OIS function on D-Lux 2

[ho_co]

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I'm curious about others' results with OIS.

 

I am quite happy with the D-Lux 2 but have never been completely satisfied with its image stabilization. (I am a bit wobbly and need whatever help I can get.)

 

I recently ran a comparison set of the same subject hand-held at about 1/8 to 1/15 sec. I made four shots each a) in Stabilizer Mode 1; in Stabilizer Mode 2; and c) with Stabilizer off.

 

Results were the same in all three sets--one image very blurred, two barely usable, one decent but not great.

 

Is this a general pattern for such a small camera? Or should I send the camera off for checking?

 

Many thanks for any insights!

 

--HC

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[biglouis]

Hmmm. I've never made any comparisons but I've always attributed the ability to create usable pictures at 1/30 and even 1/15 to OIS. Perhaps I have a steadier grip although I don't believe this is the case given the fact that I'm no spring chicken

 

Maybe it does need checking.

 

LouisB

[lx1jon]

I have the LX1 sibling and am very pleased with the OIS. I think Mode 2 is the best to use if you are "pushing" things. In mode 1 it is working away all the time to stabilise what you see in the viewfinder, which means that at the moment you press the shutter it might be approaching full correction in a particular direction; if you wobble some more in the same direction during the press it can run out of scope for adjustment. In mode 2 it starts from its nominal cerntre position every time. Statistically you should win.

 

Is OIS foolproof? No. But it sure helps a lot. I get a decent proportion of keepers at 1/8 and even slower than that. I wouldn't with a normal camera. Sometimes I still shake too much; more often the subject moves and I have the giveaway sharp background, blurred person.

 

Anyway it makes up a lot for the fact that we can't pretend this is a quiet camera, and I can still have a shot at "available darkness"! Of course, if I had an M8 and a Nocti... In the meantime the LX1 lives in my pocket and is always ready.

 

This picture is an example of 1/5 sec.

 

Some of the other contributors give good advice on breathing technique. I'm still learning.

 

Good luck,

 

Jonathan

[lx1jon]

... and this is playing silly b***ers at 0.8 sec. It's not quite crisp if you pixel-peep, despite a little help from a paper cup, but I found taking self-portrait in mirror working late in hotel room a bit of a challenge, as of course I wanted to look up, not at the camera. Anyway, when you're waiting for a promised late e-mail contribution that never comes, you find ways to amuse yourself :-)

 

I could NOT have done this without OIS; even if it's not perfect with it, the picture conveys the message I wanted.

 

Jonathan

[ho_co]

Louis & Jonathan--Thanks both for your info.

 

When I first worked with the camera I was disappointed how little good the OIS seemed to do, but figured that might just be par for the course. Then I got a dSLR with image stabilization, and I found that with it I can hand-hold the equivalent of a 300mm at around 1/15 sec with very good results.

 

So your good experience implies that my sample of the camera may be acting up.

 

Guess I need to send it in.

 

Thanks for the response!

 

--HC

[lx1jon]

Louis & Jonathan--Thanks both for your info.

 

When I first worked with the camera I was disappointed how little good the OIS seemed to do, but figured that might just be par for the course. Then I got a dSLR with image stabilization, and I found that with it I can hand-hold the equivalent of a 300mm at around 1/15 sec with very good results.

 

So your good experience implies that my sample of the camera may be acting up.

 

Guess I need to send it in.

 

Thanks for the response!

 

--HC

 

Howard, 2 things. First, although I am very glad of the help from the LX1 OIS, I wouldn't expect to achieve anything quite as dramatic as 1/15 on a 300mm lens, that sounds to be verging on the magical to me... (I've never used a modern DSLR so I have no point of reference). So while I find the LX1 good, don't expect the impossible.

 

Secondly there is perhaps a little test you could do before resorting to returning your camera. Remember that mode 1 stabilises the display on the LCD. Not something I find useful for taking pictures, as explained, but it enables us to do a test. With the camera on, look at the LCD while moving camera a little side to side or up and down. In OFF or mode 2 you find the image moving as you would expect; in mode 1 it should be stabilised to a fair degree. I tried this just now and it is quite obvious. The test also shows that it is translational movement (side to side or up and down) that it works on; doesn't seem to do anything for rotation.

 

So I hope that little test might help to determine if there is a physical fault. It also perhaps explains a possible limitation: if we rotate the camera when pressing the shutter, OIS isn't going to save our hides. So everything we were taught about squeezing the thing is still needed.

 

Hope that helps, and that your camera gets fixed quickly if it is broken.

 

Jonathan

[ho_co]

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1/15 on a 300mm lens, that sounds to be verging on the magical to me...

Jonathan--

Agreed. I was used to the D-Lux 2's OIS when I got the stabilized long lens for the dSLR, and was quite surprised at its performance. I would never have expected anything similar, even if I weren't wobbly enough on my own.

 

Secondly there is perhaps a little test you could do before resorting to returning your camera...

Good idea. I'l definitely check it. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

The "Test" mode seems to me simply to grab an image and hold it for a few seconds, rather than actually to be stabilizing a continuously changing image--therefore completely useless.

 

You and Louis have given me some handles on the matter; always better to hear from fellow users what their experiences are before calling something defective.

 

--HC

[ho_co]

...With the camera on, look at the LCD while moving camera a little side to side or up and down. In OFF or mode 2 you find the image moving as you would expect; in mode 1 it should be stabilised to a fair degree. I tried this just now and it is quite obvious.

Very helpful, Jonathan!

 

I've checked the camera as you suggested, and I see no difference between OFF, Mode 1 and Mode 2. Moving the camera slightly seems to produce exactly the same effect in all cases.

 

Drat. I carry the camera all the time, and don't want to be without it. But your test says I need to send it for repair!

 

Thanks to both of you, letting me know it's my sample that is acting up, and not a general condition of the camera.

 

--HC