Photography Hints & Tips

Image Stabilization

Canon have a range of lenses with IS (Image Stabilization) built in, whilst Nikon have a similar range with VR (Vibration Reduction).

Both manufactures lenses do they same type of thing, they help reduce camera shake by means of internal components within the lens which allows sharp images at lower shutter speeds. On my Canon IS lenses (70-200mm F2.8L IS & 500mm F4L IS) you can hear the internal parts working to help produce a sharper image.

Without an Image Stabilization system, photographs at 1/60th of a second handheld with a 500mm lens would almost certainly be a blurry image.

However, the Kingfisher photograph in My Wildlife & Nature Website on Flickr was taken with a Canon 500mm F4L IS Lens handheld at 1/50th second and is sharp.

Some compact cameras (including my Canon Ixus 850IS) have image stabilization built in and again this helps you take a sharp photograph in lower light with a slow shutter speed.

So is an image stabilization system worth having, my answer is YES.

I have taken so many photographs in low light situations where using a flash was not practicable and the IS system has helped ensure a sharp handheld image.

Yes image stabilization lenses and some camera's with it built in are sometimes more expensive, but it's worth the extra money.