When to Use Image Stabilization

Here to help on when to use image stabilization. Does image stabilization actually work? Is IS good for sports photography? When do I use image stabilization? Why are there different image stabilization modes? Should you use image stabilization on a tripod? Will IS take sharp photos?
I'll answer these questions and hopefully provide you some tips on how to take better photos at slower shutter speeds.
0:00 - Intro
1:04 - When to use Image Stabilization
3:03 - Image Stabilization Modes
3:56 - When not to use Image Stabilization
Follow along on Instagram @paulrutherford_
Check out my images at www.paulrutherfordphotography.com
As always, leave any questions in the comments!

[@johnkofi-theultimatelife1315]

Thanks for the advice! I'll look into it 👍🏽🤗

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching!

[@xMiiDNiTe]

woo another upload

[@Paul_Rutherford]

keeping on creating!

[@JackBeasleyMedia]

Does it work? Yep. But as a sports photog who almost always shoots no less than 1/500, and an old-school photog used to shooting at a shutter speed at least double my 35mm focal length, I almost always have IS/VR turned off. Also, I've heard some people claim that IS/RV affects either AF or frame rate. I don't believe that's true, but I've heard that claim. Also for video, when doing my talking head shots, I turn it off when the camera is on a tripod. I've noticed the camera try to actually track my face while I'm moving around while shooting a video - the framing moves! In that case, it actually induces stabilization issues.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Agreed! If there isn't a reason it helps while being on, then I'm going to turn it off when I don't need it.

[@robin4180]

Nice video! like it

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching!

[@passionandcommonsense]

Thank you

[@Paul_Rutherford]

You're welcome!

[@lukehales4755]

I keep VR (Nikon's name for IS) on pretty much all the time. Even when shooting sports, I find it easier to track my subjects in frame and keep them composed how I want with it on. And with a camera like the D5, the battery drain is minimal. Good video though

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Cool to hear it helps you track your subjects and glad you have a good reason to have it on! I've found the opposite for me with the frame sometimes feeling like it jerks around.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

What is your minimum shutter speed for turning on image stabilization?

[@Twobarpsi]

Shot a soccer game with a Canon 70-200 2.8 III for the first time. Most images came out a tad soft even at 1/1250 !! My pro photographer friend said it could be the image stabilization! Will turn it off for the next game.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Yea there can be a lot of reasons images end up a little soft. Sometimes a little soft is good enough for social media though!

[@Twobarpsi]

@@Paul_Rutherford he said you only noticed it if you zoom in at 200%. Would you say that is acceptable considering some of these shots were 200 ft away?

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I'd have to see the photo to know. But most times you crop really tight it won't look as sharp as you want it to

[@erik5024]

I only shoot sports now, and I never shoot below 1/1000, and could never see a difference in the end result, so the IS is always off. I'm still an amateur and am relatively new to photography, but I don't see any benefit in my situation.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Agreed! If there isn't any benefit then keep it off!

[@semperfi-1918]

I have shaky hands... its staying on 😂

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Haha, whatever works!

[@DarthVix501]

What if u have it on a gimbal and shooting video

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Great question. I don't shoot a lot of video and don't own a gimbal, but I'd say if you have something else stabilizing your camera then you shouldn't need it. Again I'm not a video expert so that could be wrong.