Optical Stabilizer

[bobpringle]

On the sigma 18-200mm there is an Optical Stabilizer but the manual/leaflet that came with the lens says not to use it on a tripod. Anyone know why this is. Also how,why and when do you use lens lock?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[Syx]

There was a thread on this not so long ago. I think it had something to do with the fact that having zero shake on a tripod actually causes it some issues and results in poorer shots.
But that's just going from memory.

 

[CSB]

If you use the optical stabiliser on a tripod it can cause a feedback loop (whatever that is) so just switch it off when you tripod mount your camera. I only use the lens lock when I pack away my lens but its there to stop lens creep.

 

[matt_wright]

Use the lens lock when walking around with the camera round you shoulder, or even when it is in a bag. It stops the lens zooming by itself (at least thats why i use it on my lens)! The lens can start to 'creep' i beleive!

Matt

 

[jgs001]

The lens gets confused by there being no shake and the IS/OS kicks in. The moving optical component attempting to correct non existent movement causes all sorts of odd effects within the image. It took me a little while to work out what the odd grinding noise was and the odd jiggles in the resulting image on a 30s exposure at night.

 

[Marc]

OS (or IS/VR depending on brand) should only cause image problems on a tripod when using a slow shutter speed and even then probably only for exposures of 1 second plus. As said, lens lock is to prevent lens creep where the lens will extend when held downwards (My Sigma 50-500 is terrible for this!).

 

[bobpringle]

Thanks guys for your replies. Helped a lot

 

[rileydoggy]

i don't think any of the newer (canon) IS lenses suffer from this issue, but earlier ones when tripod mounted did cause problems and you were advised to switch IS off

 

[Marc]

i don't think any of the newer (canon) IS lenses suffer from this issue, but earlier ones when tripod mounted did cause problems and you were advised to switch IS off

I have heard that some of the newer lenses have a tripod setting just for this reason.

 

[-Rob-]

Is this the same when using a monopod which may suffer from some small movement?

 

[RichardC27]

I don't think it's as much of an issue with a monopod, as there will probably be a slight movement for the IS to compensate for. It has problems when there is absolutely no movement in the lens at all.