removing image stabilization "hunting" at DVinfo.net

Bruce Watson · July 6th, 2010, 02:13 PM

I'm a rookie. Made a rookie mistake. Forgot to turn off the camera's image stabilizer when I put the camera on a tripod. Much of the resulting footage suffers from what I call image stabilization "hunting" (I'm sure that's not the right jargon for this, but I don't yet know what the proper name for it is). Basically it's a rhythmic motion visible in the video.

After Effects seems to contain filters to get rid of motion artifacts. But these seem to be aimed at motion artifacts that come from jerky motion while hand holding. This is just the opposite -- jerky motion from the camera on a tripod.

Is it possible to get rid of the "hunting" artifacts? If so, how?

Oh, yes. Camera is a little Canon HF200. Canon lists its image stabilization system as: SuperRange Optical (lens shift). It's that tiny bit of lens shifting that's causing my problem.

Peter Manojlovic · July 6th, 2010, 02:50 PM

That's weird. Even with stabilization turned on, it should be only a few frames of hunting before it catches up.
What you seem to imply, is that the whole movement of the tripod is a victim of this "motion hunting".

If that's the case, then what you explain is a field order issue..

Otherwise, After Effects has a Motion Tracker feature that's very powerful...Many tutorials on the net to learn it properly.

Good luck!!!

Bruce Watson · July 6th, 2010, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Manojlovic

That's weird. Even with stabilization turned on, it should be only a few frames of hunting before it catches up.

Seems to be due to the fact that the camera is completely still, not even panning or tilting. The image stabilization algorithm is hunting, looking for something to correct. But there is nothing to correct. So it just sorta pulses around the stable point, waiting and watching. Which is why it's generally advised to turn IS off when using a tripod. Which I knew, but sadly forgot to do. Sigh...

Don Blish · July 6th, 2010, 03:55 PM

Whether its this hunting or a not quite rock steady tripod, the movement to correct should be slight and AfterEffects should be able to handle it. Check VideoCopilot.com. They have a great tutorial and plugin to enhance AE. Since the morvement is slight, you should not have to crop much. It will take some time though.

Peter Manojlovic · July 6th, 2010, 07:25 PM

Hey Bruce....

This sounds strange...IS on or off, if the camera isn't moving, then there shouldn't be any hunting...
I'd seriously get it checked out.
Even on a tripod, the IS feature turned on shouldn't be too much of an issue..Like i say, it's only the first few frames that might give you trouble on a pan...

Good luck!!!

Ann Bens · July 7th, 2010, 11:27 AM

Its even in most manuals for Canon as well as Sony: turn IS off when using a tripod.

July 6th, 2010, 02:13 PM	#1
Bruce Watson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 710	removing image stabilization "hunting" I'm a rookie. Made a rookie mistake. Forgot to turn off the camera's image stabilizer when I put the camera on a tripod. Much of the resulting footage suffers from what I call image stabilization "hunting" (I'm sure that's not the right jargon for this, but I don't yet know what the proper name for it is). Basically it's a rhythmic motion visible in the video. After Effects seems to contain filters to get rid of motion artifacts. But these seem to be aimed at motion artifacts that come from jerky motion while hand holding. This is just the opposite -- jerky motion from the camera on a tripod. Is it possible to get rid of the "hunting" artifacts? If so, how? Oh, yes. Camera is a little Canon HF200. Canon lists its image stabilization system as: SuperRange Optical (lens shift). It's that tiny bit of lens shifting that's causing my problem.

July 6th, 2010, 03:55 PM	#4
Don Blish Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Portland OR Posts: 227	Use AE "keyframing" Whether its this hunting or a not quite rock steady tripod, the movement to correct should be slight and AfterEffects should be able to handle it. Check VideoCopilot.com. They have a great tutorial and plugin to enhance AE. Since the morvement is slight, you should not have to crop much. It will take some time though.

July 6th, 2010, 02:50 PM	#2
Peter Manojlovic Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 769	That's weird. Even with stabilization turned on, it should be only a few frames of hunting before it catches up. What you seem to imply, is that the whole movement of the tripod is a victim of this "motion hunting". If that's the case, then what you explain is a field order issue.. Otherwise, After Effects has a Motion Tracker feature that's very powerful...Many tutorials on the net to learn it properly. Good luck!!!

July 6th, 2010, 07:25 PM	#5
Peter Manojlovic Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 769	Hey Bruce.... This sounds strange...IS on or off, if the camera isn't moving, then there shouldn't be any hunting... I'd seriously get it checked out. Even on a tripod, the IS feature turned on shouldn't be too much of an issue..Like i say, it's only the first few frames that might give you trouble on a pan... Good luck!!!

July 7th, 2010, 11:27 AM	#6
Ann Bens Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 710	Its even in most manuals for Canon as well as Sony: turn IS off when using a tripod.