X2D II 100C - FAQ: How to get most out of 10-stop IBIS

[SrMi]

X2D II 100C - FAQ

Among other things, the FAQ discusses how to optimize for IBIS:

HOW DO I MAKE THE MOST OF 10-STOP STABILISATION?

1. Each time X2D II 100C connects to Phocus Mobile 2, it obtains current latitude/longitude position. Using location and compass information compensates for Earth's rotation effects on stabilisation. We recommend connecting to Phocus Mobile 2 before shooting to help the stabilisation system obtain latest geographic information, valid for 4 hours. When location changes significantly, obtain new position information.

2. Stabilisation improvement has limits; the camera still needs to be held stably.

3. After extended use, rest the camera on a stable surface for a period for better stabilisation performance.

 

[SrMi]

The FAQ also contains seldom-mentioned advice applicable to all cameras.

WHY ARE PHOTOS LESS SHARP WHEN USING A TRIPOD?

When shooting long exposures with a tripod, the motion sensors in the stabilisation system may detect invalid data, causing incorrect compensation.

When stabilisation is enabled, the system automatically detects tripod use, but detection can be affected by environmental vibrations. We recommend disabling stabilisation when using a tripod.

WHY IS STABILISATION LESS EFFECTIVE FOR CLOSE-UP SHOTS?

In close-up photography, lateral movement significantly affects stabilisation. In such cases, we recommend using faster shutter speeds, higher ISO, and applying Hasselblad Natural Noise Reduction (HNNR)* in Phocus.

 

[JimKasson]

The FAQ also contains seldom-mentioned advice applicable to all cameras.

WHY ARE PHOTOS LESS SHARP WHEN USING A TRIPOD?

When shooting long exposures with a tripod, the motion sensors in the stabilisation system may detect invalid data, causing incorrect compensation.

When stabilisation is enabled, the system automatically detects tripod use, but detection can be affected by environmental vibrations. We recommend disabling stabilisation when using a tripod.

WHY IS STABILISATION LESS EFFECTIVE FOR CLOSE-UP SHOTS?

In close-up photography, lateral movement significantly affects stabilisation. In such cases, we recommend using faster shutter speeds, higher ISO, and applying Hasselblad Natural Noise Reduction (HNNR)* in Phocus.

It's nice that they're saying this, but a lot of us figured this out years ago.

 

[SrMi]

The FAQ also contains seldom-mentioned advice applicable to all cameras.

WHY ARE PHOTOS LESS SHARP WHEN USING A TRIPOD?

When shooting long exposures with a tripod, the motion sensors in the stabilisation system may detect invalid data, causing incorrect compensation.

When stabilisation is enabled, the system automatically detects tripod use, but detection can be affected by environmental vibrations. We recommend disabling stabilisation when using a tripod.

WHY IS STABILISATION LESS EFFECTIVE FOR CLOSE-UP SHOTS?

In close-up photography, lateral movement significantly affects stabilisation. In such cases, we recommend using faster shutter speeds, higher ISO, and applying Hasselblad Natural Noise Reduction (HNNR)* in Phocus.

It's nice that they're saying this, but a lot of us figured this out years ago.

Yes, it is common knowledge in this forum, thanks to you and others.

On other forums, not so much, and outside the forums, probably even less.

 

[Doppler9000]

Interesting article…

https://thecentercolumn.com/2020/01/17/earths-rotation-limits-ibis-performance-to-6-3-stops/

 

[SrMi]

And from the manual:

In high latitude areas or regions with strong magnetic fields, the Earth rotation
compensation feature may fail.

 

[GonnaSnap]

I'd think there are a million variables that could compromise IBIS that have nothing to do with the Earth's rotation. How ridiculous. Many of us don't want our devices to track or store our location (even if it is for 4 hours). I don't know where that data is sent, where it is stored long-term on a server somewhere, or what it can be used for. Our federal government has shown a propensity for using against us information that we previously thought benign.

This sounds like Tesla requiring a mobile uplink to its server along with live AI visual analysis to determine if it's raining and whether or not to activate the windshield wipers. Instead of using a much less complex, dedicated rain sensor that just works and doesn't require mobile data infrastructure and the development of artificial intelligence. My god!

DJI, Tesla, and the rest of the tech-bros want to use complex software tricks to keep their hardware costs low. The side benefit to them is that it makes us all more reliant on them. The fact that one needs to ping a satellite in MEO, and use dedicated software that many don't like, to improve IBIS seems crazy and ridiculous to me.

Have I said that I'm cynical? lol

 

[SrMi]

I'd think there are a million variables that could compromise IBIS that have nothing to do with the Earth's rotation. Many of us don't want our cameras (or raw files) to store location data. This sounds like Tesla requiring a mobile uplink to its server along with live AI visual analysis to determine if it's raining and whether or not to activate the windshield wipers. Instead of using a much less complex, dedicated rain sensor.

DJI, Tesla, and the rest of the tech-bros want to use complex software tricks to keep their hardware costs low. The fact that one needs to ping a satellite in MEO, and use dedicated software that many don't like, in order to improve IBIS seems crazy and ridiculous to me.

Have I said that I'm cynical? lol

The cameras storing location data temporarily or even storing it in the images has nothing to do with what you are objecting to.

The data stored on the camera is not being shared or uploaded, and the location stored in images is optional (not available on Hasselblads). It can be stripped out before sharing a photo.

Without location data, the IBIS cannot function as well as it can with location data. Of course, you can set your Phocus app preferences not to share location data and live with the standard IBIS performance.

 

[Schrodingers cat]

Instead of using a much less complex, dedicated rain sensor that just works

I rather thought the driver made a fairly accurate sensor

Have I said that I'm cynical? lol

Good man. Keep up the good work. We are in dire need of more cynics (this is not a snide remark, I'm serious as a heart attack )

--
Personal travel snapshots at https://www.castle-explorers.com
1. Making good decisions is generally the result of experience.
2. Experience is generally the result of making bad decisions.
3. Never underestimate your capability for doing incredibly stupid s**t.

 

[GonnaSnap]

Instead of using a much less complex, dedicated rain sensor that just works

I rather thought the driver made a fairly accurate sensor

Certainly a better one than all of the infrastructure that had to be built out to replace a simple, dedicated rain sensor! Instead of a simple light sensor to determine when to dim the screens, Tesla uses an algorithm to calculate your location, the angle of the sun in the sky, and cloud albedo. Sometimes I wonder if the folks at these tech companies are doing these things just to mess with us while they get richer and richer.

Have I said that I'm cynical? lol

Good man. Keep up the good work. We are in dire need of more cynics (this is not a snide remark, I'm serious as a heart attack )

I do have an issue with today's heavy reliance on tech and how a handful of tech-bros are enriching themselves at everyone else's expense. All of this complexity is not needed. But DJI wants us to buy into it and rely on it moving forward because doing so makes DJI richer. DJI—Da-Jiang Innovations—is a Chinese company that is beholden to the Chinese government. Upon request, DJI must provide all of your data to the Chinese government, including location and anything else in its possession.

This is the difference between a product made in China by a non-Chinese entity versus a product sold by a Chinese company. I do not want to be that reliant on technology developed and sold by an enemy of democracy, run by a totalitarian, Communist regime.