IS - what would you do?

[tlove]

Hi all

Sorry if this isn't the place for it, but I've got a general IS question about the E-30, particularly as you have three IS settings to choose from!

IS 1 is 'on' - so far, so good
IS 2 is for horizontal panning - yes, that's okay
IS 3 is for Vertical panning - that's okay too.

One of my photographic hobbies is birds in flight (such as displays etc. or in the wild), and my question is this:

If you had the opportunity to photograph birds in flight, which IS setting would you go for?

I'm thinking that I would leave it on IS 1 as a general setting, because birds in flight don't just go 'up' and 'down' or 'along' - they tend to do the whole lot at the same time, so do you think I would be right in doing that?

I'd be interested (grateful, more like ) for your input on this one, as I certainly never really know the best IS setting to use to get the best effect

Thanks for your help - and sorry for the really dumb question!

Thea

[theMusicMan]

Re: IS - what would you do?

IS 1 Thea... that is what I have used all the time, except when the camera is on the tripod (if I remember to turn it off that is!!)

[Zuiko]

Re: IS - what would you do?

Hi Thea,

I recently posted a set of birds in flight on Four Thirds User. All were taken with IS2 (horizontal panning because that's what I was mainly doing, even though I was twisting the camera at all angles!) Here's the link if you are interested...

http://www.fourthirds-user.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5470

[EH1]

Re: IS - what would you do?

I agree, leave it on IS 1.

[shenstone]

Re: IS - what would you do?

IS1 would be my 1st option unless the background and directions lent themselves to a specific setting

I do know people who would suggest OFF as the preferred setting as in a highly mobile situation IS can cause artifacts

Regards
Andy

[Zuiko]

Re: IS - what would you do?

Hi Thea,

I recently posted a set of birds in flight on Four Thirds User. All were taken with IS2 (horizontal panning because that's what I was mainly doing, even though I was twisting the camera at all angles!) Here's the link if you are interested...

http://www.fourthirds-user.com/forum...ead.php?t=5470

No, I'm a right donut - I've just checked the camera (haven't changed the settings since the weekend) and it was IS1. Which maybe raises the question, does it really matter?

[photo_owl]

Re: IS - what would you do?

as Andy (and others) IS1 if no background, including clouds, but after that it becomes a matter of judgement.

[andym]

Re: IS - what would you do?

I'm a great one for IS off unless it's needed.
For panning its alway off but with ISO 400 to try and keep my shutter speed fairly high.

[tlove]

Re: IS - what would you do?

Thank you all very much for that - that's an interesting set of responses indeed .

I think that I'll have a try at leaving it in the 'off' position, and see how I get on.

The problem with photographing birds in flight is that the background varies literally by the second as you pan around in all different directions to try and photograph them (or perhaps that's just me !).

I was very interested to see the comments about artifacts too - something I can also pick up on my images from time to time. Another reason for trying it with the IS switched off.

Many thanks once again - it's much appreciated

Thea

[DerekC]

Re: IS - what would you do?

Is was photographing superbike racing recently, panning for which IS2 is the suggested correct setting. I tried shooting with it switched on and off. I couldn't notice a difference in the images. That was even trying lower shutter speeds to see if the IS made a difference. In the end I just relied on the trusted old method of trying to pan smoothly and keep steady, use a high enough shutter speed.

[Jonesgj]

Re: IS - what would you do?

Unless you are sure about the flight path I would leave it set to off. I think that is the technically correct thing to do as you will be trying to move the camera, which is an extreme form of camera shake! With IS 'on' the camera will try and compensate.

My advice comes with a health warning. I have hundreds of shots of trees with branches gently moving, may be with the odd feather floating down ... I'm not good at photographing birds in flight

Hope this helps

Graydon

[tlove]

Re: IS - what would you do?

My advice comes with a health warning. I have hundreds of shots of trees with branches gently moving, may be with the odd feather floating down ... I'm not good at photographing birds in flight

Well, that makes two of us, then .

I'm definitely going to try and do some with the IS off, and if I get anything worthwhile (other than the odd feather or disappearing wing in the image ) I'll post something in Foto Fair.

Thanks all

Thea

[theMusicMan]

Re: IS - what would you do?

Honestly, I'd leave IS1 turned on all the time. What's the point in having a superb feature in-camera if you're not going to use it? It allows you those all important additional few stops, so why not take advantage of it. Birds are hard enough to photograph anyway, why make it harder for yourself?

[Melaka]

Re: IS - what would you do?

So much for handheld but what do members advise for a monopod and for a beanbag please? I'm thinking of the larger lenses such as the 50-200, 135-400 and Bigma. The latter can be remarkably steady with a beanbag from a proper hide and I wonder if in those circumstances IS should be off. Monopods seem to wave in the breeze whatever you do.

[theMusicMan]

Re: IS - what would you do?

I appreciate that a monopod or beanbag could help, but all of my birding shots were handheld. I have shots taken with the 70-300mm, coupled with the EC14, and the Bigma - and technique is a big plus.