Canon develops hybrid image stabilisation technology

[Tracey]

The new Canon Hybrid (IS) is the world’s first Image stabilizer to compensate for two types of camera shake.Canon have just announced the development of Hybrid Image Stabilizer (IS), the world’s first optical Image Stabilizer which compensates for both angular camera shake and shift camera shake. The technology will be incorporated in an interchangeable single lens reflex (SLR) camera lens planned for commercial release before the end of 2009.

more here
http://www.photographymonthly.com/News-and-Reviews/2009/7/Canon-develops-hybrid-image-stabilisation-technology

Is this good news (for you Hedge) and why? Will it make that much of a difference?

[Hedgehog]

I've never owned an IS lens so I'm not the best to ask really... I have considered it but it costs too much for what I need.

The way I see it, IS is a feature that is fairly transparent... you don't notice it 'til you don't have it... & at the end of the day you'll hopefully get more keepers per photo shoot with this new hybrid IS than with the old IS or without it at all.

Remember also that IS isn't suited to all photography & this new version increases the number of functions you might need to switch off to obtain certain effects or shoot certain subjects.

[Tracey]

I have to admit the picture of one of the lenses I saw had all sorts of "extra switches" etc. If you have only a moment in time to catch the shot you dont want to be fiddling with the camera when you should be shooting.

Where would IS be beneficial, and where would it be more trouble than its worth?

[Hedgehog]

IS is beneficial in 2 main situations... long distance & low light photography. Over distance the effects of a shaky hand are amplified so IS's effects are most noticeable with longer lenses. On shorter lenses normally your minimum handheld speed is around 1/60sec (for lenses under 100mm) to keep handshake at bay but IS can drop this & the new IS may be able to drop this even further... so, as long as you have a fairly static subject it can really help when light becomes a premium.

[Tracey]

So am I wrong in thinking its making it less neccessary to use a tripod if you have IS?