Leonard Levy
March 20th, 2010, 08:54 PM
I'm sure this has been addressed before but here goes anyway:
I have a question about the image stabilization lenses. I only see Canon IS lenses listed for the long lenses like the 70-200 but not for wide or mid range zooms like the 24-70. Though the APS lens for the 7D 17-55 is an IS lens. I don't see it for the normal or shorter tele lenses though it is on 17-55.
How come? When do you start needing the image stabilization.
I just ordered a Tamron 17-50 VC lens. Was the image stabilization a waste of money?
Manus Sweeney
March 21st, 2010, 03:52 AM
the 17-50 range is probably the one you would most ofter use handheld, so the IS (if you ever shoot without tripod) will definitely be useful
Norman Pogson
March 21st, 2010, 07:43 AM
If you are recording sound, the image stabilization system might be noisy.
Mike Peterson
March 21st, 2010, 09:23 AM
I have the Tamron 17-50 non VC and wish it was the VC version (great lens though). I will eventually get the VC version.
Jay Houser
March 21st, 2010, 09:45 AM
The IS or VC is important, I bought the Tamron 17-50mm VC just to get the image stabilization. I already owned a Canon 16-35mm L. The Tamron and the Tokina 11-16mm make a great combination for the 7D.
Tony Davies-Patrick
March 21st, 2010, 11:45 AM
The IC/VR lenses hold the biggest advantage with telephoto lenses of 200-400mm range on full-frame bodies like 5D/D700 or 180-300mm on 7D/D300s; although this mainly applies to stills because tripods should always be used for video when using these telephoto lenses and IS turned off.
When using wide-medium telephoto for video it all depends how steady you are at hand-holding cameras. In steady hands IS is not really needed for anything wider than a 28mm lens (full-frame equiv), so lenses such as the non-IS Tokina 11-16mm will provide smooth and steady stills & video in most circumstances.
The IS lenses should not be used in combination with a steadicam/glidecam, and you'll get far better results with the IS switched off.
However, at the longer end of lenses such as the 24-105mm IS it can sometimes help, especially when on a 1.6 crop factor body like the 7D; although Norman's comments need to be taken into account if you are using in-camera or onboard mics.