I was looking at buying the EF 70-200MM and I was wondering if the Non-IS version would work just as well as the IS version for plane spotting.
Thanks,
Ethan
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Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
Hi Ethan,
Not necessary, but it does help. Especially if you're shooting in low light conditions and/or if you have shaky hands.
I have the 70-200 F4 non-IS as well and it's a great lens, also for aviation photography.
Not necessary, but it does help. Especially if you're shooting in low light conditions and/or if you have shaky hands.
I have the 70-200 F4 non-IS as well and it's a great lens, also for aviation photography.
Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
airkas1 wrote:I have the 70-200 F4 non-IS as well and it's a great lens, also for aviation photography.
It's a fantastic lens. Super-sharp.
For daytime airplane photography, it's phenomenal. Whether you need IS or not is really up to you and your shooting habits, etc.
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- UnitedIsBae
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Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
you can use a tripod if u want.
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- ThePointblank
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Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
You can also compensate by having a high enough shutter speed; use the reciprocal rule, and keep your shutter speed faster than that. If you have a crop sensor camera, you also need to multiply the focal length by the crop factor before doing the calculation.
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Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
kiadspotter wrote:I was looking at buying the EF 70-200MM and I was wondering if the Non-IS version would work just as well as the IS version for plane spotting.
Thanks,
Ethan
It helps enormously. Though I used to be doing shots at 1/3sec, F/2.8 and ISO1600.
In daylight conditions at normal shutter speeds you don't need it so much.
Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
If you can afford the extra money, get it. Better to have it and turn it "off" than need it and not have it! All my lenses have image stabilization ("vibration control" in Nikon speak) except for my wide angle lenses (e.g. 10mm f2.8, and 12-24 mm). It is left in the "on" position always except when the camera is mounted on a tripod.
Jehan
Jehan
Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
Under good conditions you don't need an IS. I would recommend the 70-200 2.8 which is a much better lens in my opinion.
Klaus
Klaus
Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
There are a lot of photographers on here who are using 70-200 f4 non IS L. Sure, if you can afford the f2.8, go for it but it an expensive lens and designed for the pro market, not the gifted amateur.
"Though I used to be doing shots at 1/3sec, F/2.8 and ISO1600".
I hope there was a valid rationale for doing so!
"Though I used to be doing shots at 1/3sec, F/2.8 and ISO1600".
I hope there was a valid rationale for doing so!
Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
Some IS lenses have two modes...one for holding the lens steady and the other for panning. It can make a difference.
Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
70-200/2.8 IS is my favourite lens by far and probably the best for spotting, arguably!
Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
fergulmcc wrote:70-200/2.8 IS is my favourite lens by far and probably the best for spotting, arguably!
Unless you need to shoot something at 60 or 300mm...... in which case it's useless.
'Best lens for spotting' is subjective - there are spots at my local (MAN) where <70mm is required.
Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
As someone already stated, better to have it and not always use it, than need it and not have it --> get IS!
Personally, maybe 5% of my photos require IS to increase the probability of success. I would miss the best photos without it for sure. Also the IS in that perticular lense is really good!
Personally, maybe 5% of my photos require IS to increase the probability of success. I would miss the best photos without it for sure. Also the IS in that perticular lense is really good!
Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
ThePointblank wrote:You can also compensate by having a high enough shutter speed; use the reciprocal rule, and keep your shutter speed faster than that. If you have a crop sensor camera, you also need to multiply the focal length by the crop factor before doing the calculation.
The reciprocal rule hails from the film days, and is now insufficient. Photographing moving aircraft with a 70-300mm lens in my hands requires a shutter speed of at least 1/1000 sec. I achieve a greater proportion of razor sharp images with IS on, even at that speed
Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
You don't need IS on a lens at all to plane spot. I've been using lenses without IS for my entire career.
Now, IS in the body, that's essential.
Now, IS in the body, that's essential.
Re: Is Image Stabilization on a lens necessary to plane spot?
kiadspotter wrote:I was looking at buying the EF 70-200MM and I was wondering if the Non-IS version would work just as well as the IS version for plane spotting.
cschleic wrote:Some IS lenses have two modes...one for holding the lens steady and the other for panning. It can make a difference.
That's an very important point.....
So if you, the thread starter, decide to get a lens with IS, make a few test shots while panning or just doing strafing shots (left > right or right > left), because on certain lenses the normal IS/VC mode will not help you, but actually have negative impact on the photos. That is because most image stabilisation modes are there to compensate for very light movements in all directions, that what happens on the usual handheld shots. If you use them while strafing/panning, you will see a blur in the textures.
So for these lenses you either need to switch of IS/VC or choose the right IS/VC mode. The new Tamron G2 lenses, as well as a few Nikon/Canon lenses have a separate VC/IS mode for strafing/panning shots.
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