Image Stabilizer

[Digital Keeper]

I was looking at getting the Canon 70-200 IS f2.8 telephoto lens. The non-IS lens is a little cheaper and I was wondering if the IS makes a huge difference or not between the two. The only thing that I could think of that it might matter is when you zoom in to 200mm when shooting sporting events for example.

Any thoughts on the comparison of the two?

Thanks

[inkista]

The longer the lens and the slower the shutter speed is, the more important IS is, the faster your shutter speed, the less important IS is.

The rule of thumb (and I stress it's just a guideline, not a hard and fast limit) for eliminating camera shake blur from photos while handholding, is to use a shutter speed of 1/focal_length or faster. So, for an unstabilized 200mm lens, that means 1/200s or faster.

With sports, chances are good you're probably going to be shooting at an even higher shutter speed to eliminate subject motion blur (something IS can't help you with--only a faster shutter speed can do that). So, in that case, IS isn't much help.

However, if you're inside, and taking a picture of someone who isn't moving very quickly, and 1/60s could get the shot, if you didn't have IS, the camera shake blur would mess up the shot, while with IS, you could still get a non-shake-blurred image.

If you were planning on using the 70-200 indoors for available light portraiture, then IS would probably be a really good investment. If you're planning on using the lens exclusively for outdoors sports in bright sunlight, then you could probably ditch IS, or even go for the f/4 non-IS version (which is about half the price of the f/2.8 versions).

[autofocus]

me personally...? I'd go the extra bucks (or wait until I had them) for the IS lens which should give you 2 -3 extra stops to play with.

[RichardTaylor]

Shooting sports is not the main reason to use IS. It will not stop subject motion, but will help when panning.

The main reason is that it will allow you to shoot, hand held, at slower shutter speeds than you normally can - at any focal length.
This gives you more control over DOF, recorded subject motion, and the ability to shoot in lower light.

Comparison
See this for the IS version,

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review

and this for the non IS version:
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review

The bottom line:
If you are shooting hand held the an IS lens will allow you to capture images that a non IS lens cant.

I use four IS lenses, but do not own a 70-200 IS (I have a non IS version, the F4 L).

[Digital Keeper]

thanks for the advice.

that helps a lot.

Ditto to what everyone else said. When you shoot sports, you're usually in the 1/250-1/500 range, and IS doesn't matter.

I have the Sigma 70-200 f2.8, and mainly use it for weddings. During the ceremony, it's on a tripod so the IS isn't necessary. It would be nice to have for the reception, but not a huge deal.

You might look at the Sigma...it's a whole lot cheaper ($750) and a pretty nice lens. Sigma is coming out with the 70-200mm f2.8 IS later this year (my friend is trying to talk me into buying it).

[Rajah Sulayman]

Originally Posted by inkista

The rule of thumb (and I stress it's just a guideline, not a hard and fast limit) for eliminating camera shake blur from photos while handholding, is to use a shutter speed of 1/focal_length or faster. So, for an unstabilized 200mm lens, that means 1/200s or faster.

Just wanted to append this long-standing rule of conventional wisdom with something that is often overlooked: Correct for crop factor

In other words, if you're shooting with a 200mm lens on a Canon (1.6x crop), you'll want to keep your shutter speed at 1/320s.

[MJDigitalArt]

I will just add this... I have a friend who bought a 70-200 non IS lens to save a few bucks, and is now looking to sell it so she can go ahead and buy the IS one.

My rule of thumb is ... figure out what you want, and then don't cut corners. Do your homework, and save up and pay for the best equipment you can afford... it's cheaper than having to save for a new upgrade later.....