IS or not IS with a Monopod?

[StephenL]

The reason why it is advised to switch off IS when the camera is mounted on a FULLY STABLE PLATFORM is because the results if IS is left on are unpredictable. Physical damage CANNOT occur.

Easiest way to find out if your images are affected is to try both ways. But I don't consider a monopod to be a fully stable platform. Otherwise it would stand up on its own without a trembling human being holding it.
--
http://www.argyllphotos.com

 

[Jason Stoller]

Stephen, I certainly could argue the fully stable platform statement. It all depends on the quality of the Tripod. The same applies to monopods based on the user and the difference between a consumer grade and professional grade. I own a Slik pro pod which is certainly more stable than what you would buy at Best buy or Target. As I am sure you will agree, Monopods are designed for better portablity, but if they are well built and used by a skilled photographer they can be pretty Stable.

The reason why it is advised to switch off IS when the camera is
mounted on a FULLY STABLE PLATFORM is because the results if IS is
left on are unpredictable. Physical damage CANNOT occur.
Easiest way to find out if your images are affected is to try both
ways. But I don't consider a monopod to be a fully stable platform.
Otherwise it would stand up on its own without a trembling human
being holding it.
--
http://www.argyllphotos.com

--
Jason Stoller [email protected]

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

 

[photo_owl]

well I have just mounted a 510 on a Bilora Stativ, added a 50-200 and with LV at 10x touching the camera at all still gives clear movement which IS removes when switched on. (yes the 50-200 mount isn't solid!)

first find your fully stable platform.............

--

• enjoy your camera equipment -

 

[duartix]

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.

How about "Because it works!" ?

--
Duarte Bruno

 

[Hawaii-geek]

photo_owl,
Sometimes the Best Way to prove something (or test it) is the simplest!
Wish I thought of that! LV at 10x

I am sure even on the BEST of monopods and the most stable photographer a 600mm lens at LV 10x will show movement on the shutter press at the very least.

p.s. for myself ... I am speaking of monopods and using "IS".

Now your suggestion has got me thinking about trying your LV 10x test on a "tripod" pressing the shutter by hand on a long lens.

• and also curious how much of a shake on a tripod will it need for the "IS" to improve the shot.

My guess is that if releasing the shutter "delayed" / Mirror UP on a good Tripod ... IS should be off.

Sounds like a cool test to me.
Because right now I turn "IS" OFF when using a tripod.
HG

well I have just mounted a 510 on a Bilora Stativ, added a 50-200 and
with LV at 10x touching the camera at all still gives clear movement
which IS removes when switched on. (yes the 50-200 mount isn't solid!)

first find your fully stable platform.............

--

• enjoy your camera equipment -

--

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 ...

 

[nightboss]

perhaps depends on how steady you are with it ... i find i NEED to turn it off but my wife can have it on ....

regards
--
David
(CH Feldmar Nightboss IMP US was the name of one of my dogs)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nightboss_files/

 

[Dave Bennett]

Use of a monopod is not dissimilar to handholding anyway - it's just steadier. Therefore it would make sense to use IS with a monopod. You may even get away with an even slower shutter speed that handholding your camera. A tripod should allow no camera movement therefore IS is not needed.

Seems obvious to me! However, I will have to try this out with my new E-3. Roll on the weekend!
--
Dave
http://www.pbase.com/benvendetta
pbase supporter

 

[tomh1000]

Stephen, I certainly could argue the fully stable platform statement.
It all depends on the quality of the Tripod. The same applies to
monopods based on the user and the difference between a consumer
grade and professional grade. I own a Slik pro pod which is
certainly more stable than what you would buy at Best buy or Target.
As I am sure you will agree, Monopods are designed for better
portablity, but if they are well built and used by a skilled
photographer they can be pretty Stable.

The term "pretty stable" is the key here. Although a monopod may be somewhat stable it is still subject to movement. It is simple laws of physics. One point on any surface is NOT a stable platform therefore subject to movement. It takes three and ONLY three points on a surface to produce a stable platform. Any more or less is considered unstable. As far as damage to an IS system I find it hard to believe. I have worked with such systems on military vehicles and they stay running weather the vehicle is moving or stationary.

--
Tom



http://www.deltonalakes.com/galleries

 

[photo_owl]

HG - in this case it is clearly the 50-200 mount that provides the lack of 'stability' in the system that can introduce movement fairly easily. The IS can handle such movement really well - ironically actully pushing the button to bring IS into play introduces such movement in the above test.

Personally I think it is a great addition and whilst a great photographer should be able to release the shutter without needing such I'm happy to accept my weakness.

I don't turn the ESP of on my cars either despite knowing that I am in the 80% of drivers that are better than average.........

--

• enjoy your camera equipment -

 

[SteB]

I have noticed that when people are discussing tripod stability etc., they tend to see the issue in a very simplistic way and fixed way - such as tripod "a" has "x" amount of stability. In reality the actual tripod stability is very much influenced by its position, what it is standing on, how the camera is fired and what is mounted on it and how. Flex or vibration can occur on even the sturdiest tripod in some circumstances, whilst on the other hand a camera might be very steady on even a light tripod if the camera is well balanced and undisturbed.

Essentially, there are a lot of variables.

I have to admit that currently I have not used a DSLR with any form of IS. However, I have wondered about how little movement is needed for IS to have an advantage. For instance, when you press the shutter button on even quite a good medium weight tripod it is enough to induce a slight flex or movement. Therefore, I think that it is possible in some circumstances where a tripod mounted camera with IS could give an advantage.

 

[Phil]

I use a monopod with long and heavy lenes at parades and sporting events. Tripods are not an option. Quite frankly, IS depends on the speed you are shooting, so if is slow turn on IS if it is on a monopod. Yes the monopod helps steady the camera, but it is not motionless. It does save my back after 3 hours with a 2 Lb. lens.
--
Phil

 

[bgin]

Tripod or monopod, if I manually press the shutter release I keep IS on. I read somewhere that after manually pressing the shutter release there still is minute vibrations for several seconds after the act. Using a remote shutter release (wired or wireless), I turn IS off.

bgin

 

[Jason Stoller]

Phil, I shoot lots of sports and events as well. When I factor in my 2-5lb lenses along with my Canon 1D and 1DMKII bodies, a heavy grade professional monopod that is very stiff saves my back. I also agree that the stability of a tripod is subject to what the OP suggested, which is that any of the 3 points of support can affect that stability. There is a reason that there are very expensive professional tripods and monopods. Some of that cost has to do with the material of which they are made, and some has to do with the construction compared to the rest of the market.

Getting back to IS on a monopod or tripod, I first learned about turning IS off when I was shooting my Olympus E-100RS which was sold with a Canon IS lens mounted in the camera. I also owned the UZI which has a similar lens with IS and was released around the same time. When I first started using my 1D system, I purchased the 28-135 IS lens which was one of the early designed Canon IS lenses. Canon recommended that IS be turned off on a monopod or tripod as well. Later developed Canon lenses such as the 70-200IS and others, automatically sense when they are on a tripod or monopod.

Anyway, I will leave to others here to figure out why Olympus has stated to turn off IS in the E-3 body when used this way.

Have a great day,

Jason
--
Jason Stoller [email protected]

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

 

[Phil]

Jason,

I agree with you. I can get the speed up and don't need much DOF in most situations where I use a monopod anyway, so I would not use IS. I have a big fat Gitzo carbon fiber. It is also handy for "right sholder arms". I don't do much over 400mm so even shooting 1/200th one can proably live without the complicaiton of IS.

Hey, on a tripod I hope the subject is not moving so I don't worry about me or the tripod moving. I see IS as needed for tele-zoom hand held shots. In the Olympus world this is a new thing for us, so we will have to try a few things.
--
Phil

 

[simpy]

Anyway, I will leave to others here to figure out why Olympus has
stated to turn off IS in the E-3 body when used this way.

The manual does not mention the monopod, right? As I see it, you have concluded that what applies to tripods must also apply to monopods. Others (including me) may think differently.

Simon

 

[Jason Stoller]

Anyway, I will leave to others here to figure out why Olympus has
stated to turn off IS in the E-3 body when used this way.

The manual does not mention the monopod, right? As I see it, you have
concluded that what applies to tripods must also apply to monopods.
Others (including me) may think differently.

Simon

Simon, you are correct that the manual only mentions Tripods (page 60), but yesterday I did make a call to Olympus Support. You are certainly welcome to do the same. I also have no problem with your thinking differently. After all, you paid for your gear.

As I stated in one of my original posts, that based on my experience using IS, it only makes sense to me that this would apply to monopods as well. In addition, where you mount your monopod or tripod can affect stability. When I used a 200 1.8,300mm 2.8, or longer focal length lens, I mounted under the lens to get better balance. I mounted under the camera body itself when using shorter focal lengths.

--
Jason Stoller [email protected]

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

 

[Phil]

Another great advantage to mounting the long lenes on the monopod rather than the camera is pivoting to portrait or landscape is much easier than even a ball.
--
Phil