p.1 #1 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
I've seen this recommended a few times for the A7 series, but never with a reason why it's important. As someone relatively new to photography, that seems counterintuitive for some reason. Does it really make a difference concerning sharpness?
p.1 #2 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
Have you seen that recommendation lately or did it go back to several years ago? It was the case some 20 years or so ago but not now anymore although I am referring more to Canon IS or Nikon VR features built into older lenses. IBIS came about later; the first generation of the A7 didn't have it. Starting with the A7 II, I have not turned off the IBIS of any of my Sony cameras, like in the last 7-8 years or so whether on tripod or not. I have not seen any ill-effect from it.
p.1 #4 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
Thanks for clarifying. I had tried a few shots with it on and off and never noticed a difference, but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing some other reason or particular situation where it actually makes sense.
p.1 #5 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
I wasn't aware that there was a way to turn IBIS off.
If you can, and if it locks down the sensor, that would be good to do while driving 20 miles on a washboard dirt road.
p.1 #7 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
The IBIS might move to try and compensate for what should be non existent movement due to the tripod. This would be especially noticeable in longer exposures and cause lack of sharpness for still objects.
I forgot to turn off lens stabilization once shooting timelapse images with an a6400 on a still day and rock solid tripod. It caused slow drifting throughout the video that was definitely noticeable and had to be stabilized in post. I actually caught the error about 50% through and switched it off mid shoot and the drift stopped. You could say it was a controlled experiment, just not intentional. I don't know if this slow drift would have shown up in single images.
p.1 #8 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
Current models from many manufacturers specify to disable IBIS (SteadyShot) or OIS when using a tripod. The only products I know of that did not require you to manually disable stabilization were some select Canon lenses that were able to detect when to automatically disable it. The reason to do it is because all stabilization systems rely on constant gyroscopic movement. When you lock down the device on a tripod the stabilizing system continues trying to move. Since the camera/lens are no longer countering the IBIS/OIS movements, the stabilization system itself can introduce vibrations. It can create a feedback loop.
p.1 #11 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
TGPhotography wrote:
The IBIS might move to try and compensate for what should be non existent movement due to the tripod. This would be especially noticeable in longer exposures and cause lack of sharpness for still objects.
I forgot to turn off lens stabilization once shooting timelapse images with an a6400 on a still day and rock solid tripod. It caused slow drifting throughout the video that was definitely noticeable and had to be stabilized in post. I actually caught the error about 50% through and switched it off mid shoot and the drift stopped. You could say it was a controlled experiment, just not intentional. I don't know if this slow drift would have shown up in single images.
I can't comment on A7 series specifically....Show more →
This is broadly true. But as a minor point - which I think you're aware of, but I just want to stress it / expand on it - the a6400 does not have IBIS. The stabilization you refer to must have been in-lens stabilization, with a particular lens that has it.
I have used the A7Sii, A7Rii and a9 a fair bit. I will say that so far the only time I've seen softened or blurred images, with stabilization, on a tripod, was when I was using them in combination with a lens that did its own stabilization - the Batis 85, for what it's worth - and I think it was the lens' stabilization, not the sensor's, that did the harm. But of course I don't know that for sure, it could have been either or both. I just suspect that lens-based stabilization may be more prone to this kind of trouble - there is more weight of glass to move around, more room for feedback loops, etc.
I am usually thorough about turning off stabilization so my experience is not extensive. Nevertheless, I have sometimes forgotten to, and aside from the above example the results have not been harmed in any way I could notice. But I attribute this to good luck, rather than leaving stabilization on all the time being a good idea.
You may often get away with not turning off stabilization, while on a tripod. But it's never better for it to be on, and might be worse.
p.1 #12 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
I've noticed IBIS slowly drift when using long lenses, tripod mounted. I turn it off (using the OSS button on the lens) as soon as I see this happening.
p.1 #13 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
davev wrote:
I wasn't aware that there was a way to turn IBIS off.
If you can, and if it locks down the sensor, that would be good to do while driving 20 miles on a washboard dirt road.
The off setting doesn't power it down. The sensor will probably still move around a bit when set to off. It is just magnetism holding it centered.
The older mechanism Sony used on A-mount cameras prior to the A99II was powered off when disabled, but it used piezo electric linear actuators instead of magnets. Those also didn't allow rotation.
p.1 #14 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
In the last 12 months, I have tested several of my lenses, with the camera (A1) on a tripod and using a remote shutter, each time collecting 10 images with IBIS and 10 images with IBIS disabled. When selecting the best/sharpest of the resulting 20 images, I don't remember a case when disabling IBIS definitively resulted in better/best image quality. In fact, the differences were usually negligible to the point when selecting the sharpest image was about splitting hairs. I don't mean to make any claims, just stating my experience.
A somewhat related but trickier question which I wish I knew the right answer is about the selection of IS (from mode 1, 2, or 3) on the Sony 200-600 lens attached to A1. I am aware of the preferences of other users on this forum, but have not accumulated enough of my own experience yet since having acquired the lens last March.
p.1 #15 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
I have often forgotten to turn off IBIS when shooting on a tripod... remembering afterwards and then 'kicking myself' for being so forgetful. Funny thing is that those shots always turn-out to be razor sharp.
p.1 #18 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
Uncle Chip wrote:
Does anybody have a link to Sony’s recommendation to switch off IBIS when on a tripod, I have looked in the past and couldn’t find it,
It is in the user manuals (i.e. "Help Guide") for the a7RM3, a7RM4, a9, a9M2 and a1. Search for "tripod".
p.1 #19 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
It's very much the case that you should turn off IBIS (or lens stabilization when using lenses with internal stabilization) when shooting video on a tripod, because it can lead to strange lags when panning or tilting.
For stills, I've never noticed a difference so I don't bother.
p.1 #20 · Why is it recommended to turn off IBIS on Sony cameras when using a tripod?
Tarekith wrote:
I've seen this recommended a few times for the A7 series, but never with a reason why it's important. As someone relatively new to photography, that seems counterintuitive for some reason. Does it really make a difference concerning sharpness?
I believe the issue with using it on a tripod is that ibis is activated by partially pressing the shutter and in the immediate time after activation it could result in more blur while it stabilizes. People shooting off a tripod quite often don’t half press the shutter and this might result in the ibis activating while the image is being taken.
