS, when mounted on a tripod with IS enabled, ‘oscillated’ as the IS sensor would be in a ‘dead zone’ with no movement detected. This was fixed in latter versions of these lenses.

Recently, on an indoor existing light tripod setup, I had an issue with IS on with my EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro lens. I used mirror lock and self-timer on my 1DX II. Stopping down several stops from wide open (with correspondingly longer exposure times) yielded decidedly increased blur – way more than diffraction effects. I thought perhaps some minor vibration in my floor was causing the increased blur with longer exposure times. I always walk away from the tripod during the 10-second self-timer countdown. Experimenting with turning off the mirror lock, self-timer and IS determined IS was the culprit.

Perhaps the EF L Macro lens’ ‘hybrid’ IS does not like to be mounted on a tripod?

 

[neuroanatomist]

Perhaps the EF L Macro lens’ ‘hybrid’ IS does not like to be mounted on a tripod?

Most lenses with IS should have it turned off when using a tripod. Newer lenses detect tripod mounting (based on a lack of motion) and disable IS. I don’t know how that works with adapted lenses on R bodies, and I don’t think the IS system on the EF 100L Macro is tripod-sensing anyway.

As a general rule, IS should be turned off when on a tripod. The exception is with Canon’s supertele lenses depending on the model, e.g. the IS system of the 300/400/500/600 MkII and the MkIIIs of the 400/600 lenses can mitigate mirror slap on a DSLR.

 

[Old Man FL/FD]

...As a general rule, IS should be turned off when on a tripod...

Thanks for your reply to my post – now I know!

For me, experience through mistakes speeds up the ‘muscle memory’ process.