Stabilization TodayBattling camera shake? Camera and lens manufacturers lend a hand. |
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Page 4 of 5 Does Stabilization Really Work? In a word, yes. While I don’t have extensive experience with the electronic systems, I’ve shot more than 150,000 images with Canon IS and Nikon VR lenses, plus several thousand more with sensor-shift cameras. All the stabilizing systems I’ve used (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Konica Minolta) have given me noticeably sharper images at all the shutter speeds I use. Just how effective stabilization is depends on the lens focal length and shooting conditions, but I’ve found that these systems will provide equivalent results three shutter speeds slower than without stabilization: If you can get sharp handheld results with a 300mm lens down to 1⁄250 sec., you should be able to get equal results at a shutter speed of 1⁄30 sec. with stabilization. It’s worth repeating—stabilization reduces the effects of camera movement, but can’t do anything about subject movement. If your subject is moving and you’re shooting at a slow shutter speed, there will be some blur. You can use this creatively; pan the camera with the subject (to get a fairly sharp subject against a blurred background) or lock the camera on a tripod so that stationary portions of the scene stay sharp while the moving portions blur. Using Stabilized Gear There are two essential factors to keep in mind when using stabilized gear. Remember to switch the system on and give it a second or so to do its thing before you fully depress the shutter button to make the exposure. Of course, it’s also important to hold the camera properly, as steadily as possible—see your camera manual for the best way for its particular shape/configuration. Don’t get sloppy and use stabilization as a crutch. Some stabilizer lenses provide two stabilization modes: In one, the stabilizing system counteracts both vertical and horizontal movement of the camera, ideal for photographing stationary subjects; in the other, the system counteracts only vertical movement, allowing you to pan the camera to track a moving subject, such as a racing car. Sigma’s new 18-200mm OS lens improves on this technology with a system that automatically detects panning and disables horizontal stabilization while maintaining vertical stabilization—no manual mode switching is required.   |
