Based on a careful viewing of
1139 images taken with the R6 + Rf 50mm 1.2, I am seeing only negligible differences between IBIS on and off at shutter speeds from 1/250th to 1/1000th. (And, yes, I'm seeing big help from IBIS at 1/60th to 1/125th.)
I was standing four feet from the target. All shots at f/5.6.
Using only EFCS, I took four main sets of shots for shutter speeds from 1/60th to 1/2000th: 1) IS on, Servo AF 2) IS off, Servo AF 3) IS on, One Shot AF 4) IS off, One Shot AF, on a tripod
Within each main set of shots, I took four subsets of shots: Single, Low Speed, High Speed, and High Speed+. I was curious about whether IBIS was behaving differently when mashing the shutter button for each shot than for holding it down for bursts. I saw no significant differences. The few I did see, and they were very subtle, suggest that IBIS, for my own brand of hand shake, seems to improve
slightly near the end of a burst
, but I did not take nearly enough shots to be sure, and, in my opinion, this has to do with my technique (or lack of!).
How many burst shots did I take? Good question. Of course with Single and Low Speed, I could just count to five. With High Speed I had to time it, and I was probably getting 5-6 shots most bursts. With High Speed+, no way could I do anything but guess that I had passed five shots--and then try to let go asap.
Since I don't see any significant difference in any of the drive modes, and since I can't find a way in DPP to sort by drive mode, I'm not going to take the time to use ratings or colors, etc. for this. If I had seen differences, I'd make the effort.
One thing I've confirmed regarding my own style of shooting: When I am standing still, and the subject is still, I do better with Servo AF enabled. I don't think this has anything to do with IBIS. One reason I plunged into mirrorless after buying the R was because of how amazing Servo AF is for very shallow depth of field, for consistently nailing the sharpest shots I've ever gotten with handheld, and I just assumed it was because I tend to sway a bit as I shoot, and the Servo AF was making micro compensations. Any thoughts?
So where does this leave me? I am definitely going to take some shots with an RF zoom that has lens IS. I've done a lot of shots with one lens, but not nearly enough for statisticians. If I had seen any kind of a trend with the prime, I'd plan to do the exact same sets with an Rf zoom, but now I'm balancing what I might learn against work and family life. (Very busy, as are many CR members, I imagine, with things other than the gear aspects of life!)
I'm planning to use the Rf 70-200mm at a longer focal length next. Should I just go with 200mm because it needs more stabilization than shorter focal lengths? I don't really have time,
unless I see an issue, to try at various focal lengths. And I also plan to discard two main sets: 3) IS on, One Shot, and 4) IS Off, One Shot, on a tripod. This is because what I really want to see is how IBIS is working with
handheld shots, and, as mentioned above, I just leave AF Servo enabled when handholding. On a tripod, I go with one shot, and I turn off IBIS. Just habit.
I do have three ef lenses to choose from: ef 100mm 2.8L IS, ef 35mm f/1.4 II, and ef 135mm f/2.
I've learned a few things so far for sure: Don't jump to conclusions, but be open minded when somebody is describing an issue. Also, it is very time consuming to do proper tests, and they take some careful thought to set up. And presenting the findings in a clear, convincing way is also a challenge.
And what do I do with all my sample shots? Cherry-pick a few to show my target? As there is, to my eyes, no significant differences with the rf 50mm f/1.2, the shots reveal nothing beyond what I've stated here.
Attached are just a couple as examples, both taken at 1/400th, what I was apparently imagining to be in the problematic range.
Now I understand this is a bit of an anticlimax, and some here are going to want full and better tests for more lenses, but anybody with an R6 (or an R5) would learn a lot by setting up their own tests! And I welcome any suggestions regarding streamlining!
I'll see what happens with the zoom with lens IS. And I will also do one of the ef lenses.