Canon 600mm lens tripod mounted - IS on or off?

Mad Badger

Mad Badger

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Steve
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Like the title says, any of you long lens owners care to share your preferred options on a tripod?

If I'm panning for birds in flight I always have IS off, but what's best for a perched bird say, I have read that the 600mm IS is "tripod sensing" & compensates, in real life what's best?

All advice gratefully received!

Steve
 
IS on, as it apparently helps to combat vibrations induced by mirror-slap. It's also worth laying your left hand along the lens to further dampen any oscillations.

Bob
 
general rule for tripoding is image stabilizing off- my 50-500mm recommends image stabilizer off for tripods so providing the tripod is sturdy your 600 should be the same...
 
Canon Bob said:
IS on, as it apparently helps to combat vibrations induced by mirror-slap. It's also worth laying your left hand along the lens to further dampen any oscillations.

Bob
Click to expand...

:agree:
For a big Canon prime lens.
 
So 2 - 1 for off.

I'm siding with Bob's advice here, I do use a hand along the lens, Canon say the lens will sense it's tripod mounted & turn IS off.

@Tezmed, I have a Sigma 150-500 & think the Canon IS works differently, reckon I need to get out in the field a bit more & try either option.
 
Mad Badger said:
So 2 - 1 for off.

I'm siding with Bob's advice here, I do use a hand along the lens, Canon say the lens will sense it's tripod mounted & turn IS off.
Click to expand...

It's not actually my advice, it comes courtesy of Canon's North American Technical Director.....

However, there is a group of high-end Canon lenses that actually does compensate for mirror slap during tripod use. This list currently includes the EF200mm f/2L IS USM, EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM, EF400mm f/2.8L IS USM, EF400mm f/4 DO IS USM, EF500mm f/4L IS USM, EF600mm f/4L IS USM, and EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM.


Bob
 
re panning: I was following a female marsh harrier & she was so erratic I just left IS off as the change of direction was so frequent plus her circling flight made me feel mode 2 might not be the best option.

What would you guys have used instead?
 
Mode 3 is rather useful.... but I don't think you have that on a 600mm ;) :D
 
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