Photography Tip of the week #12

Image Stabilisation Explained

We know that we want sharp images and we know that camera movement can cause blurred images and image stabilisation is a way of ensuring that we get a steady camera and hence sharp images.

But how does it work and how should you use it?

• Over the years it has been given many names -Vibration reduction, O.I.S., Optical Steady Shot, SR, VC, VR, MEGA O.I.S. are only a few .

• This function allows you typically to shoot several stops slower that you would be able to without such a feature. In areas where there is reduced light it may allow you to shoot hand held without increasing your iso too much. You will always have the effect of steady shots which 90% of the time is a positive.

• It can be based in the lens or in the body of the camera

• Lens Stabilisation This uses a floating lens element that is electronically controlled and moved is moved in the opposite direction to any unwanted movement. The advantages of in-lens stabilisation is smoother performance for longer length lenses. The disadvantage is that it is not standard and can be an expensive add on. Canon and Nikon

• Camera, Stabilisation The image sensor moves to compensate for any unwanted movement. The advantages are that its available all the time and lenses are cheaper The disadvantage is that the in-camera stabilisation is less effective. The sensor stabilisation in effect is the cheapest option. Sony, Pentax and Olympus

• Typically two types of stabilisation "normal or I" and Sports or II" Normal or I is for typical hand held shooting Sports or II is for when you and the subject are moving (if you panning)

• Battery Life The stabilisation will use a small amount of battery

• Turn it off It is essential that you turn the image stabilisation off when using a camera on a tripod as the image stabilisation will actually add blur to the image #image #stabilisation #lenses