Steadyshot on PD150

Lucas Hall · August 15th, 2003, 03:02 PM

Do you wedding videographers with a good amount of handheld shots have your Steadyshot mode "on" or "off" ? I tried it and didn't see any difference in quality. What do others do?

Thanks,
Lucas

Lou Bruno · August 15th, 2003, 05:39 PM

Keep it on. The optical steadyshot is superior to other cameras;especially those with EIS. No degradation of picture quality.

Mike Rehmus · August 15th, 2003, 06:38 PM

Steadyshot is normally left on on my cameras. I turn it off if I know I'll be around strong electrical signals as that drives it crazy.

Also when shooting at night with point light sources including car headlights, the internal lens reflections look like fireflies unless the camera is locked down on a tripod. Turning off Steadyshot will make the fireflies alight, not stop them. But if they are not moving, the are not very noticable.

Scott Anderson · August 15th, 2003, 09:07 PM

I have a VX2000, which uses the same image stabilization as the PD150, and I have to say it's one of the best I've ever used!

I second what Lou said - It's my common practice to have it on when I'm handheld, as it doesn't degrade the image at all. So for handheld, definitely Steadyshot mode "on".

When I'm shooting on a tripod, I have a very nice fluid head. I find that the Steadyshot mode "on" imparts a very slight lag at the beginning and end of pans and tilts. It's kind of annonying to me, so I turn it "off". However, if you have a less than smooth fluid head and find yourself struggling to get smooth moves then turn it on. Then consider investing in a better head ;-)

Boyd Ostroff · August 15th, 2003, 10:31 PM

I have to agree with everything Scott says. I'd just add one other note: awhile ago I was shooting a performance from the back of our historic opera house. There tends to be a fair amount of vibration in the floor in this old wooden building and this showed up on the extreme telephoto shots. Turning on SteadyShot greatly improved the results, so there may be some cases where you would want to use it along with a tripod.

August 15th, 2003, 03:02 PM	#1
Lucas Hall Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 45	Steadyshot on PD150 - on or off Do you wedding videographers with a good amount of handheld shots have your Steadyshot mode "on" or "off" ? I tried it and didn't see any difference in quality. What do others do? Thanks, Lucas

August 15th, 2003, 05:39 PM	#2
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	Keep it on. The optical steadyshot is superior to other cameras;especially those with EIS. No degradation of picture quality. __________________ Lou Bruno

August 15th, 2003, 06:38 PM	#3
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Steadyshot is normally left on on my cameras. I turn it off if I know I'll be around strong electrical signals as that drives it crazy. Also when shooting at night with point light sources including car headlights, the internal lens reflections look like fireflies unless the camera is locked down on a tripod. Turning off Steadyshot will make the fireflies alight, not stop them. But if they are not moving, the are not very noticable. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

August 15th, 2003, 09:07 PM	#4
Scott Anderson Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 327	I have a VX2000, which uses the same image stabilization as the PD150, and I have to say it's one of the best I've ever used! I second what Lou said - It's my common practice to have it on when I'm handheld, as it doesn't degrade the image at all. So for handheld, definitely Steadyshot mode "on". When I'm shooting on a tripod, I have a very nice fluid head. I find that the Steadyshot mode "on" imparts a very slight lag at the beginning and end of pans and tilts. It's kind of annonying to me, so I turn it "off". However, if you have a less than smooth fluid head and find yourself struggling to get smooth moves then turn it on. Then consider investing in a better head ;-)

August 15th, 2003, 10:31 PM	#5
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	I have to agree with everything Scott says. I'd just add one other note: awhile ago I was shooting a performance from the back of our historic opera house. There tends to be a fair amount of vibration in the floor in this old wooden building and this showed up on the extreme telephoto shots. Turning on SteadyShot greatly improved the results, so there may be some cases where you would want to use it along with a tripod.