Image Stabilizer on 70-200 2.8 for Basketball

[CDD28]

I know the rule is if you're using a high shutter speed you don't need IS, but I'm wondering if basketball photographers are generally using IS on the 70-200 2.8?

I used to always have it in mode 2 but this season I've tried using it without IS on. During a game, I'll turn it off and on to experiment but the results have been really inconclusive. Sometimes I'm getting an amazingly razor sharp image with it on where you can see individual eyelashes at 100%, other times I'm getting exactly what I'd get if it were off -- slightly burred at 100% but certainly still sharp.

I'm just wondering if the guys shooting pro games without strobes generally have IS on or if. Is there any downside to just keeping it on and on mode 2? I should mention this is with the 1DX. My usual settings are 1/800, 2.8, ISO somewhere between 4000-8000.

 

[gqllc007]

I am no pro just a Dad who takes pics at his sons high school basketball games. Anyways I use the 24-70 2.8L MkII and the 70-200 2.8L Mk II. I have found that with the IS off my results are better...not much but slightly. I also use 500-800 f/2.8 and ISO 6400-12000 I am using a 7DmkII and have found that I much prefer the pics from the 24-70 as I stand just off to the side of the basket so I am looking for close up action. I also always set a custom white balance prior to shooting. My biggest issue is dealing with the noise and some out of focus. I tried 500 f/4 and liked the DOF results this past Saturday. Anyways when I did use IS it was in mode 2..The IS is suppose to help the camera shake and not the motion blur of the erratic moving subject of basketball....that is my thought although I certainly could be wrong

 

[JackK5]

I always figured IS is for my shake not the subject, so in theory IS doesn't do much when shooting sports where we are shooting at higher shutter speeds. I think it does help some, because we are moving the camera around following the action. My understanding of Mode 2 is that it is for panning only controlling vertical camera shake, with nothing to do with subject movement. I just leave mine turned on.
Most pro basketball games are shot with strobes mounted in the building, with radio triggers distributed to the shooters.

 

[Deleted member 91053]

Interested in your observations.
Personally I have turned off the IS on my 4 IS lenses (24-105, 70-200 F2.8, 300 F2.8 and 800 F5.6) and am preferring the results. I am getting quicker AF acquisition and improved tracking - especially on the 300 F2.8 and 800mm. This has resulted in a slightly higher keeper rate, not much but worth it IMO and you always have IS in reserve - just in case!