Image Stablization is great ....

[r_fredrick_smith]

As I get older, I get shakier. I've found in the last few years that its his progressively harder for me to get sharp shots when shooting handheld. Canon has recently introduced a very inexpensive IS lens, the Canon 18-55 3.5 - 5.6 IS lens. They can be picked up for about $175. I bought one of the lens to see if the IS would help me out. The ability to handhold at very slow shutter speeds is really amazing. Here is an example composite shot that I made to illustrate this point:

The shot was made with the Canon 20D and the above lens. I shot both shots at 1/15th at f5.6 at 55mm (equivalent to 88mm). The image on the left was shot with IS off and the image on the right with IS on. Both were given the same RAW development. I then cut out the head on the left and composited it with the one on the right so you could see them side by side. In effect, it looks like I'm getting about 2 to 3 stops of IS range extension.

Anyway, I hope that this benefits those who may be interested at looking into IS lens.

Cheers,
rfs

[Arbib]

Oh Yes, IS "IS" great...
There are times where a flash is just not right to be used...
There is a Cafe Named "Mayberry Cafe" in Danville, IN. and Yes, the theme is "The Andy Griffith: show.
They even have a 1950's Cop Car parked in front on the weekends.

I was taking my new Oly E-510 with a 14-42 kit lens out for stole () and I went for a snack at the Cafe. I asked if I could take some photo's of the interiour, and the waitress said..Sure, go ahead,.. I did. w/o flash (so as not deturb the few customers they had)...

Here is one at 1/10s with the Camera's IS on.


The one thing I noticed, I still have to hold my breath, and grip my camera in a sturdy way to prevent as much camera shake as possible..But is still amazing how much it can correct, and still get a decent file from it.
This has opened up new areas of intrest. that were impossible without IS. Now, I can do low light without Flash or a Tripod (to a point).

[Electricseashell]

I hold my breath when taking pictures because I have the same issue. I guess I will have to add IS to my list of needs when my daughter buys me that new camera