How important is image stabilization in a camera?

Question: How important is image stabilization in a camera!?

Do you think it's a necessity or just an added bonus!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

ONLY a added bonus!.!.

Just a few years ago there was nothing like this and how did all them OTHER photographers learn how to take - sharp - images!.!.!?!? I mean it didn't happen accidental

In a few years we won't have to do anything, including think (which is almost the case now a daze) on how to do anything!.!.

I have already encountered people who's auto focus stopped working, but they failed to realize the lens also had a focus ring on it you could turn by hand!. However, their shooting was done and they put the camera away, broken!.!.!.

All this auto everything is cool and "good" (somewhat) but way too many haven't a clue as to what is going on from the time they turn the camera on till they click the shutter button!.!.

Bob - Tucson - just a old school kind'a guy!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Both- I'm just a newbie in photography but, I think Having a clear picture takes image stabilization, especially with a digital camera, but sometimes having a little blur is just what you need!. It depends on the picture, and the opinion of the photographer!. If you are taking a picture for someone else, then of course it is always good to keep your camera still!. For example, once the model starts to choose which picture he or she likes best, they will most likely pick the ones that they look best in!. If you didn't take still pictures in every shot and they pick the ones that are blurred, that is a problem!. Because you probably won't see the same pose twice!. If blur is needed in the picture, then you can always photo shop it!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

A bonus!.
The fact is that putting a camera on a tripod or solid surface will allow far longer exposures than IS, be it in the camera body or in the lens!. And for moving subjects it's useless anyway!.
But, if I could afford a decent IS lens for my SLR I'd definitely have one!. Especially for indoor stuff like museums or outdoors in the middle of a dense forest!. Tripods aren't always convenient to carry!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Phootographers got great pictures from SLR cameras for at least half a century without image stabilization!. I would vote it as a bonus but a very helpful one!. If you did not have VR/IS then you would have to stay at a higher shutter speed so you would have to use higher ISOs more often!. I'll probably get a thumbs down for this next but IS in the lens instead of the camera has proved to work better with less effect on focusing aquisition times!. I can link the Canon white paper on it if anyone needs it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Definitely a necessity!. A lot of people do not realize that their hands shake when they hold the camera!. The Image stabilization detects even the slightest movement and neutralizes it!. This is especially helpful in low light situations where longer exposure is required!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Depends on the subject matter and how steady your hands are, but for the most part I don't think it's necessary, and you can always use a tripod if you're using long exposures!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It's an added bonus, but the IS lenses are in fact, a very great thing!. So with the two put together, I'd like think it would be an equation for clear sharp images all the time!.

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