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IS or not IS with a Monopod?

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Kameraphil

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Hi,

I've just ordered a monopod for use with my E-510 and E-3. While waiting for delivering, I've just remembered the Olympus instruction book says that IS should be off for tripod shots. What about with a monopod? Anyone has got some experience/ thought to share?

By the way, I customarily used a tripod for shots of night scenes, street lights, etc. However, the E-510 and E-3 have made my use of a tripod somewhat redundant or even cumbersome, and I think a monopod may be a neat alternative. I truly appreciate this IS feature on the cameras that Olympus has made available to us, and we don't have to be rich to enjoy it :) .
 
I would guess that a monopod will still be subject to some movement, depending on how well you can brace it. Be interesting to try with and without, but I suspect IS will still be on benefit in most cases.

Colin
 
IS - it's only a monopod!

Having looked at various posted results from minitests here I have concluded that IS on for really long exposures on a really solid tripod in windless conditions may well degrade the image - and clearly has in some examples of many minutes. On the other hand it hasn't on others up to a few minutes.

Put another way I would leave it on by default

--
  • enjoy your camera equipment -
 
I use IS with monopod and lightweight tripod and get better results than with out IS on.

--
Collin
 
The Olympus Manual states that if you are using the E-3 on a Tripod, that you should turn IS Off. A monopod serves a similar purpose to a tripod so common sense would tell you to make sure IS is off when using the monopod as well.

This is not unlike early Canon IS lenses which required you to turn off the IS function when using them on a monopod or tripod to prevent damage.

Hope this helps,

Jason
Kameraphil said:
Hi,

I've just ordered a monopod for use with my E-510 and E-3. While
waiting for delivering, I've just remembered the Olympus instruction
book says that IS should be off for tripod shots. What about with a
monopod? Anyone has got some experience/ thought to share?

By the way, I customarily used a tripod for shots of night scenes,
street lights, etc. However, the E-510 and E-3 have made my use of a
tripod somewhat redundant or even cumbersome, and I think a monopod
may be a neat alternative. I truly appreciate this IS feature on the
cameras that Olympus has made available to us, and we don't have to
be rich to enjoy it :) .
Click to expand...
--
Jason Stoller [email protected]

We are just Beta Testers who pay the Camera Companies to test their new products!
 
As an avid monopod user, I can say that IS has to be left on to get the best result.

But then, it had to be noted that when I use a monopod, usually my focal lenght is > 150 and shutter is on the range of 1/2
 
IS always, even with light tripod. These are my findings.
--
Duarte Bruno
 
Azhad said:
As an avid monopod user, I can say that IS has to be left on to get
the best result.
Click to expand...
Well you go right ahead and do that. The purpose of turning off IS off on a monopod or a tripod is so you do not damage the IS in the camera body. I have lots of experience shooting with Canon IS lenses and I know that leaving IS On was know to damage the IS built in the early lenses. In addition, there must be a reason that Olympus tells you to turn off IS when mounted on a tripod. A monopod serves the same function, it is used to steady the camera and lens when capturing an image so one would think it would follow the same routine that Olympus sets out in there manual for the E-3 on page 60 in the manual. Probably a quick call to tech support would answer that question once and for all. Personally, I would rather let you take the chance of doing damage to the IS in your camera instead of me taking the chance of damaging mine or suggesting to someone else to do something contrary to what is outlined in the manual.
Azhad said:
But then, it had to be noted that when I use a monopod, usually my
focal lenght is > 150 and shutter is on the range of 1/2
Click to expand...
I am sorry, but I just do not see Focal length as being relevant to the question being asked here.

Jason

--
Jason Stoller [email protected]

We are just Beta Testers who pay the Camera Companies to test their new products!
 
1st, oly's in body IS is not canon's in lens IS. So your argument is irrelevant. BTW, show me where Olympus states that leaving IS on while on a tripod will damage the IS? oh that's right.. it doesn't.

2nd, you should turn off the IS due to the camera getting too confused by small vibrations which the IS accidentally over corrects for. Many test around here show that long exposures are hurt by IS, but for relative quick shots the IS has no Ill effects.

Do to real world testing by users around here, one could safely assume that IS helps where there is any movement of the camera (light tripod / monopod) but is best to turn IS off on a good tripod. And this is exactly my plane in regards when to use or not use IS.

3rd, focal length is relevant. why in the heck would he even mention it unless one really needed IS "due" to the focal length.

Focal length + Shutter speed = to use or not use IS?? So yeah, it's always relevant.
Jason Stoller said:
Azhad said:
As an avid monopod user, I can say that IS has to be left on to get
the best result.
Click to expand...
Well you go right ahead and do that. The purpose of turning off IS
off on a monopod or a tripod is so you do not damage the IS in the
camera body. I have lots of experience shooting with Canon IS lenses
and I know that leaving IS On was know to damage the IS built in the
early lenses. In addition, there must be a reason that Olympus tells
you to turn off IS when mounted on a tripod. A monopod serves the
same function, it is used to steady the camera and lens when
capturing an image so one would think it would follow the same
routine that Olympus sets out in there manual for the E-3 on page 60
in the manual. Probably a quick call to tech support would answer
that question once and for all. Personally, I would rather let you
take the chance of doing damage to the IS in your camera instead of
me taking the chance of damaging mine or suggesting to someone else
to do something contrary to what is outlined in the manual.
Jason Stoller said:
But then, it had to be noted that when I use a monopod, usually my
focal lenght is > 150 and shutter is on the range of 1/2
Click to expand...
I am sorry, but I just do not see Focal length as being relevant to
the question being asked here.

Jason

--
Click to expand...
 
sorry Jason but your response just doesn't make sense.

there are tripods and tripods - let alone monopods! and by your logic any shot where the camera is supported by a solid object at all should have IS off ie railings.

lightweight cheap Velbon (no critism or comment on manufacturer here just looking across the room) used to steady a 566mm (eq) combo at 1/125th with the shutter manually depressed is, in IS terms, no different from having the camera in hand at the same shutter speed with any lens.

as the IS is active when the shutter is open I personally think about turning it off from a 1 sec exposure onwards - where I will be thinking about other settings and firing the shutter remotely anyway.

--
  • enjoy your camera equipment -
 
i heard sometime ago that having IS on anything (lens or body) whilst on a tripod sometimes gives more blurry shots- IS systems have been designed to counteract natural human vibrations including minute muscle movements and heartbeat rhythms, having it on a tripod/monopod won't be the same frequency of vibrations and those systems won't work as well...

the whole point of IS though is so you can take steadier shots HANDHELD. it's meant to replace a monopod

i'd suggest shoot hand-held, with IS on
or
use a tripod with IS off.

if you are shooting longer than 3 stops slower than 1/focal length then you should be using a tripod anyway, as a monopod works on the same principles as IS-

that is, it's only meant to help 'slower' shots, not to steady the camera for long exposures

sell the monopod
 
I have had success with the e510 on a Monopod with "IS" On.
300mm (600efl) f2.8, 50-200, 35-100 f2
Thread posted using the 300mm f2.8 and a Monopod.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=25484814

I use a lightweight/small Monopod and a Trek MagMount (a magnet quick release head) ... Like the way I can drop the Monopod and handhold for a few shots.

This is my prefered method with long lens and the e510 with IS on, comes in handy when you have a quick handheld shot on the side of you.
Have shot a few 1,000 of shots that way on the above lens.
HG
Kameraphil said:
Hi,

I've just ordered a monopod for use with my E-510 and E-3. While
waiting for delivering, I've just remembered the Olympus instruction
book says that IS should be off for tripod shots. What about with a
monopod? Anyone has got some experience/ thought to share?

By the way, I customarily used a tripod for shots of night scenes,
street lights, etc. However, the E-510 and E-3 have made my use of a
tripod somewhat redundant or even cumbersome, and I think a monopod
may be a neat alternative. I truly appreciate this IS feature on the
cameras that Olympus has made available to us, and we don't have to
be rich to enjoy it :) .
Click to expand...
--

Please feel free to criticize, make suggestions, and edit any of my photos & re-post, to help show me 'the way'. * I am trying to Elevate the Level of my 'Snap Shots' :)
Guess I will need a pic of my e510 soon ...

 
chocolate_face said:
the whole point of IS though is so you can take steadier shots
HANDHELD. it's meant to replace a monopod

i'd suggest shoot hand-held, with IS on
or use a tripod with IS off.
Click to expand...
I suggest you do some testing of your own before you make such suggestions.
I've consistently got sharper pictures on a light tripod with IS on.
--
Duarte Bruno
 
I am sure Canon has a reason for not using IS on a tripod or monopod, I just don't understand how it would damage the IS system. Would it also damage the IS if I handheld the camera but bracing my hand on a solid object? It just does not make sense to me.
--
PS
 
Thank you all for replying!

I thought it might be a simple question to answer but it's very interesting to see different ways of thinking and to have food for thought.

Cheers,
 
I've had generally better results with the IS on when using a tripod and would imagine having it on would be even more helpful with a monopod.
 
When using long lenses 300mm+ they oscillate on a tripod and I find IS negates this so for me and a long lens's IS always on.

--
Collin
 
Until we know if using IS on a tripod/monopod actually damages it, I see no reason not to try it. I guess the frequency of the shake would be different to handheld, which is what IS is optimized for. Maybe for shortish exposures there's an argument for using a cheap, light tripod that's a bit wobbly so the IS has enough movement to detect? : )

Bruce
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruce-clarke/
 
The IS system works by moving the sensor based on inputs from the gyroscope. If there isn't any input from the gyroscope, such as lack of vibration or movement of the camera, the sensor would not move to compensate. That is why I don't understand why there would be any adverse effect of using IS when it is mounted on a tripod (or monopod).
--
PS
 
Obviously there was no really point in asking or answering this question because the majority of you are ignoring the manual. IS is IS. It does not matter whether the IS system is in the camera body or in the lens. Olympus IS is a gyro system that is built in the body. When you mount the camera and lens on a tripod or monopod you are counteracting the IS Gyro in the body of the system.

Since many of you advocate leaving IS on when using a tripod the please explain your reasoning because I would like to understand why you would contradict the Manufacturer in regard to the use of IS on a Tripod. Common sense would tell you the same would apply to the use of a monopod because its serves a similar function which is to help steady the camera.
--
Jason Stoller [email protected]

We are just Beta Testers who pay the Camera Companies to test their new products!
 
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