topic Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth? in EF & RF Lenses

Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

JamesHarvey — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 22:15:38 GMT

I remembering "reading somewhere" (i.e. I don't have a "quotable source") that many Canon telephoto lenses have a 'tripod detection" feature (presumably by detecting no instability) that automatically disables the IS, but is this just an urban myth? The manual for my RF200-200 says:

"When using a tripod, the Image Stabilizer might not be fully effective or it might be better to set the STABILIZER switch to OFF, depending on the type of tripod and where the tripod is located, as well as on the camera’s settings such as shutter speed."

I find similar statements in the manuals for the RF100-400, 100-500, 800/11, 800/5.6, EF600/4 (i & iii), EF800/5.6.

So is there such a thing as Auto Tripod Detection or was I dreaming: it would actually be a bad dream, as I really need control over the IS, when, for example, using a motorized panoramic tripod or star tracker!

Thanks/JH

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

shadowsports — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 22:50:26 GMT

Greetings,

I haven't heard of such a feature. When using a tripod, its recommended that you switch IS off on the lens, or in the cameras menus for lenses that do not have an IS switch.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

JamesHarvey — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 01:34:31 GMT

I actually found one reference, from Canon Europe:

Last section in: https://www.canon-europe.com/pro/infobank/image-stabilisation-lenses/

"With some of the earlier lenses, you needed to switch the IS off when using a tripod as the lack of movement confused the system and the image started to jump around the viewfinder. However, even when using a tripod, there can be some camera movement in high wind or with super telephoto lenses, which means the IS system can be invaluable. More recent IS lenses are able to detect the use of a tripod and automatically disable the IS, if necessary."

But I still have not found reference to it in any Canon lens specs.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

Waddizzle — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 01:47:07 GMT

No, it’s not an urban myth. For Canon DSLRs, 1D Series bodies would automatically disable the IS when used with select L series lenses. I first read about it on a European Canon web site in an area for CPS members. It is no longer available to non-members.

Select R Series bodies have been reported to also exhibit this behavior with Great White primes.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4566650

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

JamesHarvey — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 01:43:37 GMT

Thanks for confirming that it does exist: not sure if you saw the ref I posted above.

It would be nice to have a list of those lens/body combos that do & don't do it!

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

Waddizzle — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 01:52:22 GMT

No, I didn’t see your link. We must have cross posted. It was only available on 1D series DSLRs when I first read about it.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

JamesHarvey — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 05:08:45 GMT

Thanks! The DP review link leads to one thread where the same question is being asked (due to noted behavior for vodeo with the 100-500) but not answered, and the other goes to a link to the Canon EU article that I referenced!

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

jrhoffman75 — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 12:21:28 GMT

@JamesHarvey wrote:

I actually found one reference, from Canon Europe:

Last section in: https://www.canon-europe.com/pro/infobank/image-stabilisation-lenses/

"With some of the earlier lenses, you needed to switch the IS off when using a tripod as the lack of movement confused the system and the image started to jump around the viewfinder. However, even when using a tripod, there can be some camera movement in high wind or with super telephoto lenses, which means the IS system can be invaluable. More recent IS lenses are able to detect the use of a tripod and automatically disable the IS, if necessary."

But I still have not found reference to it in any Canon lens specs.

From what I read a number of years ago the issue isn't tripod per se, but a rigid support condition. Early versions of IS got "confused" is they didn't detect any motion and started "hunting" so they were actually causing the IS module to start moving. Later versions could detect that condition and disable the IS.

This was discussed in an article discussed in The-Digital-Picture dot com site in 2017.

In a recent post, we answered the question Should You Turn Off "IS" When Using Action-Stopping Shutter Speeds? One of the questions generated by that post asked if image stabilization should be turned off or left enabled when shooting from a tripod. So, we went back to our very-knowledgeable Canon representative with this question. Again, the information below should not be considered official Canon guidelines, but it comes from a person who has substantial knowledge about Canon lenses and their IS systems.

First off, let's be clear -- any discussion about Image Stabilization on a tripod refers ONLY to a truly rock-solid tripod, on a totally firm surface without vibrations from passing traffic and so on. In many real-world situations, we're using tripods and other supports in conditions that really aren't totally solid. A good test, before discussing the question any further: the next time you're mounted on a tripod, turn your camera's Live View on, and magnify the LCD monitor image to its greatest setting. It's sometimes amazing how much shake and movement there really is, even on a tripod."
At that point in time TDP had a close relationship with the late Chuck Westfall, so I suspect he was the Canon rep.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

ebiggs1 — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:17:49 GMT

I have used nothing but 1D Series cameras for years and years and I never noticed such a feature. Personally I never turn IS or OS or VC off. I have done a good bit of testing with each and can't really see any difference. Now for the record I don't do videos just stills. You see someone, or several, probably had a photo ruined and had the IS on correlation does not imply causation. The thing is this if you think it bothers you turn it off, Simple, no biggie.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

p4pictures — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 17:27:05 GMT

Canon Inc. in Tokyo used to produce an information packed book called EF lens work, it listed all the lenses in detail with example images, MTF charts and more. In the last sections of the book there are pages of details about the EF lens technology. I have a "prized" copy of EF Lens Work III Eighth edition from September 2006. This may be the last run of this book. In the EF lens technology section is a paragraph titled Tripod-compatible Image Stabilizer.

In this paragraph it mentions that early lenses with IS had an issue when used on a tripod, and that EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM and other models in the super telephoto L series IS range were equipped with an IS unit that can detect when the lens is stationary on a tripod making it unnecessary to switch the IS off.

EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM was introduced in 1999. I believe the most models post 1999 with IS had the same "tripod detection" ability, but still some photographers believe it is better to be sure and so they turn off the IS on the lens when using a tripod. If you are using a motorised tracker the IS may operate since the lens is moving. I would advise turning IS off in such case.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

normadel — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 17:47:57 GMT

Can anyone think of HOW a lens could know it is on a tripod, to automatically disable IS? Seems there would have to be a switch on the body by the tripod socket, or IN the tripod socket, that gets pressed by the tripod surface or screw. Did this ever exist?

Otherwise, the idea of a lens disabling IS automatically doesn't sound realistic.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

p4pictures — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 17:55:07 GMT

This is the text written in the EF Lens Work III book.

Tripod-compatible Image Stabilizer

When the first IS lenses were used with a tripod, the image stabilizer malfunctioned, requiring the photographer to turn off the image stabilizer function. However, the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM and other new models in the super telephoto L type IS series are equipped with an image stabilizer that can be used with a tripod, which prevents malfunctioning. Since the system uses a vibration gyro to automatically detect when the camera is mounted on a tripod, the photographer can focus on the photograph without having to think about turning the stabilizer on and off. And when a monopod is used with any lens in the IS series, image stabilization is identical to that achieved during hand-held photography.

I did find a PDF of EF Lens Work online too. It's an interesting read.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

Waddizzle — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 17:59:03 GMT

“

. In the EF lens technology section is a paragraph titled Tripod-compatible Image Stabilizer.

This is entirely consistent with what I recall reading on the Canon Europe site. The feature would work with “Great Whites” and 1D bodies. I would be curious to know what is reported in the EXIF metadata with the DSLRs.

One veteran forum member reported that his RF body exhibited the same behavior. I believe that he was referring to EF Mark II great whites and at least one L series RF mount telephoto zoom.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

normadel — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 18:00:27 GMT

So then, the camera senses vibration or lack of, not that it is specifically on a tripod. And instantaneously switches IS on and off at the slightest provocation?

Sounds like a feature best removed.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

p4pictures — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 18:01:10 GMT

The reason the content on the Canon Europe website is consistent with the EF Lens Work book, is that the books were source material for the Canon Europe website content.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

JamesHarvey — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 21:48:33 GMT

Thanks, all, but I note that none of this has apparently been updated into the R series era 20 years later, but I will investigate that. This is a real issue for mixed-mode R series shooters like myself, and when using motorized panorama & astro heads where we very much need to keep IS on.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

jrhoffman75 — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 22:12:20 GMT

Have you seen it to be a problem? I would expect that the motion of an equatorial mount is slow enough to not need stabilizing.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

ebiggs1 — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:31:32 GMT

IMHO as I have already stated I have never seen a problem with the IS. I don't have a EF 300mm f2.8L but I have a good friend that does so I have used it a fair bit. I never give the IS a thought. I know of no setting in 1D series camera(s) that has that function of automatically turning IS off when sensing a tripod. Perhaps someone can enlighten me.

The closest lens to that I personally own and I use a lot and have a lot of time with is my Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Lens. I never turn its OS off either. Again it's really a moot point, if it bothers you or you think it bothers you switch it off. It's not that difficult.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

JamesHarvey — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 19:40:36 GMT

I use a Benro Polaris, which is effectively a 3D motorized tripod head, on a very solid & heavy Manfrotto metal tripod. When used with a short lens (10-20mm) for Milky Way images there is no issue, but when used with longer lenses (400-800mm) for deep sky objects, even with careful balance and wind protection you still have a mechanically resonant system, & occasionally I can see some slight jitter in the images which you would expect IS to nullify; & I have confirmed this by watching the live output from the camera on a PC screen. But the same problem is also seen when shooting video when tripod mounted with lenses like the RF100-500, RF200-800 & RF800/11 which, unlike the bight white primes for which this feature was originally introduced, do not have much angular inertia due to their relatively short length and/or light weight.

This whole question arose because I saw a FB posting on one of the Canon R groups that showed a video taken using a tripod with IS on (I believe it was an R6ii+200-800), but the video was still shaky, similar to my own findings, so one issue was whether this was due to the IS being automatically disabled; i.e. with no option to enable it.

Re: Is "automatic tripod detection to disable IS" an urban myth?

jrhoffman75 — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 20:09:47 GMT

It’s not a camera feature. It’s built in to the lens.

Why and how Canon implemented it is posted in some responses.

The OP’s issue is he doesn’t want it to automatically shut off.