How do I know if my Image Stabilizer is working?

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

OK, here is a stupid question.

I have a zoom lense with Image Stabilizer (see website below) on my
Canon EOS20D. I bought the lens used.

How do I know if the image stabilizer is working? (other then taking
pictures with it on and off, then going home and comparing them)

Is there some other way?



http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/c [...] delid=7344

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Bill Hilton" <bhilton665@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1121094537.677211.234010@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> >badchess asks ...
>>
>>How do I know if the image stabilizer is working?
>
> Set a slow shutter speed, say 1/60th sec or so while hand-holding and
> focus by pushing the shutter part way down while you try to hold the
> camera steady. With IS and that lens you should see the image jitter a
> bit and then lock in, and you can probably hear it as well. Try it
> with IS on and off and you'll see a difference.

Right. If it is quiet enough you should hear the IS motor running while you
hold the shutter half-way.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <1121093493.384773.17750@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
"badchess" <badchess@msn.com> wrote:
> I have a zoom lense with Image Stabilizer (see website below) on my
> Canon EOS20D. I bought the lens used.
>
> How do I know if the image stabilizer is working? (other then taking
> pictures with it on and off, then going home and comparing them)

BC-

The IS function only works while the picture-taking button is pressed at
least half-way down. You normally press the button half way, let the IS
function activate as you compose your shot, and then press the button the
rest of the way to take the picture. I'm not sure how long it takes, but
I'd give it at least a couple of seconds to activate.

Normally the IS effect is subtle. Try this: While the IS is activated,
try panning across a scene and suddenly stopping. You should see the
image in the viewfinder "move" in the direction you were panning, as IS
tries to stabilize the motion.

Fred

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

badchess wrote:
> OK, here is a stupid question.
>
> I have a zoom lense with Image Stabilizer (see website below) on my
> Canon EOS20D. I bought the lens used.
>
> How do I know if the image stabilizer is working? (other then taking
> pictures with it on and off, then going home and comparing them)
>
> Is there some other way?
>
>
>
> http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/c [...] delid=7344

Hand-held at 400mm, it should be trivial to visually verify that the
'shakes' disappear when you half press the shutter.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

badchess wrote:
> Ahhh, cool. I put my ear right on the side of the lens and I could
> hear it. Thanks tons both of you.

You might also be able to tell by looking into the lens from the front
as you press the shutter release - with a strong light source behind you
to cast refelctions on the lens elements, you may well be able to see
the movement of the IS elements as you gently shake the camera.

I've only done this with my old Sony CD1000, where it's easy to see;
could well be harder with 'real' lenses. And even harder with my new
Maxxum 7D where it's the sensor that moves...

Bob ^,,^

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Fred McKenzie" <fmmck@aol.com> wrote in message
news:fmmck-1107051312470001@ac82ee7c.ipt.aol.com...
> In article <1121093493.384773.17750@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
> "badchess" <badchess@msn.com> wrote:
>> I have a zoom lense with Image Stabilizer (see website below) on my
>> Canon EOS20D. I bought the lens used.
>>
>> How do I know if the image stabilizer is working? (other then taking
>> pictures with it on and off, then going home and comparing them)
>
> BC-
>
> The IS function only works while the picture-taking button is pressed at
> least half-way down. You normally press the button half way, let the IS
> function activate as you compose your shot, and then press the button the
> rest of the way to take the picture. I'm not sure how long it takes, but
> I'd give it at least a couple of seconds to activate.
>
> Normally the IS effect is subtle. Try this: While the IS is activated,
> try panning across a scene and suddenly stopping. You should see the
> image in the viewfinder "move" in the direction you were panning, as IS
> tries to stabilize the motion.
>
> Fred

I understand from Canon technical notes the typical IS start-up time is 0.5
Sec....