Digital camera accessories

[brenda]

How important are image stabilizing lenses?  Is there something in the digital photography systems that make images more prone to blur or camera shake?  I'm from the standard film generation and understand about aperture and shutterspeeds relative to image blur.  Now that I'm looking into buying my first digital 35mm slr system, I'm seeing alot about image stabilizing lenses and wondered if this is really needed or would I just handle my images "old school" like I already know how to do?

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Brenda and welcome to the Q&A Board,

There are two types of Image Stabilization systems for digital single lens reflex cameras (in-lens, in-camera). There are pros and cons to each. You can read about them here:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/11/dslr-is.php

I recently bought my first DSLR. Based on my shooting style, I opted for image stabilized lenses, though they tend to be more expensive at this time. I use telephoto lenses and like to photograph wildlife, including birds in flight. It's important that the image in the viewfinder be stabilized. This is not the case with in-body IS.

Compact digital cameras are especially prone to camera shake because they are small, many do not have high shutter speeds or usable high ISO. Some don't even have viewfinders so users hold the camera at arms length.

I think you will find differing of opinions among seasoned DSLR users as to whether IS is a must. For many, it hinges of the speed and focal length of the lens. But I find it of great value, wouldn't be without it and many others feel the same. IS is being incorporated into many more cameras and lenses than before.

Before buying any lens, you need to find out the "focal length multiplier" of the camera. So, unless you're buying a full frame DSLR, the focal length of the lens will be longer than specified (see comments below by Deb). You may find my DSLR dilemma blog helpful, where I share some of my findings about the world of DSLR cameras. It's an interesting journey, and while similar to using a film SLR, there is quite a bit to learn:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/11/

Please don't hesitate to ask if you have further quesitons. All the best with your new DSLR!

Related reading:

Image Stablization:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-features/camera-parts/image-stabilization.php

Focal length multiplier:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/11/flm.php

[Deb]

How important are image stabilizing lenses?  Is there something in the digital photography systems that make images more prone to blur or camera shake?

(Here's my 2cents worth ....   )
Hi there, in a word, no, if you are referring to digital SLRs as compared to film SLRs. If you've got steady hands and can handle handholding a telephoto lens attached to a film body, you can handle a telephoto lens attached to a digital body. There's no difference. You can indeed operate them "old school" like you're used to.

Now, something to keep in mind is that for some (not all) digital SLRs there is a multiplication factor which is dependent on the camera's sensor. Some are indeed full-frame like your film SLR, others have a factor of 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 etc. What this does is effectually increase the focal length of the lenses attached to that digital SLR body. So in the case of a dSLR with a multiplication factor of 1.5, your 200mm lens would "effectually" be more in line with a 300mm lens. Just keep the "new" focal length in mind when selecting shutterspeeds if you want to handhold them or track moving objects.

[brenda]

Thanks!  This is very helpful info.