sigma 50-500 image stabilization

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rite i have just got a sigma 50-500 os now this is the first image stabilization lens i have had how can i tell if its working ok? will it show as on in live view or show on the exif data? now some 1 said to me ages a go that is may not work with some cameras i have a canon 1100d
 
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cheers mike i think i can hear a faint tic tic tic noise but thats about it would it be more pronounced in live view and video mode
 
The OS should be relatively quiet. You should be able to see the effect of the OS in the viewfinder when the shutter is half pressed though. The image will likely 'skip' slightly (or something similar) when the OS first kicks in. Try focussing at 300-500mm with the OS switched off then power it on and try again, there should be a perceptible difference in stabilisation.
If you 'aim' the camera around a little the viewfinder image can be a little slow to respond as the OS attempts to stabilise things.
 
tbh im not seeing much change i was thinking like a second delay or the likes but so far im still thinking its not kicking in i think i may put a post up to see if any local togs thats used to a is lens will have a look
 
Why are you worried that it's not working?

I would take a few shots of the same stationary object handheld at 500mm in shutter priority mode (Tv) at 1/250th second with OS off. Then switch OS on and do the same. Inspect the images on your computer and the ones with OS on should be a lot sharper.
 
Calumet have an open day at their Glasgow store tomorrow (Thurs 10th) from 10AM-4PM - would you be able to pop along to that ? I'm sure they'd be able to have a quick look. They're doing a free sensor clean as well if you're interested.
I was going to go so could have had a look at it if you'd wanted (I've used Tamron and Canon stabilised lenses but not Sigma) but it looks like a few things have cropped up here so I doubt I'll be able to make it any more.
 
cheers thats what im thinking that the os may not be working it prob is and its just me being paranoid,im not used to a lens this heavy and 1 with is,cheers stu on the heads up i will see if i can get time to pay calumet a visit
 
Why are you worried that it's not working?

I would take a few shots of the same stationary object handheld at 500mm in shutter priority mode (Tv) at 1/250th second with OS off. Then switch OS on and do the same. Inspect the images on your computer and the ones with OS on should be a lot sharper.

I was about to suggest the very same thing - I might have gone lower such as 100 to see a more pronounced result - be sure to to act normally though, no point waving it round like a club :)

You might also want to see what OS setting you have it set to - Mode I gives dual axis stabilization while mode II provides single axis stabilization and of course 0 is off.

Something I would see from time to time (and still do with my 150-500 as they're similar) is that if you have it on a strap that can bump into you as you walk (like a rapid) then you might be switching the OS off by accident.

One thing is for sure though at low speeds and long range you will notice the difference as Sigma's OS is really good.
 
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One thing is for sure though at low speeds and long range you will notice the difference as Sigma's OS is really good.[/QUOTE]

see that was my thinking i had a fast play today had the lens at 500 f6.3 (1/60) the iso was hi 500 lol i know it was on auto :shake: and i went from off to os 1 then os 2 and i didnt notice any kind of change i have deleted the photos off the card but i will try the same tomorrow ops today now first photo off 2nd with it on
 
If you have a tripod try it on that, both with the stabiliser on and off. The image taken with the stabiliser off should be much sharper.
 
rite guys taken some photos with os on and off

number 1 is off


IMG_5057 by hoochy1, on Flickr



number 2 is on

IMG_5058 by hoochy1, on Flickr


number 3 camera mounted to a tripod not the lens is off


IMG_5070 by hoochy1, on Flickr


number 4 camera mounted to the tripod not the lens is on


IMG_5071 by hoochy1, on Flickr
 
You only have to look at the numbers on the bin to see it's working. ;)

Yep, 125 at 500mm and its not a blur then its on :)

OS should be off when using a tripod.

I would have said that too, but unless I've misread what his test shots say it looks like the OS on tripod shot is sharp, but with OS off its not - odd.

Its sort of good that its hard to tell by holding that its on, but the results speak for themselves.
 
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yip i defo think its working i can see a improvement on the numbers in the 2nd bin photo also the iso went down by 200, i was told that to crofter but as john has said thats the odd 1 as the second photo of the dogs toy ball was taken on the tripod same as the first toy ball photo but with is on? and that time i did see the image settle ,could it have been because the camera was mounted to the tripod and not by the lens mount?
 
Ah, perhaps - yep if you;re using a tripod (or should strap) I'd always use the mount on the lens.
 
looks like its working to me defo have a look on flickr zoomed in a little at the right hand handle and the grass under the lip of the lid,massive improvement....as the tripod images go, if you use image stabilisation when using a tripod it will be slightly worse quality than if you dont,i always tend to use setting number 1 when image stabilisation is on...hope this helps

ps mount the lens to the tripod and not the camera due to the weight of the lens
 
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cheers guys i thought i was worrying over nothing
 
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