Does Image Stabilization work when shooting movies?

[Harry Bromley-Davenport]

Can anyone tell me whether Image Stabilization is supposed to work when shooting movies with IS lenses? Or perhaps only with still pictures?

I can't seem to get any stabilization when in Movie mode. I'm using a Rebel 3ti with two IS lenses - the 17-55mm and the 55-250mm

Thanks,

Harry.

[Nigel Barker]

It certainly does work at taking out the handheld jitters but don't expect miracles. It's designed for helping still photographs which only need stability for a fraction of a second not like the IS on a camcorder. I also have a 600D(T3i) with the 17-55mm F/2.8 IS. You can clearly see the difference on the LCD screen when you turn the IS off & then back on that the image is more stable with IS on.

[John Wiley]

It does work, but it doesn't make handheld footage look magically amazing. The main difference I've noticed is it takes out tiny 'micro-jitters' - tiny movements caused by the poor ergonomics of the camera for video work (ie hands too close to the centre of gravity to remove shake).

I've only got one IS lens, the EF-S 17-85, as I'd much prefer to always use proper support for the camera such as a tripod or monopod. I only turn to IS as a last resort when other options are not possible.

[Harry Bromley-Davenport]

Thank you both very much for the replies.

I can't see any IS effect at all - I've truly tested.

So yesterday I sent it back to Canon in their Irvine place to see the doctor.

Thanks again. You have confirmed my suspicion that something is wrong in the State Of Denmark. I see IS on the LCD, but not on the recorded image.

Best

Harry.

[Greg Fiske]

Does your finger need to stay on the shutter button to keep it activated? I've read that the 70-200 II has a modern IS. I've use the 100mm with minimal support with a lot of success.

[Stephen J. Williams]

I just filmed a pre wedding video with just a t2i and a is lens (had to travel light)... with IS on I was able to get the handheld shots that I was looking for. With it off it would have been a different story.

I don't think your going to be able to fly around your subjects with IS on and expect anything professional looking.

[Paul Digges]

I've shot at 200mm with the 70-200 (first gen) and it's been pretty good at taking out the shakes for sure. It's not like putting on a Steadicam, but it definitely takes the footage from meh, to totally usable.

I wonder how the second gen fares though as it's got the newest Canon IS tech in it.

[Harry Bromley-Davenport]

Thank you all for your advice.

I've sent the camera and lenses in to Canon's service place in Irvine CA. After what you guys have said, I am now certain that my I.S. is faulty since it has not the slightest effect under my test conditions - and I was not expecting much.

Thanks again,

Harry.

[Andy Wilkinson]

Harry,

Maybe there is a dirty contact problem with your camera??? The body needs to supply power to the lense for the IS system to work - when it's turned on (obviously!) Might be worth cleaning them or getting Canon to look at it if that does not work but if it works in Still mode but not Movie mode I really don't know - seems very odd. I don't think this is a Menu setting "option". You'll know when IS is working as you can usually hear it when you move the camera.

I regularly use Canon 17-55mm F2.8 IS and Canon 70-200mm F4 IS on my "naked" 7D hand-held (i.e. no rig) and get very nice, usable video footage, even on the long end of the telephoto. Sure, tripods etc. are better but that does not always meet my needs.

I also have the Canon 100mm F2.8 IS Macro and this has the latest IS system called Hybrid Image Stabilisation. I get excellent video from that, hand-held as well (but when using it in macro mode it's much better to use a tripod for reasons we all know well). Lovely glass...

Paul,

I've been unable to tell if the HIS is significantly better than the older IS (although the theory suggests it certainly should be). In the past I've done identical shot comparative tests with the 70-200mm set at 100mm and the 100mm Macro on my 7D. The results were inconclusive image stabilisation wise - but both seemed pretty good which is all that matters in the end! The Macro won on dreamy bokeh though. For sure, switching off IS (or HIS) on any of these lenses soon results in micro-jitters and totally unwatchable video.

Sure, as we've all mentioned many times before on the various DSLR forums you get the "grinding gear" and clicking noises from the image stabilisation when it's on which makes DSLR on-board audio capture (even more) poor - but if it's important you'll be doing double system sound anyway.

[Paul Digges]

Andy,
Thanks for the info. I somehow figured that despite it's huge advancements for stills that it wouldn't translate to video.

I bet that 100mm looked gorgeous!

[Harry Bromley-Davenport]

Thanks for all the details, Andy.

I sent it all over to Canon near LA.

Best

Harry

[Alan Halfhill]

Yes, I wish more lenses had it. All this excitement over primes and none except the EF 100 Macro has it. Canon needs to turn the EF 24-70 f2.8 into an IS lens. I have the EF 24-105 f4 IS for that reason alone.

IS is one of the best inventions for video shooting. My use of it goes back to Sony's TR-101 Hi8 camera. I got shots with that camera I could not get with my Betacam.

Now with HDSLR's it is essential to have IS lenses because of the CMOS rolling shutter. I have had to edit a few videos where rolling shutter ruined shots I needed because the camera was handheld. This would not have been a problem with IS. I turn the IS on and it goes away.

I usually use my Canon 60D with out a rig for handheld. All of my reports from NAB for FrugalFilmmakers.com Filmmaking & Photography were done with the 24-105 with IS turned on. I also handhold my EF 70-200 f4 IS as well.

Also when using the 640x480 crop mode in the 60D IS is a great help because the image is so magnified. This was shot on a heavy DV6 Satchler tripod.
‪60D Crop Mode Deer Footage‬‏ - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/embed/yKljnKA9iSQ

Here I am with my handheld rig. The camera is mounted on a CamCaddie which I brace against my body. I also have a Hoodman Loupe on my flipout LCD on my 60D.

[Paul Digges]

Alan, did your experience with the IS eliminating the rolling shutter effect happen to include any negating of the effect you get when a flash is blasting away at what you're shooting?

I need to go back and look at some of My 70-200 shot footage and see if it did cancel that out. If that were the case I'm immediately going to start saving up for the 17-55mm Ef-s IS.

[Alan Halfhill]

Originally Posted by Paul Digges

Alan, did your experience with the IS eliminating the rolling shutter effect happen to include any negating of the effect you get when a flash is blasting away at what you're shooting?

I need to go back and look at some of My 70-200 shot footage and see if it did cancel that out. If that were the case I'm immediately going to start saving up for the 17-55mm Ef-s IS.

No. IS has nothing to do with that. That type of rolling shutter is caused by the electronics in the camera. IS only helps with the camera shaking.

[Ronald Jackson]

It most certainly works on my Canon XLH1 camcorder with Canon "35mm" glass, specifically the newish 70-300L.

Doubt I'd use this lot hand held (7.2x crop) but excellent on a tripod,mainly static shots. The "experts" say don't use on a 'pod but I do, specifically in windy conditions. The lens has two IS settings and I use the higher one.

The standard 20x zoom with its IS can be used hand held, and is v good but v tiring after a while, but not relevant to this post I guess,


Ron