bwcolor wrote:
The X2D2 IBIS make a tripod just extra weight. I usually don’t use a tripod..
IBIS and other forms of image stabilization go a long ways toward reducing the need for a tripod to stabilize the camera in some situations, but…
1. IBIS reduces but does not eliminate camera motion when shooting handheld. In situations where shooting handheld is typical or even a necessity (street photography, etc.) it can make the image far more stable than if we did not use it, and for that it is a welcome addition.
2. For photography in which absolute image sharpness is critical (say landscape photogrpaphy, architectural photography and similar, where the ability to print large is needed) the tripod can consistently eliminate any blur from camera motion. Even with IBIS there will typically be some, and the consistency of results will be lowered. (You can certainly get some extremely sharp handheld photos with IBIS, but the percentage that aren’t that way increases.)
But that’s not the only plus to using a tripod:
1. It is extremely difficult to attend to all elements of a composition while hand holding the camera — what is happening at the edges of the frame, keeping the camera perfectly level, watching your subject for ideal timing, etc. With the camera on the tripod you can carefully and accurately lock in the composition, inspect the image carefully for issues, and hold the camera precisely in the position as you wait for the ideal moment to make the exposure.
2. With the camera on the tripod you can continue to make adjustments to camera settings without altering the composition. You have access ot all camera controls, to things like histogram displays on the rear screen, to magnifified manual focus, aperture rings (on some cameras) and so forth.
Using a tripod is not always better or appropriate, and it can seem cumbersome to drag the thing around and take the extra time to set it up and then stow it when you finish. But while IBIS definitely improves handheld photography, it does not eliminate the advantages of tripods in situations where using one makes sense.
Feb 20, 2026 at 10:37 AM
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