Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/10/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 11:39 AM -0400 10/10/01, Sipulmanjones@aol.com wrote: >Does anybody have any experience with the new Image Stabilization >lenses? I'd love to hear Erwin's take. > >The arrival of Canon's 70-200 f2.8 Image Stabilization lens has made >me wonder whether the new IS technology has completely changed the >ways in which telephoto lenses can be used for Leica-style available >light documentary (people doing stuff) photography. The Leica R user >can get high quality results at f2.8 at 1/250 (or f2.0 at 1/250). >This is pretty marginal in terms of having enough exposure for >people doing stuff in heavy shade, or in interiors in daylight - >even at ISO 400-800. > >If the Canon Image Stabilization technology really does deliver high >quality results at several stops below what you would normally >expect the telephoto available light situation is very different - >giving two to three stops advantage. With 200mm, f2.8 at 1/60 or >1/30 the main problem will be subject movement. (Of course the R >user could just get up close with an 80/1.4, whilst the Canon lens >forces you to keep your distance because of its startling white >livery!) > >On the face of it, the Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS lens on a quiet EOS5 >looks like a strong combination for Leica-style photography with a >telephoto. > >Simon, Boston MA. > > >-- >To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html I don't know about 'Leica style', but since I can consistently shoot at 1/15 sec at 400mm with the 100-400IS lens, 1/15sec should be a piece of cake with the 70-200. The addition of IS does not affect optical quality in a lens. In my opinion image stabilization is one of the most significant advances in camera design, as it truly allows you to take pictures that were impossible before. The picture below of a Vermillion Flycatcher, about 2 inches long, was taken with the Canon 100-400IS with a 1.4x converter, effective focal length 560mm, handheld under quite dark clouds at an 1/8 sec. http://www.archiphoto.com/Recent/VermFly.jpg I took about 12 pictures before it flew away, and of those, about 8 are adequately sharp. - -- * Henning J. Wulff /|\ Wulff Photography & Design /###\ mailto:henningw@archiphoto.com |[ ]| http://www.archiphoto.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html