'IS' on a tripod?

Hallsy

Hallsy

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Andy
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Why is it that IS doesn't work when you are using a tripod? I had been told before that you should turn it off, but left it on when using a tripod earlier and the image could be seen to be shifting.

Why is this? Surely the same would happen if you had a rock steady stance/grip?

It's a Canon 55-250mm IS I'm using.
 
Its something to do with feedback, but I'm not entirely sure what. I have also been told that it only applies to older versions of IS, but again, not sure of the detail ( what makes something "old" etc ). Someone once said just put your hand firmly on the barrel and that makes it ok....but ???
 
The instruction sheet for your lens (you did read it right??) should tell you to have it switched off while the camera is supported (tripod/wall...) to save damaging the IS system.
 
Hallsy said:
Why is it that IS doesn't work when you are using a tripod? I had been told before that you should turn it off, but left it on when using a tripod earlier and the image could be seen to be shifting.

Why is this? Surely the same would happen if you had a rock steady stance/grip?

It's a Canon 55-250mm IS I'm using.
Click to expand...

the IS system is expecting movement and so using it on a tripod just confuses the electronics as it tries to stabilise and already stable image, this then induces a movement in whatever you are shooting!
 
cherryrig said:
I was thinking why would you have it turned on when you have it on a tripod??

Makes no sense?!
Click to expand...
When using something like a 500mm lens even on a tripod you will get vibration, I always leave it on,some Canon IS lenses are ok on tripods but the 100-400 is not one of them.
 
I had left in ON accidentally, I had read in the manual to leave it off.

My point is that my understanding of how it works is that it has a g sensor inside which senses movement, and so sends a signal to the lens servo or whatever moves it, to move it in the opposite direction to counteract.

With a static situation like on a tripod, the only thing the g sensor would sense would be g itself, the pull of gravity - but this would be the same if you had a rock steady grip.

I suppose in theory there is always some movement when handheld and it relies on constantly counteracting.
 
Don't know if this makes sense, On my 100-400 If left the IS on while on the tripod and using the centre point in the viewfinder you can set the point bang on the subject, half press to focus then you can actually watch the centre point move slightly off the subject. Its like you've nudged the tripod, Took me by surprise the first time I did it, I thought the lens had went wonky.
I suppose this is the reason you should switch it off on a tripod.
 
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