to IS or not to IS

[soltek]

Now that i have the 40d with the 17/85 is usm, i am already looking for another lens maybe the 70/300 IS lens.
What bothers me is the price over £350 for the lens  , i know in lens terms this is the cheap end of the market,i can get the non IS version for a lot less. the problem is sharpness and camera shake now i can, i know use a faster shutter speed or a tripod to combat this but don't want i use either really.

My question is this, i have read many a quote saying that people that have used this lens, that it  is ok used hand held at lower shutter speeds but the problem accures at low light you do need the tripod. Can you really use this sort of lens the non IS version Hand held without camera shake spoiling the photo in normal conditions

[Carlj]

Some people have to pay for stabilisation? Are they mad? 

Seriously, can't comment on non-stabilised, as all my lenses come with it as standard. But, and this may be relevant, 99% of my shots are handheld, many at speeds considered unworkable, and still get great results. As you push towards 300mm, it'll be worth the investment.

[soltek]

i think i will go for the 70/300 IS and possibly the prime 50m [nifty fifty] i have heard it called, and sometime in the far future get L series .
I have no specific area of photograghy i like to try my hand at anything, except nudes ofcourse, erhemm !! lol.
so before the end of the year i should have the
17/85 IS usm
50 prime
70/300 IS

[Tripod]

The quick answer from me would be.........go for IS every time and if possible L series lenses.

Then again I'm 70 and trying to keep control lol.

[guest4]

Got to say I've also found IS to be a godsend. Sell your Canons and buy a proper camera with IS in the body   

[soltek]

] Sell your Canons and buy a proper camera with IS in the body

the problem with that is ,that at full zoom you can't see the image properly when trying to manual focus ,it's all over the place , or so i heard  . The camera still stabilizes the image though, but  i prefer to see it in the lens
       when i can afford one ofcourse

[Carlj]

Have never had that problem, mind you, it could be alcohol that causes that effect.... 

[soltek]

  So carrying a tripod instead of a box of stella on photo shoots would solve the problem then if it does then my perception that i take great photos has gone out the window   

[oRGie]

So carrying a tripod instead of a box of stella on photo shoots would solve the problem then if it does then my perception that i take great photos has gone out the window   

lmao