Image stabilisation with a tripod ?

Crotal Bell

Crotal Bell

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Hi all

I I heard a chap say that IS should be turned off when using a tripod as it's too still for the IS to operate and confuses the camera?
I have a Panasonic Lumix bridge camera, don't know if this applies to all cameras ?
 
Yes - always turn it off unless your camera is self-sensing. Even then, turning it off won't do any harm unless your tripod sucks.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Yes - always turn it off unless your camera is self-sensing. Even then, turning it off won't do any harm unless your tripod sucks.
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Thanks buddy, good to get the confirmation. I guess that's why photographers like heavy tripods, so they don't shudder in the breeze.
 
Crotal Bell said:
Hi all

I I heard a chap say that IS should be turned off when using a tripod as it's too still for the IS to operate and confuses the camera?
I have a Panasonic Lumix bridge camera, don't know if this applies to all cameras ?
Click to expand...
You might want to double check your user's manual to be sure. I don't know about your camera, but some lenses have a tripod vibration reduction mode, and some cameras say to leave it on, some say to turn it off.
 
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Winslowe said:
You might want to double check your user's manual to be sure. I don't know about your camera, but some lenses have a tripod vibration reduction mode, and some cameras say to leave it on, some say to turn it off.
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Thanks, the chap on the video was using my camera, he said turn it off with a tripod.
I'll see what the manual says but likely mine is a "turn off" with a tripod,
 
Gremlin said:
I never have IS turned on
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Nor do I, because I don't have it.
Crotal Bell said:
Thanks buddy, good to get the confirmation. I guess that's why photographers like heavy tripods, so they don't shudder in the breeze.
Click to expand...
Yes, heavy tripods actually work, although I remember that someone did some tests that shows that there are limits - something that is too solid can transmit environmental vibrations to the camera.

My ultra heavy old Manfrotto does a perfect job, but is far too large and heavy to actually carry around. Lightweight tripods do a pretty poor job, and the more leg sections there are, the worse their performance, it's all a matter of compromise.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Nor do I, because I don't have it.

Yes, heavy tripods actually work, although I remember that someone did some tests that shows that there are limits - something that is too solid can transmit environmental vibrations to the camera.

My ultra heavy old Manfrotto does a perfect job, but is far too large and heavy to actually carry around. Lightweight tripods do a pretty poor job, and the more leg sections there are, the worse their performance, it's all a matter of compromise.
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I'll try mine, but probably going to be too light.
 
I don't see any need to turn it off, you can still get vibration when on tripod especially if it is windy for example.
I hardly ever use one anyway though.
 
I think that the reasoning is that the camera is steady on a tripod but there could be atmospheric haze shimmer which causes the IS to try to compensate and confuses it.
 
We should probably post some examples of the terrible effects.
If any can be found.
 
Suvv said:
I think that the reasoning is that the camera is steady on a tripod but there could be atmospheric haze shimmer which causes the IS to try to compensate and confuses it.
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Possibly, I can't recall exactly what the photographer said, but is was something around the camera being so stable that the IS causes the opposite effect to what it's designed for, I guess the IS needs a bit of wobble or it over compensates? Or as you say, gets confused.
 
This is a good explanation from canon of their system:

Image Stabilisation

Learn about image stabilisation in lenses and cameras. Find out about how image stabilisation keeps the image static despite the movement of the camera.
www.canon.co.uk www.canon.co.uk

“Although an IS lens gives more opportunities for handheld shots, there will still be times when the support of a tripod is needed − with exposure times of several seconds, for example, or when you're working with heavy lenses.

With some of the earlier lenses, you needed to switch the IS off when using a tripod as the lack of movement confused the system and the image started to jump around the viewfinder. However, even when using a tripod, there can be some camera movement in high wind or with super telephoto lenses, which means the IS system can be invaluable. More recent IS lenses are able to detect the use of a tripod and automatically disable the IS, if necessary.

You should also leave the Image Stabilisation on when using a monopod, as it is unlikely you will be able to keep this type of support perfectly still”.
 
rob-nikon said:
This is a good explanation from canon of their system:

Image Stabilisation

Learn about image stabilisation in lenses and cameras. Find out about how image stabilisation keeps the image static despite the movement of the camera.
www.canon.co.uk www.canon.co.uk

“Although an IS lens gives more opportunities for handheld shots, there will still be times when the support of a tripod is needed − with exposure times of several seconds, for example, or when you're working with heavy lenses.

With some of the earlier lenses, you needed to switch the IS off when using a tripod as the lack of movement confused the system and the image started to jump around the viewfinder. However, even when using a tripod, there can be some camera movement in high wind or with super telephoto lenses, which means the IS system can be invaluable. More recent IS lenses are able to detect the use of a tripod and automatically disable the IS, if necessary.

You should also leave the Image Stabilisation on when using a monopod, as it is unlikely you will be able to keep this type of support perfectly still”.
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Thank you, I assumed a tripod would always be an advantage, so are you saying that for general picture taking you're just as well to hold the camera? As an example I have some Jackdaws I want to photograph that will be about 15-20 yards away, so just as well to be more mobile and get different shots by hand?
 
Crotal Bell said:
Thank you, I assumed a tripod would always be an advantage, so are you saying that for general picture taking you're just as well to hold the camera? As an example I have some Jackdaws I want to photograph that will be about 15-20 yards away, so just as well to be more mobile and get different shots by hand?
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I was replying to whether IS should be on or not. The issue is it’s very lens dependent. and there isn’t one definitive rule.

Regarding tripods it depends on the situation. For landscapes I often use a tripod but I could at times get away with not using it. For wildlife I often don’t use a tripod as being mobile is more helpful but sometimes do if I’m static for a while or using a heavy lens. One thing about tripods and wildlife is that you still need to have a higher shutter speed to freeze the movement of the subject. The biggest benefit of tripods is they allow slower shutter speeds. Another benefit is they also slow you down too so you can concentrate more on composition etc.
 
AFAIK all manufacturers recommend turning stabilisation off when shooting from a tripod. I've hardly ever bothered & even with 2006 stabilisation I've never noticed any problems.
However I've definitely seen problems when I've turned it off & forgotten it had to be turned on again.
 
rob-nikon said:
I was replying to whether IS should be on or not. The issue is it’s very lens dependent. and there isn’t one definitive rule.

Regarding tripods it depends on the situation. For landscapes I often use a tripod but I could at times get away with not using it. For wildlife I often don’t use a tripod as being mobile is more helpful but sometimes do if I’m static for a while or using a heavy lens. One thing about tripods and wildlife is that you still need to have a higher shutter speed to freeze the movement of the subject. The biggest benefit of tripods is they allow slower shutter speeds. Another benefit is they also slow you down too so you can concentrate more on composition etc.
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thanks for the added advice (as I wandered off topic)
 
Crotal Bell said:
Thank you, I assumed a tripod would always be an advantage, so are you saying that for general picture taking you're just as well to hold the camera? As an example I have some Jackdaws I want to photograph that will be about 15-20 yards away, so just as well to be more mobile and get different shots by hand?
Click to expand...

The advantage of a tripod is often not stability, but because it requires a different approach to picture taking. It makes the process slower, less spontaneous and potentially more thoughtful. It enables careful composition plus ensuring the camera is level and all the required elements are within the frame. There are times when it helps steady the camera during exposure, but probably not so often.

Some find the tripod an essential tool, while others find they just get in the way of the picture taking process. I find they can stifle my inspiration, but they work well for some.
 
I must admit I keep IS on when I'm using my tripod on my 150-600 as its just too weak and wobbly when the bottom leg extensions are fully extended as its pushing the limit of both the tripod and the ball head. However a 70-200, 35mm or anything else on the front and its IS off. I should really invest in a better tripod however I just don't use it enough to justify it.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Yes, heavy tripods actually work, although I remember that someone did some tests that shows that there are limits - something that is too solid can transmit environmental vibrations to the camera.
Click to expand...
They will all transmit vibrations unless they have some damping system in place which would be priced more in line with top level video cameras. Classic example would be standing on a busy bridge. You might not think of a bus driving past but believe it causes the bridge to vibrate enough to be felt and seen in the image.
Heavy tripod is not an automatic pass for a shap steady shot. A lot can happen apart from wind, like slight head movement, etc. Hence 2s delay with mirror release or live view and shielding from wind every single time
 
LongLensPhotography said:
They will all transmit vibrations unless they have some damping system in place which would be priced more in line with top level video cameras. Classic example would be standing on a busy bridge. You might not think of a bus driving past but believe it causes the bridge to vibrate enough to be felt and seen in the image.
Heavy tripod is not an automatic pass for a shap steady shot. A lot can happen apart from wind, like slight head movement, etc. Hence 2s delay with mirror release or live view and shielding from wind every single time
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At work I see vibrations from trains shunting, transmitted via hundreds of meters of normal earth. Trying to weigh anything is pointless even on a damped weighing table.
 
Petrochemist said:
AFAIK all manufacturers recommend turning stabilisation off when shooting from a tripod.
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Not at all... some of my Nikon lenses have a VR switch position/tripod mode for use specifically on a tripod. And many newer lenses will recognize that they are on a tripod (or similar) and switch to tripod mode or disable stabilization automatically.
4wd said:
We should probably post some examples of the terrible effects.
If any can be found.
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I've seen it, and posted the results here before... and others posted their similar results in that thread; but it's long dead and all images are broken/missing (ca 2015). The only conclusion I have made is that using stabilization when it's not needed *can* cause issues (high SS's, tripod, braced). But it is inconsistent at best and can be hard to distinguish from some other cause (no, I did not keep the images).

The one thing to know is that the CIPA standard for acceptable sharpness with stabilization is very low and equates to only ~ 20/80 vision... not that it matters much as long as the results are "better."
 
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Way too many variables with different camera makes and lenses, so what is good for one sytem will not necessarily work for another. I never use VR myself with the D500 and 200-500 yet others swear they use it at all speeds even though Nikon suggest not using it at higher ss. The best option is to suck it and see.
 
sk66 said:
Not at all... some of my Nikon lenses have a VR switch position/tripod mode for use specifically on a tripod. And many newer lenses will recognize that they are on a tripod (or similar) and switch to tripod mode or disable stabilization automatically.
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Disabled off automatically because that's what they recommend, I've known several cameras that do this & don't see it in any way detracts from a turn off policy.
I hadn't heard of the Nikon tripod VR option, what does it actually do?

My own experience is very much IBIS based, I've used bodies with stabilisation since ~2010, & it's in seven of my cameras, while I think I only have 2 or 3 lenses with optical stabilisation.
 
Petrochemist said:
Disabled off automatically because that's what they recommend, I've known several cameras that do this & don't see it in any way detracts from a turn off policy
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But some switch to tripod mode automatically as well
Petrochemist said:
I hadn't heard of the Nikon tripod VR option, what does it actually do?
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It focuses on small amplitude/high frequency motion (vibrations) rather than the relatively larger/slower handheld movements (wobbles/shake); i.e. the VR elements stay more centered. IDT it is exclusive to Nikon (?).
Lens based stabilization is still required with long FL/high magnification in order to be effective; because IBIS doesn't have the range of motion/speed required.
 
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