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Archive 2014Image stabilization off or on for BIF
p.1 #1Image stabilization off or on for BIF
I've heard two trains of thought on this but haven't researched it much. There are so many great bird photographers on this sight I thought you might have some good insight. Should I have my IS turned off or on when photographing birds in flight?
Jan 24, 2014 at 02:30 PM
p.1 #2Image stabilization off or on for BIF
I leave mine on all the time.
-Tim
-Tim
Jan 24, 2014 at 02:31 PM
p.1 #3Image stabilization off or on for BIF
tfoltz wrote:
I leave mine on all the time.
-Tim
Tim: I have always kept mine on as well. But when I go to many of the tutorials on BIF, I see things such as this:
"If your camera has built in Image Stabilization (IS) you’ll want to turn it off. Image Stabilization (IS) is a feature that helps the user take pictures in low light with slow shutter speeds. At a shutter speeds above 1/500s, IS only serves to slow down the camera’s autofocus speed."
"Turn the Image Stabilizer (IS) or Vibration Reduction (VR) of the lens off. Most people think that the best setting is to leave the image stabilizer on and to set it to panning mode. However the image stabilizer slows down the auto focus system, and faster auto focus is more important than image stabilization, especially at shutter speeds of 1/500s and faster."
I leave mine on all the time.
-Tim
Tim: I have always kept mine on as well. But when I go to many of the tutorials on BIF, I see things such as this:
"If your camera has built in Image Stabilization (IS) you’ll want to turn it off. Image Stabilization (IS) is a feature that helps the user take pictures in low light with slow shutter speeds. At a shutter speeds above 1/500s, IS only serves to slow down the camera’s autofocus speed."
"Turn the Image Stabilizer (IS) or Vibration Reduction (VR) of the lens off. Most people think that the best setting is to leave the image stabilizer on and to set it to panning mode. However the image stabilizer slows down the auto focus system, and faster auto focus is more important than image stabilization, especially at shutter speeds of 1/500s and faster."
Jan 24, 2014 at 02:34 PM
p.1 #4Image stabilization off or on for BIF
I leave the IS always on, even with birds IF. It clearly doesn't stop motion, but it gives me a steadier images on the viewfinder which makes it easier to gain focus, to follow the bird and to maintain focus tracking. In other words more pics in focus.
Socrate
Socrate
Jan 24, 2014 at 02:44 PM
p.1 #5Image stabilization off or on for BIF
For me IS is instrumental for flight shots when handholding a large lens such as the 600mm. The reason is to stabilize the finder for good tracking and also stabilizing the image that is projected on the AF sensor.
make sure you use IS mode 2 while panning.
make sure you use IS mode 2 while panning.
Jan 24, 2014 at 02:58 PM
p.1 #6Image stabilization off or on for BIF
I leave mine on all the time.
Tim
Tim
Jan 24, 2014 at 03:01 PM
p.1 #7Image stabilization off or on for BIF
What about the argument "experts" are making that it slows down the auto-focus speed? Is there any truth to their statements?
I've accidentally left mine off several times and couldn't say for sure one way or the other what difference it made.
I've accidentally left mine off several times and couldn't say for sure one way or the other what difference it made.
Jan 24, 2014 at 03:23 PM
p.1 #8Image stabilization off or on for BIF
I would say to answer your question is to try some in-flights with and without the IS on on some Gulls or something easy to find and photograph in-fight.
I've turned the IS off on my 500mm once in 3 years of owning it and I used to shoot a lot of in-flights and never noticed a focus speed issue or a sharpness issue by leaving it on.
I've turned the IS off on my 500mm once in 3 years of owning it and I used to shoot a lot of in-flights and never noticed a focus speed issue or a sharpness issue by leaving it on.
Jan 24, 2014 at 03:37 PM
p.1 #9Image stabilization off or on for BIF
Keiththom wrote:
What about the argument "experts" are making that it slows down the auto-focus speed? Is there any truth to their statements?
I've accidentally left mine off several times and couldn't say for sure one way or the other what difference it made.
I'm with Duane on that. I've never noticed any reduced AF speed with the IS on. If in fact if there is such a AF speed reduction it must be so subtle that doesn't really makes any difference in the real world.
Socrate
Edited on Jan 24, 2014 at 04:39 PM · View previous versions
What about the argument "experts" are making that it slows down the auto-focus speed? Is there any truth to their statements?
I've accidentally left mine off several times and couldn't say for sure one way or the other what difference it made.
I'm with Duane on that. I've never noticed any reduced AF speed with the IS on. If in fact if there is such a AF speed reduction it must be so subtle that doesn't really makes any difference in the real world.
Socrate
Edited on Jan 24, 2014 at 04:39 PM · View previous versions
Jan 24, 2014 at 04:00 PM
p.1 #10Image stabilization off or on for BIF
Keiththom wrote:
What about the argument "experts" are making that it slows down the auto-focus speed? Is there any truth to their statements?
I've accidentally left mine off several times and couldn't say for sure one way or the other what difference it made.
No, there is no such effect on AF.
What about the argument "experts" are making that it slows down the auto-focus speed? Is there any truth to their statements?
I've accidentally left mine off several times and couldn't say for sure one way or the other what difference it made.
No, there is no such effect on AF.
Jan 24, 2014 at 04:29 PM
p.1 #11Image stabilization off or on for BIF
Seems often that most 'experts' are never out in the field using equipment that on paper they evaluate.
You are getting answers from some of the finest shooters on the forum, the choice is yours and it is simple, on or off
You can shoot birds in flight with good technique with any lens, even manual focus lenses.............it's more about you than technology at times. Don't fret over milliseconds of AF speed, there are a ton of other variables that come into play.
Karl
You are getting answers from some of the finest shooters on the forum, the choice is yours and it is simple, on or off
You can shoot birds in flight with good technique with any lens, even manual focus lenses.............it's more about you than technology at times. Don't fret over milliseconds of AF speed, there are a ton of other variables that come into play.
Karl
Jan 24, 2014 at 04:36 PM
p.1 #12Image stabilization off or on for BIF
Keiththom wrote:
What about the argument "experts" are making that it slows down the auto-focus speed? Is there any truth to their statements?
I've accidentally left mine off several times and couldn't say for sure one way or the other what difference it made.
I would question who the "experts" are. You asked the experts, the experts in my eyes, and they responded
Tim
What about the argument "experts" are making that it slows down the auto-focus speed? Is there any truth to their statements?
I've accidentally left mine off several times and couldn't say for sure one way or the other what difference it made.
I would question who the "experts" are. You asked the experts, the experts in my eyes, and they responded
Tim
Jan 24, 2014 at 05:09 PM
p.1 #13Image stabilization off or on for BIF
I personally have always used it on. I was just surprised by the sites that argued against it's use. I hope I didn't come across as arguing for or against. I certainly wasn't trying to.
I shot BIF with manual focus and film most of my life. I only got into digital about 5 months ago. It is still amazing to me what advantages there are now over what we had all those years ago. The kind of shots I see here regularly, were once in a lifetime shots then. But catching up on the technology is daunting for an old guy.
I shot BIF with manual focus and film most of my life. I only got into digital about 5 months ago. It is still amazing to me what advantages there are now over what we had all those years ago. The kind of shots I see here regularly, were once in a lifetime shots then. But catching up on the technology is daunting for an old guy.
Jan 24, 2014 at 05:21 PM
p.1 #14Image stabilization off or on for BIF
The guys that argue against don't shoot BIF, or pan sports. You've heard from
some of the monster shooters on FM, and I'll throw in my Nikon twice cents.
No slouch in the BIF arena myself...VR is usually on if the lens is so equipped.
Steadies the image in the VF and I've yet to see a negative impact on the AF.
Unlike Canon, the older Nikon bodies only activate the VR on a 1/2 depress of
the shutter button. AF is already locked on with rear button focus, this saves
on battery drain and gives you better control of comp., JUST before the shot.
Sadly Nikon's changed the newer releases: activate VR on the rear button AF
as well as shutter 1/2 depress. Fortunately for me...I've hung onto 4 of them
that don't. I teach BIF to mostly my kind (the darkside) and the early success
rate employing VR is truly remarkable. So believe those who get the shots NOT
those who preach turning off IS/VR/OS etc. @ a SS of >1/500th sec. Believe!!
100% crop handheld SOOC
Edited on Jan 24, 2014 at 06:38 PM · View previous versions
some of the monster shooters on FM, and I'll throw in my Nikon twice cents.
No slouch in the BIF arena myself...VR is usually on if the lens is so equipped.
Steadies the image in the VF and I've yet to see a negative impact on the AF.
Unlike Canon, the older Nikon bodies only activate the VR on a 1/2 depress of
the shutter button. AF is already locked on with rear button focus, this saves
on battery drain and gives you better control of comp., JUST before the shot.
Sadly Nikon's changed the newer releases: activate VR on the rear button AF
as well as shutter 1/2 depress. Fortunately for me...I've hung onto 4 of them
that don't. I teach BIF to mostly my kind (the darkside) and the early success
rate employing VR is truly remarkable. So believe those who get the shots NOT
those who preach turning off IS/VR/OS etc. @ a SS of >1/500th sec. Believe!!
100% crop handheld SOOC
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Edited on Jan 24, 2014 at 06:38 PM · View previous versions
Jan 24, 2014 at 06:06 PM
p.1 #15Image stabilization off or on for BIF
Yep, agree with everyone else. VR is never off on my 600mm. It's essential for steadying the subject in the viewfinder to lock on focus.. even when supported on a monster Gitzo with Wimberly head.
Jan 24, 2014 at 06:17 PM
p.1 #17Image stabilization off or on for BIF
I shot for years with non-is lenses. first the 400 F5.6L, then the older 500 F4.5L. I didn't have a problem getting IF shots without IS, but I think my keeper rate is a bit higher using IS ~ Ron
Jan 24, 2014 at 07:55 PM