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Using the Image Stabilizer on the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens

Article ID: ART174544 | Date published: 05/29/2019 | Date last updated: 05/29/2019
 

Description

Using the Image Stabilizer on the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens

Solution

Image Stabilizer

Image stabilization corrects vibrations that occurs with hand-held shots.
Set the STABILIZER switch to ON.
  • If you are not going to use the image stabilizer function, set the switch to OFF.
Select an Image Stabilizer mode according to the application and shooting conditions.
Press the shutter button down halfway. Once you have a stable image, press down all the way to take the picture.*
*  Only MODE 3 does not allow you to check the effect gained from stabilization.
Image Stabilizer modes
MODE 1: 
 Corrects vibrations in all directions. It is suited for shooting still subjects.
MODE 2:  When you take a panning shot either horizontally or vertically, corrects vibrations at right angles to the direction of panning. It is suited to shooting moving subjects.
MODE 3: During exposure, corrects vibrations in the same way as MODE 2.
Since vibration is corrected only during exposure, it is suited to shooting irregularly moving subjects.

Tips on Using the Image Stabilizer

The image stabilizer for this lens is effective for hand-held shots in the following conditions.

MODE 1
Shooting still subjects
  • In semi-darkened areas such as indoors or outdoors at night.
  • In locations where flash photography is prohibited, such as art museums and theater stages.
  • In situations where your footing is uncertain.
  • In situations where fast shutter settings cannot be used.

MODE 2
Shooting moving subjects
  • Panning shots of vehicles, trains, etc.

MODE 3
Shooting irregularly moving subjects
  • Sports photography of soccer, basketball, etc.
  • Photography of animals
 
  • The image Stabilizer cannot compensate for a blurred shot caused by a subject that moved.
  • The Image Stabilizer might not be effective in the following cases:
    • Large shake or fast vibration.
    • Panning in MODE 1.
  • Setting the STABILIZER switch to ON consumes more power than when OFF.
  • The Image Stabilizer operates for about two seconds even when your finger is off the shutter button. Do not detach the lens while the stabilizer is in operation. Detaching the lens at this time will cause a malfunction.
  • Although image stabilization will operate when usinga tripod, depending on the kind of tripod and shooting conditions, sometimes it may be better to turn off the Image Stabilizer.
  • Although image stabilization will operate when usinga a monopod, depending on the shooting conditions, sometimes the Image Stabilizer may not be fully effective.
  • Setting the STABILIZER switch to OFF is recommended when you are taking pictures using the Bulb setting (long exposures). If the STABILIZER switch is set to ON, the Image Stabilizer may introduce errors.
  • With the EOS-1V/HS, 3, ELAN 7E/ELAN 7/30/33, ELAN 7NE/ELAN 7N/30V/33V, ELAN II/ELAN II E/50/50E, REBEL 2000/300, IX, IX Lite/IX7, and D30, the Image Stabilizer will not work during self-timer operation.
 
  • Depending on the camera there may be image shake, such as after releasing the shutter.
    However, this does not affect shooting.
  • If you set the camera's Custom Function to change the assigned button to operate the AF, the Image Stabilizer will operate when you press the newly assigned AF button.

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