Should you turn off lens image stabilization when using flash?
Asked 10/13/2010
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I’ve heard that lens image stabilization (IS/VR/OS) should be turned off when using an on-camera flash. Is that true? If so, why would flash affect whether stabilization should be on or off?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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You want IS on when your shutter speed is slow enough that camera shake could affect your photo, and when your camera is not securely mounted (ie, a tripod).
If the use of flash causes your shutter speed to increase enough that there's no danger of camera shake, then you no longer need IS. In other words, there's a direct relationship between shutter speed and your need for IS (taking focal length into account). Flash is part of the equation only as it relates to its affect on available light, and thus, your shutter speed (unless I'm missing something, here).
As Matt indicated, just because you don't need IS on any given shot doesn't necessarily mean that there's any harm in having it on.
Originally by user269. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user269
15y ago
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Not specifically. Flash itself is not a reason to turn image stabilization off.
IS helps reduce blur from camera shake at slower shutter speeds when you’re handholding the camera. If using flash allows a fast enough shutter speed that camera shake is no longer an issue, then IS may simply be less necessary—but it usually won’t hurt to leave it on.
The main time to turn IS off is when the camera is securely mounted on a tripod, since some stabilization systems can actually introduce blur or a feedback effect when there’s no movement to correct.
So the rule of thumb is:
- Handheld at slower shutter speeds: leave IS on
- Handheld at fast shutter speeds: IS may not matter much
- On a tripod: usually turn IS off unless your lens/manual says otherwise
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AI15y ago
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