Do you guys use image stabilizer when filming handheld? at DVinfo.net

Arif Syed · April 3rd, 2010, 12:58 AM

Or do most of you guys prefer it off at all times?

Bill Watson · April 3rd, 2010, 01:43 AM

I always use it when filming hand held.

Trond Saetre · April 3rd, 2010, 01:59 AM

Same here, I always use IS when filming handheld.

Noa Put · April 3rd, 2010, 02:04 AM

Only off if the camera is on a tripod, handheld it's always on.

Colin McDonald · April 3rd, 2010, 02:15 AM

I think you will find most people will normally keep OIS on when handheld and off when the camera is on a tripod. Not sure what happens with all the various Steadicam models and similar stabilisers.

Björn Rehder · April 3rd, 2010, 02:25 AM

Only when I need to keep the camera fixated on an object. When doing handheld and you intend to do a pan or walking shot, I suggest to switch OIS off. The reason is that the OIS wants to keep the image "stable" and when panning it will result in jerky footage.
Steadycam or jib - I switch off OIS!

Noa Put · April 3rd, 2010, 02:44 AM

"When doing handheld and you intend to do a pan or walking shot, I suggest to switch OIS off"

That's interesting, in some occasions I would follow a person when holding the camera (a canon xh-a1) and always thought the OIS would be better for stabilizing the footage a bit. It actually never crossed my mind to switch it off in such a case.

Colin McDonald · April 3rd, 2010, 03:39 AM

Quote:

When doing handheld and you intend to do a pan or walking shot, I suggest to switch OIS off.

It can be better - probably depends on the individual's technique. I sometimes try it both ways and use the better take if the situation allows. If "handheld" includes using some sort of brace, it is often better without OIS when I try it.

Trond Saetre · April 3rd, 2010, 03:52 AM

Bjørn, that's interesting. Never thought handheld panning could be better without the OIS.
I'll try this myself and see if I find any differences with or without the OIS turned on.

Björn Rehder · April 3rd, 2010, 04:22 AM

Very noticeable stutter (jerkiness) esp. if doing slow to medium pans.

Tim Kolb · April 3rd, 2010, 10:59 AM

It does depend somewhat on what sort of image stabilization you have.

If you're sliding the image around the sensor, you'll lose some sharpness...stabilizers that are in the optics tend to exhibit this sort of thing less, but when they reach the "end" of the range of movement, they can have a tendency to rather obviously "hit" the limit...

I think to some extent it's a videographer preference/camera model thing... As with most of this stuff, doing some testing in advance will help you determine your personal preferences.

Michael Ojjeh · April 3rd, 2010, 05:29 PM

I keep it off all the time, I go from handheld to tripod often, so try to go to the menu on the A1 to turn the OIS on and off is pain, I used to do it with my H1, it is just a switch on the camera but I use the H1 on tripod all time so it stays off.

Sylus Harrington · April 4th, 2010, 11:36 AM

On the A1s I assigned one of the custom buttons to switch OIS on/off - the other custom button is for Zebras. This is very helpful when going from Tripod to Handled as you can activate or deactivate with the touch of a button - no need to dig in the menu for it.

Bill Grant · April 6th, 2010, 11:36 AM

I'm kinda rocknroll with OIS I always keep it on. I've never found it to be much a problem. Plus if I have floor vibration while I'm on the tripod, or the shot is zoomed all the way in, it helps keep the shot steady. So, I say try it. See what happens.
Bill

Nancy Fleming · April 7th, 2010, 06:57 AM

hi all, I never understood the concept of turning off Imagine stabilization for any reason. Could somebody enlighten me?

I always have it on and I noticed something recently in my filming.

Using a tripod, I was panning inside a rather dark church with bright windows. The windows were "floating" around . Is it due to the Image stabilization? thanks so much!!

April 3rd, 2010, 12:58 AM	#1
Arif Syed Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Elmont, New York Posts: 143	Do you guys use image stabilizer when filming handheld? Or do most of you guys prefer it off at all times?

April 3rd, 2010, 02:25 AM	#6
Björn Rehder Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Namibia Posts: 82	OIS - Handheld Only when I need to keep the camera fixated on an object. When doing handheld and you intend to do a pan or walking shot, I suggest to switch OIS off. The reason is that the OIS wants to keep the image "stable" and when panning it will result in jerky footage. Steadycam or jib - I switch off OIS!

April 3rd, 2010, 10:59 AM	#11
Tim Kolb Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Neenah, WI Posts: 547	It does depend somewhat on what sort of image stabilization you have. If you're sliding the image around the sensor, you'll lose some sharpness...stabilizers that are in the optics tend to exhibit this sort of thing less, but when they reach the "end" of the range of movement, they can have a tendency to rather obviously "hit" the limit... I think to some extent it's a videographer preference/camera model thing... As with most of this stuff, doing some testing in advance will help you determine your personal preferences. __________________ TimK Kolb Productions

April 3rd, 2010, 05:29 PM	#12
Michael Ojjeh Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 338	I keep it off all the time, I go from handheld to tripod often, so try to go to the menu on the A1 to turn the OIS on and off is pain, I used to do it with my H1, it is just a switch on the camera but I use the H1 on tripod all time so it stays off. __________________ Dragonfly Production http://www.dragonflyproduction.net/ http://www.vimeo.com/user432181

April 6th, 2010, 11:36 AM	#14
Bill Grant Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Columbia,SC Posts: 806	I'm kinda rocknroll with OIS I always keep it on. I've never found it to be much a problem. Plus if I have floor vibration while I'm on the tripod, or the shot is zoomed all the way in, it helps keep the shot steady. So, I say try it. See what happens. Bill __________________ Cinema Couture www.cinemacouture.com

April 3rd, 2010, 01:43 AM	#2
Bill Watson Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Noosa Queensland Australia Posts: 248	I always use it when filming hand held.

April 3rd, 2010, 01:59 AM	#3
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	Same here, I always use IS when filming handheld.

April 3rd, 2010, 02:04 AM	#4
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Only off if the camera is on a tripod, handheld it's always on.

April 3rd, 2010, 02:15 AM	#5
Colin McDonald Trustee Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 1,546	I think you will find most people will normally keep OIS on when handheld and off when the camera is on a tripod. Not sure what happens with all the various Steadicam models and similar stabilisers.

April 3rd, 2010, 02:44 AM	#7
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	"When doing handheld and you intend to do a pan or walking shot, I suggest to switch OIS off" That's interesting, in some occasions I would follow a person when holding the camera (a canon xh-a1) and always thought the OIS would be better for stabilizing the footage a bit. It actually never crossed my mind to switch it off in such a case.

April 3rd, 2010, 03:52 AM	#9
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	Bjørn, that's interesting. Never thought handheld panning could be better without the OIS. I'll try this myself and see if I find any differences with or without the OIS turned on.

April 3rd, 2010, 04:22 AM	#10
Björn Rehder Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Namibia Posts: 82	Very noticeable stutter (jerkiness) esp. if doing slow to medium pans.

April 4th, 2010, 11:36 AM	#13
Sylus Harrington Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 58	On the A1s I assigned one of the custom buttons to switch OIS on/off - the other custom button is for Zebras. This is very helpful when going from Tripod to Handled as you can activate or deactivate with the touch of a button - no need to dig in the menu for it.

April 7th, 2010, 06:57 AM	#15
Nancy Fleming New Boot Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Milford NH Posts: 15	need elaboration on this subject hi all, I never understood the concept of turning off Imagine stabilization for any reason. Could somebody enlighten me? I always have it on and I noticed something recently in my filming. Using a tripod, I was panning inside a rather dark church with bright windows. The windows were "floating" around . Is it due to the Image stabilization? thanks so much!!