IS or no IS

[Noah Kadner]

You don’t really *need* IS with a tripod shot- in fact it can actually make the shots look worse by overcompensating for the natural motion of the tripod. But it is kinda critical for handheld work. So it really comes down to- will you be taking shots handheld or tripod?

Noah

Check out my book: RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera!
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[Phil Yunker]

Noah, thanks for the reply. Even with a camera rig like a Zacuto target shooter or other camera stability rigs the having the “IS” is critical. I have not used a lens like this on the camera yet, so I have no experience with how it will look and or operate.

Thanks.

PHIL

PHIL YUNKER
Yunker Video Production Services
http://www.philyunker.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/philyunker

[Noah Kadner]

” Even with a camera rig like a Zacuto target shooter or other camera stability rigs the having the “IS” is critical. ”

Hmm was that a question or an observation? 🙂 In my mind anything that is not on tripod legs or a dolly is basically ‘handheld’ and IS will often help. But it’s your $500. You could always go to a camera shop and try some things out before you commit your cash.

Noah

Check out my book: RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera!
Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Sony EX1 Guidebook, Panasonic HVX200, Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon 7D.
Learn DSLR Cinematography.

[Phil Yunker]

Sorry, some bad grammar on my part. You’re right, I’ll have to go to a camera shop and test the two out.
Thanks.

PHIL YUNKER
Yunker Video Production Services
http://www.philyunker.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/philyunker

[Michael Sacci]

Make sure you take your own cards, that way you can shoot some footage and bring it back to place and look at it.

I don’t know what Log and Transfer does to my footage but it always looks shaker after I bring it into a computer then it did when I was shooting it.

[Lance Bachelder]

YES! Spend the extra cash and get the better lens – and skip the f4 and get the 2.8L II with IS if you can. Huge difference having the better glass on on the 2.8 and the extra stops.

I have shot hours and hours with this lens and IS helps even on a pro tripod. It saved many a shot on our last film.Shots where it was off and there even the slightest tripod vibration were unusable.

So don’t cheap out! Get IS and leave it on. For handheld forget about using the 70-200 at the long end without IS – even with your rig it will be rough and the IS will make your handheld stuff look great.

Much of the fabled “HOUSE” finale was shot with the 70-200 2.8 IS and the Director and DP praised both the lens AND the IS and how well it worked!

Lance Bachelder
Southern California

[Phil Yunker]

Thanks again for all the great info. I was re-watching a video by Philip Bloom where he goes over some lenses and he mentioned that the 70-200 had to “IS” options; option 1 for stabilizes across the X&Y axis and option 2 is for tripod use. What is your experience or knowledge about these options?

Thanks.

PHIL YUNKER
Yunker Video Production Services
http://www.philyunker.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/philyunker

[Robbie Carman]

I have the 70-200 f/4 IS. Which I got before the new 2.8 came out. In my opinion comparing the old 70-200 2.8 and the f/4 IS I felt the F/4 was sharper. True its slower put in outdoor shoots or under studio lighting it works great. Plus it has up to 4 stops of IS compared to the 3 on the old 2.8.

I haven’t had a chance to work with the new 2.8 yet but from everything I hear the new 2.8 is super super sweet

Has others have said the $500 is worth it for IS is your looking that f/4s. The real question is if you want to spend $1200-1500 extra for the new 2.8 IS? If you have it I don’t think you can go wrong with the new 2.8

Robbie Carman
—————-
Colorist and Author
Check out my new Books:
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[Konstantin Sautier]

>>I don’t know what Log and Transfer does to my footage but it always looks shaker after I bring it into a computer then it did when I was shooting it. << it´s not the fault of "log and transfer", but common experience in all camera work. you don´t realize the shakiness during shooting, only afterwards. konst

[Michael Sacci]

Thanks, but I was being sarcastic. So much for my attempt at humor. Forgot the telltale “:-)”

Another common thing when you first start out is “Man I know I had the subject filling more of the frame than that!”