• Canon DSLR Cameras

  Image stabilization – why and when is it important?

  Posted by Bob Cole on August 28, 2011 at 12:14 am

  I read recently (in a blog post by Philip Bloom) that IS is very important for videography using DSLRs, particularly for longer focal lengths.

  Why is this so? Does it have anything to do with moire?

  Bob Cole replied 14 years, 8 months ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
• 4 Replies

• 

  Stephen Kampff

  August 29, 2011 at 3:26 pm

  When you zoom in, the movement of the handheld camera becomes more apparent.
  I find, even if I only zoom in a bit, IS is really needed.

  If you’re willing to sacrifice a really shallow DOF, for some smoother camera work; Shoot as wide as you can. Of course that doesn’t apply to everything but it’s great if you want the handheld look without ruining your shot.
• 

  Brent Dunn

  August 29, 2011 at 5:36 pm

  If you are on a tripod, you don’t need it. Handheld, you do. If you are zoomed in with any camera, your camera will magnify any shakes or bumps to the camera. IS limits this.

  Moire happens when you shoot images with lined objects, such as, window blinds, grates, stripes, brick patterns, etc. It is a problem with all DSLR’s and has nothing to do with IS.

  Brent Dunn
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• 

  Bob Cole

  August 31, 2011 at 3:07 pm

  I thought there may be an impact on moire generation, either actual or perceived. For example, image stabilization may make moire patterns “livelier” and therefore more obvious.
• 

  Bob Cole

  August 31, 2011 at 7:55 pm

  I meant, of course, that my guess is that IS would tend to REDUCE apparent moire.

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