Bought a Canon T2i

EdgeReason, thanks How non-critical do you find the lack of IS to be when shooting stock? I only see this camera on a tripod in the field and out. I have video gear to handle the editorial stuff. I was thinking of IS as a must for the one long lens in the kit. Also, do you work with any primes you have adapted to the camera? Thanks for your response!

Ya don't need or probably don't want IS for video stock. IS is only important with hand held photos. With a locked down video, IS will cause a wondering or slight jello effect. I also have the 70-200 f/4 non IS and also the 70-200 f/2.8 IS. The f4 is excellent for video stock, sharp and much smaller than the f/2.8.

Thanks, great advice. Jello... heard of it - now I know what it means. What other lenses or MUST HAVE accessories do you recommend, as I build up my kit? You advice valued and appreciated! Terry

Terry, I should have pre-empteed my advice for a non-IS lens with the need for a very stable tripod setup. I have a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod, and Manfrotto 701 fluid head. Doing a pan with the fluid head at 100mm takes a certain steady hand, and 200 mm is very difficult for me. I have lost some shots due to camera shake, but unless it's windy, I do pretty well with it.

Your question about other lenses: my absolute favorite lens in the Canon 100mm f2.8 macro. It is beautiful, even for far-away subjects...

Pantomewo, that is interesting that the IS causes the jello effect.

The real jello effect comes with attempting to pan the DSLR. These cameras are not replacements for video cameras, just another tool in the endless kit. I'm gonna check out the Canon 100mm f2.8. Is this the lens you are speaking about:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-100mm-Macro-Lens-Cameras/dp/B00004XOM3

remember that IS on a dslr is trying to stop any motion in a photo. With a wind moving leaves or a pan the IS will attempt to stop the motion to a certain extent causing a jello look. If there is no motion when capturing a video it will input a slight motion because it is try to over correct for movement that is not there. Also yes indeed the longer the zoom the more the motion or movement of the camera is exaggerated as well as more difficult to do a smooth pan. For any video work a very stable tripod is much more important than an IS lens. For hand held photos the IS lens is a real enhancement.

Not sure about the t2i but on the 7D I was reading in the manual that the IS is automatically off when doing video, pretty sure that's accurate info, but I didn't double check so I could be wrong.

IS is controlled by the lens, not the camera.



Canon IS Lens Test

If you are shooting handheld, IS can be **VERY** helpful. However, if you are shooting on a tripod, it can cause more problems than it helps. Also, as Don indicates IS can cause more Jello in a pan than without IS, so you really only want to use it when you are focused on a single object that isn't moving much.

Terry, that is the correct lens you linked to. It does come with it's own limitations - the big one being that it's depth of field is ridiculously shallow, but the trade-off is the sharpest image, most beautiful image I've ever seen.

Also, I'm anxious to try some true macro video with it...
Scott

Very shallow depth of field seems to be a reality with marco lenses. I find I get great marco shots with a simple $35 adaptor on my Canon HV30.

https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/639839

On my list to purchase are a pistol grip and a camera bag which will fit the camera with the Hoodman viewfinder attached. The pistol grip holds the Hoodman attached. Talking it off and on is a hassle. I work in the field with a camera slider and a carbon fibre tripod.