To Stabilize or not to Stabilize

Canon 500 mm on a tripod with a gimbol head tightened so it can be moved but not without some degree of effort. Do you use stabilize or not.

Thanks

If you have a tripod you turn OFF the stabilization, but be sure and turn it back on when not on the tripod, Jeff

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Originally Posted by Grandpaw

If you have a tripod you turn OFF the stabilization, but be sure and turn it back on when not on the tripod, Jeff

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Actually, that is for older versions of IS. For the Canon 500mm:

" The Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens knows that a tripod is being used when vibrations go below a certain level. Keep IS turned on when mounting the 500 L on a tripod to take advantage of this secondary IS mode - reducing mirror slap, shutter and tripod vibrations. "

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Originally Posted by mwfanelli2

Actually, that is for older versions of IS. For the Canon 500mm:

" The Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens knows that a tripod is being used when vibrations go below a certain level. Keep IS turned on when mounting the 500 L on a tripod to take advantage of this secondary IS mode - reducing mirror slap, shutter and tripod vibrations. "

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You are right! I verified that you do leave it on so my question is, why have an off switch, Jeff

When shutter speeds at and beyond 1/500th are being used, no need for it, it will only consume battery.

Most of the time I don't use stabilization other than long telephoto, I tend to go more for high shutter speeds if possible, mind you I am very pleased we have stabilization nowadays, it's given me a lot of photo opportunities I would of not had if it was not for image stabilization :D

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Originally Posted by Grandpaw

You are right! I verified that you do leave it on so my question is, why have an off switch, Jeff

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The IS on this lens works seamlessly on and off the tripod. To answer your question, I don't know - I never turn mine off on this lens. For that matter, I have never even used Mode 2 - just Mode 1 - even while panning and for in-flight stuff.

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Originally Posted by Anbesol

When shutter speeds at and beyond 1/500th are being used, no need for it, it will only consume battery.

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I don't agree with you on this one, Anbesol.

Why not use all the tools that are available to you. Just because one hits the reciprocal-focal-length-speed doesn't mean that the camera shake becomes suddenly and completely mitigated by the shutter speed. It is still there and who knows when an image will need to be later cropped or if the image will be printed extremely large.

The reciprocal-focal-length-speed is just a guide. Stabilization is going to help so why not use it? :)

If you turn off VR/IS, you may get a focus lock faster. At least that's my impression.

And if you're shooting at 1/2000s....