Canon Image Stabilization (IS) necessary for video?

R

re_curly81

Active member
Hello all,
I own a 5D and use it for only video.
I'm looking to invest in a Canon 70-200 F2.8, and was wondering if I should get the standard version ($1690 CAN) or if there is any benefit going with the IS II USM ($2750 CAN).

Non of our shots are handheld, mostly rail shots, or tripod.

Also, should I be considering the Sigma or Tamron equivalent? (Sigma 70-200mm EXDGII HSM)

And, just to confirm, the F4.0 version is simply not fast enough right? We do shoot in darker restaurants, and stores a lot.

Thanks!
 
I wouldn't use it. Pretty much useful for hand held stills only - should not need at all if you're using tripods, etc.

One other reason - having the IS on will add extra battery drain. Not much perhaps, but extra drain none the less.
 
Go with the Sigma 70-200mm version 1 for about $800 US dollars. The second version is quite a bit more expensive and the only difference is that it features IS which won't help you too much if your already shooting on a tripod. The extra benefit along with saving money, is that you'll be paying about the same price as the Canon 70-200mm F4 version but the Sigma is 2.8
 
Since you will need to turn IS off once it's on a tripod go for the non IS version. IS is useful on a monopod but not tripod.
 
Thanks guys. Man, that video is night and day. I suppose it would be a nice feature to have just in case, but I don't know if the cost increase justifies it.
 
If you're not changing lenses then the f/2.8 is great. But it's really big and heavy and in a fast moving environment where I'm changing lenses often, I prefer the f/4 because it's easier to handle.
 
I ended up buying the Canon non-IS, 70-200 F2.8. Over the last 3 months, we have never needed image stabilization as all our video shots are rail, tripod, etc. One thing to note though, is that for interviews, we need to stop it down to F4.0, as focus is too shallow. There eyes are in focus, but the hair, ears, are not. To see an example of this, goto http://www.youtube.com/user/croweproductions?feature=mhum

Interview of myself (Trevor) is F2.8, Jody F4.0 (more in focus), Victor F2.8.

So for those looking for DOF, the F4.0 is still adequate, and F2.8 is sometimes too much when comparing these lens's. I would probably buy the f4.0 as a second camera lens.
 
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