Quick lens question

I was looking at some of Canon's IS lenses and noticed that some of the larger ones have it. I'm talking about the 300, 400, 500mm L lenses. What is the point of image stabilization on a lens that large? Is anyone out there really going to try to hand hold an 11.5 lbs lens? Help a beginner understand. :confused:

Well no, but IS really helps when panning, even when using a monopod. Now if you do want to try hand holding a 400mm try the DO version. I used one at Indy and loved the thing. I'd like to buy one. I wouldn't hand hold for a long time but you could do it.

Anyway the IS is important on these lenses especially shooting action sports as it lets you pan quickly and stay in focus.

JS

I hand hold my 500mm quite often. I have a Sigma 170-500mm, not nearly as heavy, fast, sharp or expensive as the Canon L series, but hand holding is possible. I usually have to boost the ISO setting to get the shutter speeds fast enuf and IS would really come in handy in situations like this. I would prefer to shoot with it using a tripod and cable release, but sometimes it's just not possible, and IS would really help out.

The IS on a 600F4L IS gives you 4 TIMES the keepers as a older 600F4L(non IS). The reason being that on pro IS lenses you can use the IS on a tripod to combat vibration and wind :) With IS you can save pounds on your tripod gear (a typical 600F4 setup weighs 30 pounds) with an IS lens , due to the fact that you won't need as heavy a set of legs to get sharp images ;)

I have handheld the 400F2.8AFSII(Nikon) and 400F2.8L IS(500F4'S and 600F4's too) and I assure you that IS does help ALOT ;)

Thanks for the replies.

JS - I hadn't thought about panning. Thanks

Michael - I'm not, at the moment, in the market for a lens that long I was just curious why a lens that you would have to use a tripod for (speaking of the longer Canon L lenses at 11 + lbs.) would need IS.

Paul - I was unaware that you could use IS on the L lenses while on a tripod. Thanks for the 411.