Digital Camera World - UK (2020-04)

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com APRIL 2020 DIGITAL CAMERA^59

CAMERA COLLEGE

Pro: Visible effect

You can see the effect of lens-

based image stabilisation in a

DSLR’s optical viewfinder, as well

as a mirrorless camera’s EVF.

Pro: More control

As you can see at the top of the

page, you tend to get more control

over the IS performance in a lens-

based system.

Con: Slow lenses

Stabilised lenses usually have

slower maximum apertures,

which can result in restrictions

on shutter speeds.

Con: Cost

Lenses with IS units tend to cost

more than their non-stabilised

counterparts and, due to the

extra elements inside, are heavier.

Pros and cons

What are the main advantages and disadvantages of a lens-based optical stabiliser?

Which mode?

Many lenses feature more than

one stabilisation option

Image stabilisation used to be

found where it was seen to have

the biggest benefit – heavy, high-

magnification telephoto lenses – but

now it’s included in everything from kit

lenses to macro lenses. It is rare to find

it built into fast lenses – those that have

very wide maximum apertures, such

as f/1.4 and f/1.8 – but attach one of

these to a compatible camera that

features IBIS, and you get a tempting

combination of both a large aperture

and stabilisation when you need it.

One advantage that lens stabilisers

have over IBIS is that they can be

switched on or off using a physical

switch rather than having to dip into

a menu. Although some lenses have

a simple on/off setting, this doesn’t

necessarily mean that the stabilisation

is either fully on or off; the lens may use

‘intelligent’ stabilisation that can detect

if you are panning the camera to follow

a moving subject, and it will stop trying

to correct movement in that direction.

Other lenses have a mode switch

where you have to set either the

standard stabilisation or the panning

mode. Some lenses have an additional

option, such as a Sport mode, which is

typically designed to give a viewfinder

image that’s easier on the eye when

you’re shooting active subjects.

Action correction

The third option is usually a mode that’s optimised for

easier framing of fast, erratic action in the viewfinder.

In some lenses, the full stabilisation may not kick in

until you take a picture, saving on battery life.

On or off?

Some lenses automatically shift back

and forth between standard and panning

mode when stabilisation is on.

Panning correction

With this Canon lens, Mode 2 only

corrects movement in one axis – ideal

when you’re panning the camera.