optical image stabilizer

Michael_Richard

Michael_Richard

Active member
How does OIS work? Is it recommended for handheld footage? Or with the DVRIGPRO? Does it degrade footage quality?

Should I use it when not using a tripod?

Pros ..........Cons?
 
Re: optical image stabilizer

Best thing to do is test it out for yourself. It works by isolating the lens element inside the camera from shaking. I don't think Panasonic has done as good a job with their OIS as Canon. (Canon's OIS seems rock solid.) Using it on my DVX has been a little scketchy for me in the past. It doesn't degrade the image at all (like Digital Image Stabilization does - basically a digital zoom) but I have noticed it does this little 'side-stepping' thing (only way to describe it) on faster horizontal pans. I tried it again last weekend when I was shooting a lot of handheld stuff outside on the long end of the lens and I seemed to get better results. You definitely don't want to use it when your camera is on a tripod. And sometimes that shakey, handheld effect plays well artistically. So, again, just try it out for yourself and see if you like it.
 
Re: optical image stabilizer

The "o" in OIS stands for "optical". Optical image stabilizers work by moving prisms in the lens (or something) to counteract shake. They work optically. They will have absolutely no effect on image quality.

DIS = Digital image stabilizer. Cameras with DIS are usually cheaper, and DIS definitely degrades image quality.
 
Re: optical image stabilizer

The OIS probably improves your image (sharpness) because in can lessen the blur associated with shakes. I love it for making handheld smoother, but you have to be careful on moves or you get that stutter movement 24peter mentioned. And always remember to turn it off when you don't need it or you can gett that stutter while the cams on a tripod, etc.
 
Re: optical image stabilizer

The OIS serves as the ultimate cheapo steadicam if you want it to. It obviously doesn't do as good a job as a steadicam would, but it makes the footage look smoother than regular hand-held does.

Sometimes, of course, you may *want* a hand-held look, so don't use it then obviously, because it looks smoother. It doesn't look like tripodded footage, but it doesn't have the jitter associated with hand-held. It's SMOOTH, but still WOBBLY, if that makes any sense. I tend to use it depending on the specific look that I want for the camera motion, depending on the scene I'm shooting.

For something live, like weddings, it would probably be a good idea to have the image stabilizer on if you can't use a tripod.
 
Re: optical image stabilizer

[quote author=Michael_Richard link=board=Events;num=1084587621;start=0#0 date=05/14/04 at 19:20:20]How does OIS work??[/quote]
it uses a vari-angle prism or VAP to bend the incoming light path to compensate for movements of the lens. the VAP looks sort of like a fluid-filled accordian (or so i've seen illustrations that look that way) which can bend. it's movements are controlled by a gyroscope, detecting any movements and then trying to dampen their jerkiness.
 
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