image stabilization?

[Rubey84]

my question is, how much does image stabilization on a lens actually matter? im looking into getting a new lens and there seems to be a big price difference. what exactly is it, how much does it really do, and is it worth the cost?

thanks for the help

[aropilot]

short reply here: worth every penny.

I just got my first one Friday, a Tamron 18-270 and used it this weekend. I was amazed at the difference in how I can take pictures and how it works.
I've learned from others though, turn it off if using it on a tripod.

[OsmosisStudios]

Short reply here: it depends.

There's a reason you never see a stabilizer on an ultra-wide: it's totally unnecessary. There's a reason you almost always see a stabilizer on a telephoto: it's often considered necessary.

The application often determines whether IS/VR/whatever is worth the extra money. In my book, anything above a 100mm (35mm equiv) would benefit from some form of stabilizer but I dont feel it to be a true asset until 200mm (35mm equiv) or higher.

That being said, with proper technique and know-how, stabilizers arent at all required. Remember, when we shot film, there was no IS/VR.

[Rubey84]

so you guys are saying that for fifty bucks and fifty mm the canon would be the way to go?
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS

[inkista]

Depends on what you're shooting and whether you need the reach more, or the IS. Every lens has an individual character, and individual tradeoffs.

Remember that you could probably get as much (or more) stabilization with a monopod or tripod with the 70-300. And that will work with all your lenses. However, the 55-250 is optically nice for the price, and has IS, but without USM it's not going to be blazingly fast on the autofocus if you were planning on using it for fast action photography like sports or birds. If you plan on shooting still subject matter in lower light, the IS is going to be useful.

Also be aware that IS has limits. It's not going to let you handhold for full-second exposures.

As for only on telephotos, again, it depends. I've found the IS quite useful on my 24-105L when I'm shooting at dusk handheld. And stabilization makes my G9 a lot more usable than otherwise. But it all depends on what you're shooting. IS won't help you freeze subject motion.


Canon XT/350D. EF 24-105 f/4L IS USM. @24mm. iso 200, f/7.1, 1/8s. handheld.