5d with stock lens: IS is unusually noisy at DVinfo.net

Jeff Gibbs · March 29th, 2010, 10:24 AM

Hi I am the proud owner of a new 5d mark ii. I am a documentarian and so far my tests show that the image is way better than the 7d or 550d.
BUT having shot with the 7d with Canon IS lenses with the on-camera mic only (yes I am aware of all the problems with that and the workarounds) and gotten usable audio, now with the 5d I am experiencing CONTINUAL loud noise being recorded when the IS is engaged. The lens is the Canon 24-105mm. Using several Canon IS lenses with the 7d I never noticed to continual IS sound which on my 5d is loud even when people are talking, traffic going by, etc. etc. (When I turn off IS the noise goes away.)
My friend who shoots a lot with the 7d and 5d said its a bad lens--that others are far quieter. I am not talking about a small noise, its loud enough to make the audio unusable.
So is the lens bad, or is the 5d worse in this regard (picking up IS noise) than the 7d and I just have to deal with it?
Thanks!

Chris Hurd · March 29th, 2010, 10:42 AM

Yes, that's "normal" for that particular lens. You'll want to switch off the IS.

See these previous discussions:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...ml#post1435976

and

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...ml#post1206800

Hope this helps,

Jeff Gibbs · March 30th, 2010, 06:03 AM

The IS noise from the same lens was almost almost totally absent on a 550d that I tried it on. So I guess the 5d just picks up more camera/lens noise than the 7d or 550d?

Jeff Gibbs · March 30th, 2010, 12:56 PM

Here is some test video and you can see the 5d picks up waaaay more IS noise than the 550d with the same lens. Is this just the way it is, or is there an issue with my new camera? I realize the 5d picks up IS noise but way more than the other cameras? By the way this was shot through a window if you couldn't tell.

Jeff Gibbs · March 30th, 2010, 03:26 PM

Cody Dulock · March 31st, 2010, 10:07 AM

More than likely the microphones built into the 550d and th 7d are different than the one in the 5d. The 5d's mic could be more sensitive than the other two, but it's really hard to say.

Jon Fairhurst · March 31st, 2010, 11:55 AM

It could be the same mic, but different programming of the AK4646 audio chip.

Tony Davies-Patrick · March 31st, 2010, 12:01 PM

You couldn't actually use the audio in either clip... so does it really matter?

Bill Binder · March 31st, 2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Fairhurst

It could be the same mic, but different programming of the AK4646 audio chip.

It also could be related to physical location or connection of the mic. IS after all is a physical thing moving, creating physical vibrations that are -- beyond sound waves themselves -- easily picked up by a mic that is physically mounted to the same thing that is vibrating. Think of two different setups: (1) a super sensitive ambient mic on a mic stand where the hardwood floor is being vibrated by people walking, and (2) the same mic in the same room but with a pro shockmount. Same mic, same room, same ambient noise... VERY different result.

Jeff Gibbs · March 31st, 2010, 08:32 PM

Thanks for the input, yes actually I can and DO use on-camera audio (at times) in feature films.

I just shot some fly on the wall stuff on the streets of NYC with the 7d and GH1 on-camera mics and the audio is very usable. No IS noise at all. Certainly not optimal but very servicable.

Some of most important scenes in the last film I worked on, CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY were shot with an HV20 with an on-camera mic. When we can we have a full crew with HDCAM and a sound recordist--not always possible.

Hence I want to shoot with 5d and retain the option to not attach a mic if needed or bring along an audio guy. It would be ironic if the 5d was worse in this regard than the 7d and 550d because the image quality is so very stunning.

But I am thinking that perhaps the way the 5d lens/body performs varies widely from unit to unit right now so maybe I can get a slightly better one. A colleague shot with the 5d recently in North Carolina and I just checked some of his footage with the same lens in a quiet environment and he had no IS noise apparent. Another returned a rental 5d when it picked up too much IS noise and got one that was quieter.

So maybe I should send mine back and try a different 5d. And alas I am in northern Michigan and know of no other 5d owners hereabouts to allow a comparison.

Robyn Sands · April 2nd, 2010, 07:18 AM

I had that lens and heard none of the noise you're getting.
I returned it and bought the 24mm prime- but for other reasons.

March 29th, 2010, 10:24 AM	#1
Jeff Gibbs Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 38	5d with stock lens: IS is unusually noisy Hi I am the proud owner of a new 5d mark ii. I am a documentarian and so far my tests show that the image is way better than the 7d or 550d. BUT having shot with the 7d with Canon IS lenses with the on-camera mic only (yes I am aware of all the problems with that and the workarounds) and gotten usable audio, now with the 5d I am experiencing CONTINUAL loud noise being recorded when the IS is engaged. The lens is the Canon 24-105mm. Using several Canon IS lenses with the 7d I never noticed to continual IS sound which on my 5d is loud even when people are talking, traffic going by, etc. etc. (When I turn off IS the noise goes away.) My friend who shoots a lot with the 7d and 5d said its a bad lens--that others are far quieter. I am not talking about a small noise, its loud enough to make the audio unusable. So is the lens bad, or is the 5d worse in this regard (picking up IS noise) than the 7d and I just have to deal with it? Thanks!

March 29th, 2010, 10:42 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Yes, that's "normal" for that particular lens. You'll want to switch off the IS. See these previous discussions: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...ml#post1435976 and http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...ml#post1206800 Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

March 30th, 2010, 12:56 PM	#4
Jeff Gibbs Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 38	Here is some test video and you can see the 5d picks up waaaay more IS noise than the 550d with the same lens. Is this just the way it is, or is there an issue with my new camera? I realize the 5d picks up IS noise but way more than the other cameras? By the way this was shot through a window if you couldn't tell. 550d IS noise test on Vimeo Last edited by Jeff Gibbs; March 30th, 2010 at 01:02 PM. Reason: add clarification

March 30th, 2010, 03:26 PM	#5
Jeff Gibbs Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 38	the 5d w same lens 5d IS noise test on Vimeo

March 31st, 2010, 11:55 AM	#7
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	It could be the same mic, but different programming of the AK4646 audio chip. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

March 30th, 2010, 06:03 AM	#3
Jeff Gibbs Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 38	The IS noise from the same lens was almost almost totally absent on a 550d that I tried it on. So I guess the 5d just picks up more camera/lens noise than the 7d or 550d?

March 31st, 2010, 10:07 AM	#6
Cody Dulock Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: arlington, texas Posts: 420	More than likely the microphones built into the 550d and th 7d are different than the one in the 5d. The 5d's mic could be more sensitive than the other two, but it's really hard to say.

March 31st, 2010, 12:01 PM	#8
Tony Davies-Patrick Trustee Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 1,589	You couldn't actually use the audio in either clip... so does it really matter? __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.NIKON.me.uk

March 31st, 2010, 08:32 PM	#10
Jeff Gibbs Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 38	Thanks for the input, yes actually I can and DO use on-camera audio (at times) in feature films. I just shot some fly on the wall stuff on the streets of NYC with the 7d and GH1 on-camera mics and the audio is very usable. No IS noise at all. Certainly not optimal but very servicable. Some of most important scenes in the last film I worked on, CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY were shot with an HV20 with an on-camera mic. When we can we have a full crew with HDCAM and a sound recordist--not always possible. Hence I want to shoot with 5d and retain the option to not attach a mic if needed or bring along an audio guy. It would be ironic if the 5d was worse in this regard than the 7d and 550d because the image quality is so very stunning. But I am thinking that perhaps the way the 5d lens/body performs varies widely from unit to unit right now so maybe I can get a slightly better one. A colleague shot with the 5d recently in North Carolina and I just checked some of his footage with the same lens in a quiet environment and he had no IS noise apparent. Another returned a rental 5d when it picked up too much IS noise and got one that was quieter. So maybe I should send mine back and try a different 5d. And alas I am in northern Michigan and know of no other 5d owners hereabouts to allow a comparison.

April 2nd, 2010, 07:18 AM	#11
Robyn Sands New Boot Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New York, NY Posts: 8	I had that lens and heard none of the noise you're getting. I returned it and bought the 24mm prime- but for other reasons.