Image stabilization panning detection in RF lenses

Duckman21 wrote:

Many "cheaper" EF or EF-S lenses have only one stabilizer mode, but Canon previously indicated these to have panning detection built in, so the horizontal axis would disable if you pan fast enough. I'm wondering if the same holds true for the RF lenses like the RF 100-400mm.

I will start with my impressions of the RF 800mm f11. The IS works very well for stationary subjects but not so much for slow panning at medium to low shutter speeds. Not sure if I'm panning too slowly to trigger a "panning mode" or there just isn't one to begin with. I've been photographing ducks and other waterbirds swimming leisurely and noticed considerable motion blur. Turning off gave me some sharper shots but most were prone to overall blur in both the vertical and horizontal axis. I had a similar issue with my Tamron 150-600mm G2 on DSLRs, and always do this for flying birds, but found swimming birds less of an issue. I also wonder how much of an effect IBIS is worsening this by "enhancing" the stabilization and if it fares better with non-IBIS bodies.

Like you, I too have found that turning IS off completely gives me the highest keeper rates whenever I’m shooting something that’s moving (R5 + 100-500 +/- 1.4x).  I don’t use panning mode because rarely is anything I’m shooting moving in a purely horizontal direction.

Instead I rely on a fast shutter speed to stop motion, or if I’m after slow shutter effects I try to use the best panning technique possible.  For still shots, the IS is of course tremendously helpful!

I’m not certain if it’s the IBIS that’s contributing to this phenomenon (as you can’t disable it separately).  But the work-around does give excellent results.

R2