Opportunities for Wildlife Photographers: Image Stabilization

July, 2000

 

By now you're probably familiar with improvements in Canon's Image Stabilization Technology, or IS. IS lenses contain motion sensors and moveable elements that automatically respond to camera shake to counteract that motion, giving you steadier -- and sharper -- images. This technology has been around for awhile in some of Canon's hand-held lenses, most recently the very popular 100-400 mm f/5.6L IS zoom.

The big news last year was that Canon had adapted this technology to its biggest lenses, the workhorses of wildlife shooters:

  • 600 mm f/4 IS

  • 500 mm f/4 IS (replaces 500/4.5 lens)

  • 400 mm f/2.8 IS

  • 300 mm f/2.6 IS

What's so exciting is that Canon devised a way for Image Stabilization to work for tripod-mounted lenses. (Previous versions of IS worked only hand-held.) Now IS technology can be used to help eliminate the inevitable loss of sharpness that plague big telephotos, which magnify even the slightest vibrations.

In my view, this is the biggest technological advance for nature photographers since autofocus. And I think it opens up two great opportunities:

Opportunity #1: Buy an IS Super Telephoto
The advantages of IS in a big lens are hard to resist, and photographers are flocking to these lenses. For stationary subjects, where the motion of the subject does not cause blur, these lenses allow you to shoot in lower light, with lower shutter speeds, or with slower film -- or a combination of all three.

IS is not a panacea. For active subjects, the need to freeze subject movement may force you to use higher shutter speeds where IS is of minimal value. And sometimes you have plenty of shutter speed anyway, and won't benefit from IS.

But if you've decided that it's finally time to invest in Big Glass, or can afford to trade in your old lens for this fantastic new technology, IS is definitely worth upgrading to. If you're trading up, however, be forewarned that you are not alone, and this has produced a glut of "old" big telephotos lenses on the used market and a corresponding big drop in used lens prices. But this leads to ...

Opportunity #2: Buy a Used Non-IS Super Telephoto
There has never been a better time to pick up some excellent used 600 f/4's and other big lenses, as photographers who can desire the latest and greatest technology cast aside old faithfuls for new loves. It's a buyers market, and there's a lot to choose from. Even some Nikon shooters have decided to switch to Canon to get IS in big lenses today (Nikon has recently announced this technology in an 80-400 zoom, but not yet in super telephotos.)

Remember, last year these non-IS lenses were the non plus ultra of wildlife photography, trusted and valued tools that produce fantastic results. And you can find a used Canon 600/4 non-IS autofocus lens for not much more than half of what you'd pay for the hot new IS lens. Will you miss the IS features? Some of the time, yes. But, you may miss things like eating or clothes for the kids more!

So if you have dreamed of owning a big glass autofocus tele but always thought you couldn't afford it, look again: the used (but not abused) market may get you that big toy ... er, I mean, tool.

All in all, a great technological advance and a win-win situation for wildlife photographers.

(Note: I use Canon autofocus equipment for all my 35 mm shooting, but I have no relationship with Canon and don't receive any accommodation or equipment from Canon. I strive to be objective in my assessment of equipment. I currently own and use EOS 600/4 and 300/2.8 non-IS lenses.)