In article
>After all the discussion on this newsgroup about the Canon 75-300 Image
>Stabilization lens' effectiveness, I decided to test it. In a nutshell,
>the image stabilization is as good as a tripod setup.
>I set up an Edmund Scientific optical test pattern resolving power >chart (a copy of the USAF 1951 Test Pattern), illuminated with
>two flash units set at 45 degrees incident to the center of the chart.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >This chart is manufactured in a 3:2 aspect ratio for 35 mm. testing. >Using Kodak Royal Gold ISO 25 film, I shot the chart with varying focal >lengths and apertures. The results were analyzed under a microscope >from the negatives, not the prints. For tripod mounting, a Bogen 3021 >tripod was used. Now, on to the results.
>f/8 300 mm. focal length
>Handheld, no IS 39.2 lpm
>Handheld, IS 70.0 lpm
>Tripod mount, no IS 70.0 lpm (rest deleted)
W,w,w,what??? This may test the efficacy of the IS for aiding focusing
for flash photos (a useful feature), but does not test its ability to
aid in hand-holding the lens! (The flash "shutter speed" is probably
at least 1/500th second - the point of the IS is to aid in slow speed
hand-holding). Back to the drawing boards! (I would like to know your
results with 300mm at 1/60th vs. the same (including same aperture) on
a tripod. BTW, the IS does work well in Canon camcorders, though there its purpose is to aid in framing stabilization.
Hope This Helps