ON or Off Image Stabilization When Using Tripod?

[@MrKkspeed]

From my experience, there are situations where it's better to turn the IS off. For example, when the camera is mounted on a star tracker. The stabilizer will fight the tracker's movement and results in trailing stars.

[@robinwong]

This video is about camera on tripod. Not Star-Tracker. 99.99% of photograpehrs don't have star tracker!

[@blackice5649]

Haha - Still the same old Robin (Robin - I think you raised the point about when to use it, so I think the information that bruce brings to light is very useful and illustrates how IS actually works) - I totally agree with your comment and this is very useful information regardless of whether you have a star tracker or not! There are definitely situations where IS should be turned off - one of course is the star tracker case that you mentioned, another one is if you are using a solid tripod. If you are using a tripod that is not so solid (as in the case of Robin's testing) then IS definitely helps. I guess if you are confident that your tripod is rock solid, then you can feel comfortable to turn it off. It really seems like you have to judge on case by case basis. I wonder what OM Systems recommendations are?

[@ridealongwithrandy]

Great point!

[@jeffslade1892]

I've not found that the stabiliser is in the least bothered by the slow movement of the Star-Adventurer, EQ goto (AVX) mount or Alt-Az goto. I've tried it both ways with the E-M5ii (ca 2015). At least not with the more modern 5-axes. The stabiliser can even be beneficial to take the sting out of any ground vibration. The stabiliser is not like a guider trying to keep a star on point, it only counteracts movements such as panning where you may want to take the stabiliser off. I do not have an OM-1 but it does have Starry Night AF which is something like a guider moving the sensor to keep the stars in the same place. I have no idea how that works on a tracking mount but Pentax have had similar for years.

[@jeffslade1892]

@@robinwong many photographers do take pictures of the night sky. It is more nighttime photography than actual astrophotography. There are a lot of smaller less expensive trackers available now, and they are being bought. If you want to photograph the Milky Way, a tracker is the thing to have.

[@mattisulanto]

I'm one of those who have told to turn off IS for tripod work. However, I think I have changed my mind on this and would not tell that advice any more. I never turn off the IS on my cameras for tripod work and I have no problems. Thanks, Robin.

[@robinwong]

Yeah things are slowly changing and we are so used to old beliefs! I am glad things are improving too.

[@mattisulanto]

@@robinwong Exactly. That old advice was probably true years ago, but not any more.

[@carmenfissenden2530]

Well done Robin . I am pleased that you resolved that question and now , I too can ignore switching off IS when mounting the camera on a tripod . Brilliant !

[@robinwong]

No worries, answering one question at a time!

[@ryanbudney3356]

The optimal setup will depend on how stable your camera's platform is. If your tripod is on a wooden floor, it will still move a little as things move around the room. I generally keep the stablisation on, even when on a tripod. So far it's worked quite well.

[@dunnymonster]

I'm of the belief that no tripod is truly 100% stable at a micro level so I always leave stabilisation engaged irrespective of if I tripod mount or not. This is especially true if you are using a very high Rez sensor.

[@robinwong]

Good point!

[@Centauri27]

Yes, this is what I've suspected all along. It's a hassle to turn IS off, because you invariably forget to turn it back on afterwards. I often use things like railings, garbage cans, etc. as a prop during my night photography, and IS can help with any potential ground vibrations (from traffic, etc.). But thanks for confirming this in your simple test, Robin!

[@alan.macrae]

Thank you, Robin! You're a great Sunday morning treat! Keep up the great work. Greetings from NH in the US.

[@robinwong]

Thanks, glad I can share!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Thank you for addressing this question Robin. I to get this question often. I think Olympus even compensates for the spin of the earth so stacking non tracked shots can like you said have the IS on. The only exception seams to be on a tracking mount that moves with the stars. Then it does have to be turned off.

[@paja13]

I never turn the IBIS off..this is an old thinking from DSLR ages imho.. :)

[@robinwong]

Agreed, things have changed.

[@koblih69]

Thanks for confirming what I also found out. The manual recommends to turn off stabilization, but it worked for me to leave it on. However, for longer exposures, it's a good idea to set the self-timer or use a cable shutter to prevent shake.

[@robinwong]

Yeah definitely, self timer helps! And a little experimentation will also do wonders.

[@hauke3644]

Even with my old (but still trusty) E-M5 I couldn’t find any problems with IS auto on a tripod. I believe the advice in the manual (to turn it off) is mainly to save battery life. A really sturdy tripod, suits for telephoto and long exposure, is massive. The good news: with IS a lighter one still does the job in most situations.

[@agylub]

A sturdy tripod does not guarantee anything. It is the sympathetic coupling that matters. My steel Manfrotto which weighed a ton was the worst for sympathetic vibration. The best way to shoot is to use the Olympus app on your phone to trigger the camera. Make sure it is in Electronic Shutter mode and all beeps and sounds are turned off. The platform you are on shakes as you can see on the horizon

[@metalmick99]

Thanks for taking the time to demonstrate this, and the thing I got from this most was to *test* for myself rather than just blindly follow (I'd suggest, regardless of what camera you have). I'm new to M43 in general and OM Systems in general. This was a particularly useful to me.

[@JimiCanRead]

Absolutely! When I first clicked the vid I thought “oh this will be useful, but maybe Robin will talk about something specific to Olympus that won’t apply to my camera” - but the real lesson was to find out for yourself with an experiment! Which applies to any camera and a lot of topics, not just this one! Thanks Robin 😊

[@ChrisCook]

I stopped turning IS off after too many times forgetting to turn it back on for hand held photography. I have never had an issue and your video confirms my experience.

[@christinecoughlan4699]

Thank you Robin🏵 .

[@robinwong]

No worries

[@CarmineTavernaPhotography]

Excellent video, thank you Robin

[@robinwong]

Glad I can share!

[@jeffdrew625]

Good advice and helpful tests! I gather same tips for those using monopods! I’ve tested IBIS on/off with monopods, and I’ve settled with lBIS “ ON” for those occasions. Extra support is welcome on windy days etc. Thanks for tackling this subject, Robin!

[@robinwong]

For monopods, definitely a yes! There is still a lot of movement!

[@ridealongwithrandy]

yes! especially with monopods, great point!

[@babikova123]

very good experiment.THANKS

[@davet8835]

Thanks for the demonstration ---- good info

[@robinwong]

Glad I can share

[@timoschakau5063]

Thank you for confirming my assumptions and also personal experiences. The IS is always on at my camera.

[@user-kr3xd5wh8z]

If you touch a camera on a tripod with a long telephoto lens with your finger, no matter how strong the tripod is, vibration will remain. The wind increases the shaking of the long telephoto. I always have the IS on. I use wifi trigger.

[@vrettakosalexandros]

Thank you Robin

[@donwallace7354]

Great real-life test. You can especially tell the difference in the "star" around the streetlight.

[@dougcooper4917]

Good Video and Good Information. Thank You Robin.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Doug!

[@victorwong8813]

I use the tripod mostly for moon shots. I leave it on even for a 1/250 second exposure just in case there is some minor ground shake.

[@robinwong]

Good call!

[@jeffslade1892]

Once upon a time you would need to turn the stabilisation off but they are far more sensitive and fine now. Leaving the stabiliser on will take any vibration out of the tripod. Especially true if you are near e.g. heavy traffic shaking the ground (or even an underground spring). Something you may also notice is the stabiliser aids the AF when setting up the shot.

[@justinmcq78]

Fantastic video. Just the info I was looking for!

[@robertwlester]

Helpful video. Thank you.

[@robinwong]

Glad I can share.

[@thissidetowardscreen4553]

Interesting! I never thought about IS when using my tripod, I think just having to remember to turn it on or off is more of a hassle, then just leaving it on, I am sure there is some battery drain if the camera is on, all the time. I am surprised how much movement can occur when using a tripod as well. Indoor floor shake or micro vibrations. monopod I use IS all the time, that is a given, so when it comes to a tripod, just keep it on! Keep up the great content Robin!

[@robinwong]

Thanks. The tripod I was using was not that stable, it was a lightweight travel model, so not suitable for long exposure work. Usually tripods are much sturdier with less movements.

[@JackMoskowitz]

I've been having great results with IS-Auto. Just did some milky way photography at 20 seconds. Stars were pin sharp. Using IS-Auto I don't have to think about it. Always seems to do the right thing.

[@hawaiianstarman]

What lens and fstop did you use?

[@JackMoskowitz]

@@hawaiianstarman 7-14 f2.8 @7mm. Used starry sky for focus.

[@hawaiianstarman]

I have that lens too. Do you stack your images?

[@JackMoskowitz]

@@hawaiianstarman I've tried stacking but get pretty much equivalent results without. So, no.

[@hawaiianstarman]

@@JackMoskowitz good to know. I’m using the M1Mark3 camera. I presume you’re shooting RAW. Which ISO setting are you using? And are you seeing a lot of noise in post?

[@ridealongwithrandy]

Good stuff Robin, I leave IS on with my supertele lenses, especially with the Nikon's, the EM1Xs which I have also helps. Cheers!

[@davebellamy4867]

Great demo Robin. It's good to see someone actually try it!

[@robinwong]

No worries, answering one question at a time.

[@davebellamy4867]

It would be interesting to see of the sensor movement plus electronic stabilisation is better or wose than just sensor movement - and how they compare to IS off.

[@robinwong]

Electronic stabilization is only applicable for video. There is no electronic stabilization for photo.

[@TheRoadrunner11]

On my Lumix GX80 I don't have to turn it off (though I never tested it with an extreme zoom or non native glass), but I did test up to 30 seconds exposures no problem. On my Sony A7III and adapted vintage glass (200mm-1000mm), not turning off image stabilization kills the image and causes streaking even at 1/10th of a second. However, using the 50mm native lense didn't seem to make a difference if it was off or on. So if say always test for yourself and your use case.

[@davebellamy4867]

4:46. Fifteen seconds with a million vibrating insects nearby!

[@michaeldevera9258]

Been using IS on even on long exposures with my old EM-1 mark 1and the results are just fine.

[@francishwlee]

I agree with this. I use my tripods so infrequently these days that when I do, I basically forget to deactivate IS each time. So far, I haven't seen any discernable blur that couldn't be attributed to movement in the scene or the tripod itself.

[@robinwong]

Yeah that's what happened to me too, I forgot to turn it off and I got good results

[@kaminobatto]

Interesting test, thanks for sharing! My experience with Canon EF-L glass on a non-stabilized body some 10 years back is that leaving it on ruins the shot. I learned this the hard way when I kept getting blurry shots while having an EF 70-200mm L version 2 mounted on a very sturdy Manfrotto tripod until it occurred to me to switch off the stabilization. I guess either the sensor-based stabilization is better or the stabilization technology has really evolved over the past decade.

[@coeurvision33]

Interesting test Robin, thank you ! I asked myself the same question several times !

[@cikenot90]

I never turn off the image stabilization. The only time I turn it off is when I use a third party lens without electrical connection to the body because I noticed that only then the IBIS will start to hunt for shake or vibration. Otherwise, IS-on mode works in all situation. Furthermore I don't want to get caught off guard with IS off when I'm switching from landscape to birding later.

[@user-dy8uf4ys7j]

1. Нерезкое изображение с включённой стабилизацией при съёмке на штативе наблюдалось на предыдущих моделях Olympus - ep , e-pm , e-pl. 2. Возможно 2 секунды это мало для задержки спуска. Возможно камера на штативе ещё колеблется. Может нужно больше времени , 5 секунд и более.

[@petersmitham8273]

Excellent !..

[@solarsynapse]

Attach a laser to your tripod pointing at the ground and you will see that even walking on the ground causes vibrations that you can not detect, but the camera can feel. Traffic and machinery can also cause vibrations. The longer the lens, and the more wind, the worse the problem.

[@rasmuswi]

On my E-M1 MK1 I definitely get sharper images when I turn off IS if the camera is on a tripod. But the The sharpness increase wasn't big enough to be visible when zooming in on the preview, as it was pretty crappy. The difference was only apparent when comparing images on a computer. I haven't checked with the newer cameras, I should probably check to see how it works with the E-M1X and the OM-1.

[@ddsdss256]

I don't bother turning IS off when making long exposures with my Lumix G9 and I've never noticed any loss of sharpness, regardless of the exposure (rarely more than 2 minutes). I use a Manfrotto BeFree GT XPRO Carbon tripod which is very stable, especially for a "travel" tripod.

[@earlehart2123]

thanks😀

[@davebellamy4867]

Now try the same thing with a 500mm mirror lens!🤣👍 On a windy day.🌬🌀🌪🌫 With trains coming past 🚂🚃🚄🚅🚆🚇🚈🚉🚝🚞and the neighbour playing drum and bass at full volume.🎛🎛🎛📻🎚🎚🎚🥁🥁🥁 Next to a building site.🏗🏗🧱🏢 With a stampede of rhinos going by.🦏🦏🦏🦏🦏🦏 In a thunderstorm.🌩⛈⚡⚡⚡... etc. 🌊💧🔥☄☄☄

[@michaelpopel7186]

Thank you. I had this question too for a long time.

[@chetanunindracusin664]

Thank you Robin Ps. I never try to proved it Great imfo.

[@jarihuikari8921]

I think in windy conditions there is higher risk that camera shakes on a tripod especially if you are using a long focal length. It's safer to leave IS on.

[@jornidema1884]

If you use the livecomp on your camera the camera turns the is automatically of

[@brianlaunchbury4491]

Very useful, thanks Robin.

[@cjk1943]

Love the video

[@AoyagiAichou]

I come from the Lumix side and I've been told that by the company that it's perfectly fine to leave it on, and that making it off doesn't even make all that much sense on cameras that don't actually mechanically lock the sensor in place.

[@robinwong]

Not much experience with Panasonic stuff. So I can't comment

[@DeMorcan]

I use a cheap non solid tripod sometimes with a long lens to HHHR. At 300 or 400mm I move too much for the HHHR to work. Of course HR turns the IS off.

[@johncantrell614]

I would tend to think that if it says to do that in the manual, then that may be the best advice in general. The engineers have tested this sensor quite a bit during building it, so it should be a reason they mention this. But, as always, once you have the camera, you can do what you like, and test on your own like he did, and see for yourself.

[@robinwong]

It is best to experiment it yourself. If you can guarantee completely zero movement with your tripod, then turn off the IS. Otherwise, the stabilization helps too even when camera is on tripod!

[@lancerosasen3294]

Coffee it is.

[@malcolmwright6948]

I've seen many KZbin videos suggesting that the I.S. on Micro Four Thirds is so good it does away with the need for a tripod, with some KZbinrs claiming many seconds handheld and still getting sharp images. So my guess is that if you need to use a tripod, whilst it needs to support the camera and lens, it doesn't need to be the most stable and expensive tripod you can find. So save money on your tripod and leave the I.S. on. Maybe if you spend more on your tripod than you do on your MFT camera you don't need I.S. on. However if that is the case you would need to be doing some very specific work, like star tracking.

[@davidherman1803]

You have to be Extremely Steady or Braced even with IS at any long exposure hand held ;-)

[@robinwong]

While Olympus/OM System has done wonders with their 5-Axis IS, and yes I can confidently hand-hold long exposures of 4-5 seconds no issue, but it is wise to have a sturdy tripod depending on the type of photography you do. Why gamble when you know the tripod will be infinitely more stable than human hands! And if you are getting a tripod for long exposure works, then might as well invest in something truly sturdy.

[@marklaurendet1861]

When I attended a coffee with Olympus it was indicated you could leave the IBIS turned on when using a tripod

[@robinwong]

They started this coffee thing when I was working for them as an employee. Interesting that it is still going on.

[@rhykko77]

Though I have not used Olympus or OM systems ........I have found that whether to shut off the stabilizer on lens DEPENDS . I have noticed that problems occur at different times under different conditions with different lenses ......and that sometimes performance on tripod with a given lens with stabilizer on, will be unaffected, whereas other times , the same lens on a tripod will have issues with stabilizer on , on a tripod . I do not see this as a fully predictable 'failure" even on some of the best lenses . I do suspect that what you have said about more modern designs not having fails with tripod use may be correct .

[@robinwong]

This video was made with Olympus OM-D camera discussing the 5-Axis IS inside Olympus/OM System only.

[@rutlegs]

I've always wondered why cameras couldn't be made so that it could detect when IS isn't needed and deactivate it automatically.

[@klauslehrmann3906]

Greetings. Seeing this makes me think you could do a followupvideo, regarding highres.-mode. If I recall correct, that mode automatically turns off all IS. If needing this when using highres., then what is the solution I wonder.

[@davebellamy4867]

Is there some image registering that occurs in software in high res mode between the multiple shots?

[@klauslehrmann3906]

@@davebellamy4867 I don't know. Maybe differently stabilizing each image results in too much of misalignment if the composition on each recording is too much off, resulting in a poor result.

[@robinwong]

The 5-Axis IS was used to shift the sensor (each movement half a pixel pitch distance) instead of stabilizing it. Hence you don't have stabilization when using high-res mode.

[@klauslehrmann3906]

@@robinwong I reckon when used for shifting, the IS can not also during exsposure be used for IS, then. Correct? I don't see why. If wishing to use highres., but needing IS, I see you are then in peril.

[@leckywoznicki5393]

Thank you :)

[@tremaincheerful4189]

Unfortunately, though I believe Robin is correct, I do not believe this video answers the question. The only way his experiment would prove his point is if he had used a STABLE tripod. Even before the shots were taken, the live view ON the tripod showed movement visible to the eye. Therefore, the image stabilization did it's job and corrected the visible shaking of the tripod in each test shot.

[@ivandalmonte2997]

Hi Robin, very interesting, but you performed your tests with an E-M1Mk.III, that's to say the best camera Olympus could offer at tha time. But, do you think the same considerations would also apply to my E-M5 Mk.II ? Thanks in advance!

[@fritz3388]

It is absurd to believe the modern photographer has to interfere manually once the IBIS image stabilization is switched on, switched what is a highly automated process. To believe, the camera engineers could have forgotten to build into the camera an automated detection, switch the IBIS on/off as soon as the camera is on a tripod. Of course, it must always be on, have you never noticed how long even a sturdy tripod vibrates if a camera with a long lens is touch even lightly? For good or expensive tripods, I have read test of how long the vibration lasts when the camera-tripod system gets touched. For it is important if one uses auto release shooting and with interference from wind & gusts. There can be exception in which hardware accessories are used.

[@rafaelquiroz5865]

A great video full of useful information. Thanks Robin! Perhaps is good to turn the IS in other camera brands but not with Olympus which have the best IS! I'm visiting Malaysia. Could you suggest some locations to take photos in Kuala Lumpur?

[@robinwong]

Yes, for 5-Axis IS just turn it on Olympus cameras. Depends on what you want to do in KL, pretty much the popular spots, Bukit Bintang, Petaling Street, KLCC, Brickfields, you can spend days and days shooting at those locations.

[@rafaelquiroz5865]

I'll try those places. Thank you Robin! Have a good night

[@flagger2020]

Great video Robin. I think it depends on which generation of IBIS to avoid ibis wobble.. also I know you shoot RAW but if you accidentally shot jpeg you have sRGB set in SCP.. please advise jpeg shooters on using adobeRGB? Anyway, semoga sihat selalu

[@613dawn]

What about with a gimbal? I'm trying to figure out if I should use it or turn it off. The gimbal has stabilization so I wonder if they contradict each other.

[@mich8261]

I would love to see a similar test but for high shutter speed (>1/1000) and with a telephoto. I often see wildlife photographers saying to turn off IS but I am not sure the same is true for IBIS.

[@FDMedic78]

I use Canon which does not have IS in the body, but in the lenses. I am looking to buy an older Olympus camera, E-600, and I find it interesting IS is part of the body and not the lenses.

[@robinwong]

In body image stabilization has come a long way and surpassed what lens based image stabilization can do. Many modern systems utilize the combination of both for added benefits.

[@malaustwick5364]

Hey Robin, Greeting from North Yorkshire, England. Thanks for this video. I use EM1Mk3 + Zuiko 100-400mm for wildlife and was wondering if I should use lens IS and IBIS when resting my gear on a beanbag from my car door, as I feel my images are not as tack sharp as they could be (Yes I had the car engine switched off!). Will be testing both options next time I'm out. Cheers Mal

[@arthurm9404]

Hello Robin Firstly thank you for all the wonderful content & effort! A question can you please explain in detail the difference between custom modes and MyMode The manuals don’t explain it very well!

[@PeterMcDadeArtist]

Hi Robin, Thanks that confirms my experience with video on a tripod covering football matches. What about when panning? With my old EM5 I found it would create a terrible shaky image. I rarely do that type of photography but have had some issues with later cameras (EM1 EM5 II). So not sure about the EM1 II or the OM1.

[@RobertVE3VPL]

I noticed that you used IS Auto and not IS ON. Do you think that IS ON would also work ok?

[@davejsullivan]

I absolutely hate tripod kicking cats. They are the worst.

[@davebellamy4867]

Does the IS detect if the image shifts or if the camera moves? Or both? I guess a lot of it is based on camera shift because the camera needs to know the lens focal length to make the compensation.

[@davidherman1803]

IS does not compensate for subject movement and I am surprised Robin was using that moving billboard as a test subject on those long exposures. The stationary verticle lights were still sharp, but the scrolling letters did blurr.

[@robinwong]

Image stabilization only compensates for camera movement.

[@robinwong]

@@davidherman1803 there was literally nothing else to shoot, besides trees and trees and trees in the park.

[@dps6198]

Tripod, remote shutter release...why would you need image stabilization?

[@bergfur]

Why is not OM telling the users if it is sensing if it is on a tripod? This should not be a secrid. Apple say that iPhone is sensing if it is on a tripod. I think OM could tell us this In the manual.

[@jbtparsons1]

Hi Robin. Thanks for this quick comparison. I noticed that in example one you has IS on (setting 1), in example 2 you has IS auto, and in example 3 you has IS on (setting 1) again. For tripod work should we use Auto IS or setting 1 (always on)? Also, are there any disadvantages to using IS on fast moving subjects (small flying birds for example)?

[@robinwong]

Whether it is S-IS 1 or Auto, it does not matter, the IS still works just as well.

[@DarthVix501]

What if you use a gimbal for video shooting?

[@MDMiller60]

But, what do the engineers at OM say to do?

[@peterreber7671]

If mechanical shutter is used then that will cause microvibrations which will linger for a fraction of a second.

[@robinwong]

You are talking about shutter shock, not camera movement. That can be mitigated by "Anti-Shock" which is first curtain electronic shutter. Completely different topic altogether.

[@BonanzaPilot]

Do you suggest having IS on or off when panning airplanes

[@1957PLATO]

Very interesting. I wonder if the older camera’s like EM5ii have the same results with IS on.

[@Kopetefish]

Yes, they do. In my experience with the EM5II at least. I've taken 15s exposures of the sky and cityscapes and they were sharp.

[@1957PLATO]

@@Kopetefish thank you.

[@robinwong]

Yeah pretty much the same!

[@marcinpawlik2324]

Robin inside the manual: If you use tripod - stabilization off.

[@robinwong]

Sure. Feel free to follow what the manual tells you.