Image Stabilization questions at DVinfo.net

Richard Adams · November 27th, 2006, 11:56 PM

I've had the camera for a couple of days. So far it seems like an excellent piece of equipment. Fun to use, well designed and excellent image (although it is my first HD camera so I am not making any comparative judgments).

Does anyone know a way to quickly activate/deactivate image stabilization? This is important to me because I switch between hand held and tripod mounted fairly frequently. On a tripod the image stabilization tends to drift around so it is necessary to turn it off. As far as I can tell this can only be done throught the menu, is that correct?

Also for pans, is it recommended to have OIS off? I am guessing that it is.

Chris Hurd · November 28th, 2006, 12:03 AM

You'll want the OIS turned off any time the camera is mounted on a tripod.

Unfortunately there is no quick way to turn OIS on or off. We were just discussing this annoyance in another thread. Canon decided not to put a physical OIS on / off switch on the camera body, and neglected to map one of the Custom Keys to toggle OIS. So you're stuck with digging through the menu. Which is a shame, because it *easily* could have been a Custom Keys option.

Richard Adams · November 28th, 2006, 07:27 AM

Thanks for that info. That is a bummer. I actually didn't find any of the Custom Key options very useful so far. Having OIS on there would have been a big help for me.

Steve Nunez · November 28th, 2006, 07:56 AM

Richard, I feel your pain.....I too need a quick way to enable/disable OIS and find myself having to get into the menu to do so.......perhaps in a firmware update they may allow us to do this- who knows!

Doug Bennett · November 28th, 2006, 11:12 AM

Is there anyway Canon could provide such functionality with a firmware update? I also wish that the custom preset (on the H1) that toggles zebras on and off could also toggle between say 70 and 95.

Bill Pryor · November 28th, 2006, 11:21 AM

Maybe if we all yell loud enough we can get that custom key for the stabilizer. Chris--how about we come up with a petition of sorts from all A1 owners on here, and potential purchasers, and maybe you can figure out a way to get it to Canon? Hell, I'd be willing to pay 50 bucks if they'd send me an SD card with this upgrade. (Don't have to put that in the petition.)

Bogdan Tyburczy · November 28th, 2006, 11:43 AM

I support Bill's idea and I'd gladly add another $100 for LCD/EVF flip.

Is such petition realistic? Will they listen?

Bill Pryor · November 28th, 2006, 12:23 PM

Let's don't throw money at them--50 bucks for all the upgrades we're talking about; that includes the SD card, which would be an incentive to send us the cards rather than wanting us to send in the cameras. Seems to me the monitor flip would be easy, since it already flips when you turn it over--just undo that flip function so it goes upside down, and then you have that option for using a Redrock.

Bogdan Tyburczy · November 28th, 2006, 02:35 PM

OIS control under Custom Keys definitely sounds like possible firmware update, but I'm afraid LCD flip in A1/G1 is hardware-controlled. However, I feel image flip functionality is built in Digic II HD processor. We all know it's in XL-H1, though very limited.

Upgrade via SD card would be the best, but I'd be happy even if they required sending cameras in.

Adam Reuter · December 1st, 2006, 04:23 PM

Maybe a "firmware request" petition for all stuff that could be easily changed via software.

To start the list:

- Allow OIS on/off setting assignable to custom key.

- Allow users to disable the color bars switch while recording

- LCD Image flip (for 35mm adapters)

- Zebra setting toggle (between IRE settings, not just on/off)

November 27th, 2006, 11:56 PM	#1
Richard Adams Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York, NY, United States Posts: 30	Image Stabilization questions I've had the camera for a couple of days. So far it seems like an excellent piece of equipment. Fun to use, well designed and excellent image (although it is my first HD camera so I am not making any comparative judgments). Does anyone know a way to quickly activate/deactivate image stabilization? This is important to me because I switch between hand held and tripod mounted fairly frequently. On a tripod the image stabilization tends to drift around so it is necessary to turn it off. As far as I can tell this can only be done throught the menu, is that correct? Also for pans, is it recommended to have OIS off? I am guessing that it is.

November 28th, 2006, 12:03 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	You'll want the OIS turned off any time the camera is mounted on a tripod. Unfortunately there is no quick way to turn OIS on or off. We were just discussing this annoyance in another thread. Canon decided not to put a physical OIS on / off switch on the camera body, and neglected to map one of the Custom Keys to toggle OIS. So you're stuck with digging through the menu. Which is a shame, because it easily could have been a Custom Keys option. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

November 28th, 2006, 07:56 AM	#4
Steve Nunez Trustee Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida Posts: 1,418	Richard, I feel your pain.....I too need a quick way to enable/disable OIS and find myself having to get into the menu to do so.......perhaps in a firmware update they may allow us to do this- who knows! __________________ Steve Nunez-New York City www.stevenunez.com

December 1st, 2006, 04:23 PM	#10
Adam Reuter Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 234	Petition Online Maybe a "firmware request" petition for all stuff that could be easily changed via software. To start the list: - Allow OIS on/off setting assignable to custom key. - Allow users to disable the color bars switch while recording - LCD Image flip (for 35mm adapters) - Zebra setting toggle (between IRE settings, not just on/off)

November 28th, 2006, 07:27 AM	#3
Richard Adams Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York, NY, United States Posts: 30	Thanks for that info. That is a bummer. I actually didn't find any of the Custom Key options very useful so far. Having OIS on there would have been a big help for me.

November 28th, 2006, 11:12 AM	#5
Doug Bennett Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 260	Is there anyway Canon could provide such functionality with a firmware update? I also wish that the custom preset (on the H1) that toggles zebras on and off could also toggle between say 70 and 95.

November 28th, 2006, 11:21 AM	#6
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Maybe if we all yell loud enough we can get that custom key for the stabilizer. Chris--how about we come up with a petition of sorts from all A1 owners on here, and potential purchasers, and maybe you can figure out a way to get it to Canon? Hell, I'd be willing to pay 50 bucks if they'd send me an SD card with this upgrade. (Don't have to put that in the petition.)

November 28th, 2006, 11:43 AM	#7
Bogdan Tyburczy Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 161	I support Bill's idea and I'd gladly add another $100 for LCD/EVF flip. Is such petition realistic? Will they listen?

November 28th, 2006, 12:23 PM	#8
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Let's don't throw money at them--50 bucks for all the upgrades we're talking about; that includes the SD card, which would be an incentive to send us the cards rather than wanting us to send in the cameras. Seems to me the monitor flip would be easy, since it already flips when you turn it over--just undo that flip function so it goes upside down, and then you have that option for using a Redrock.

November 28th, 2006, 02:35 PM	#9
Bogdan Tyburczy Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 161	OIS control under Custom Keys definitely sounds like possible firmware update, but I'm afraid LCD flip in A1/G1 is hardware-controlled. However, I feel image flip functionality is built in Digic II HD processor. We all know it's in XL-H1, though very limited. Upgrade via SD card would be the best, but I'd be happy even if they required sending cameras in.