For shooting hand held video IS is a real boon whatever the focal length of the lens. The wide end of the 24-105mm F4L is the widest stabilised EF lens that Canon make but I would love a 24mm lens with a larger aperture that had IS.

How about IS handheld versus other stabilization?
 

I'm still saving my pennies for that 70-200 IS, and I'm curious how much it can tolerate. From the comments above it looks like it is a good supplement for existing stabilization (tripod/shouldermount). But how do you operate it handheld? Do you hold it like a rifle with one hand on the body and another on the tripod mount? How long can you hold that position steady?

I tried the neckstrap trick on my 85mm prime and the picture was still all over the place. Held with two hands seemed worse. I guess the balance is different with the prime being short. Makes me wonder how much gross movement the IS can tolerate.

The Canon 70-200m F2.8L is pretty heavy & long. Using it hand held for video would be difficult even with IS. I would suggest that at the least a monopod is necessary because of the weight & balance.

Well I got the Tamron 70 - 200 f2.8 and after messing with it over the weekend I can't imagine trying to shoot video with it handheld for any amount of time. I really don't belive any amount of IS would help it's just that nose heavy. Like I said in my original post that it would be used mostly on sticks and now I can say 99 percent of the time that will be the case. I also think that the Tamron is lighter than the Canon so it would be even worse.

My bro is a pro news photog for a major daily newspaper. Here's his take on the 70-200:

"I'd go with the non-stabilized Canon lens. Less stuff to break down. I've got it on on my 70-200, but it's turned off. Burns batteries and I find it annoying when it shifts the image on you."

I realize it's a little late for some, but I would be wary of the Tamron. I came very close to purchasing one for stills (I'm fairly happy with my 28-70mm Tamron), but held out for the Canon. Still haven't picked it up yet, but LensRentals.com is liquidating their entire stock of Tamron 70-200mm because of reliability issues.

It looks like they cleared out their Canon inventory already, but you can read about it on the Nikon version: LensRentals.com - Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 for Nikon

Thanks for the tip on the 70-200mm Canon being replaced. I need to get that in my kit (and yes, it's nearly impossible to shoot video handheld with that.)

Most people are not going to be using any lens that long for handheld work when shooting video. For stills, that's a different story. Even with IS and a shoulder mount, you're not going to get steady hand held shots on anything that's not pretty wide.

After trying video with excellent L glass without stabilization vs IS glass (non -L) I can say that non stabilized glass beyond about 60mm is not that useful unless you are on a tripod, and a steady one at that.

For handheld it's a must unless you are really wide. The main problem with the IS lenses is that they make a lot of noise while the IS is on. Any close mic will pick it up.

You guys need something like this:
Steady Stick
I can use it all day long, I use the mini one without the side bar, I borrowed a 70-200 IS from a photog friend and shot on it and it works just fine, I shot this video:
with a shorter lens and the steady stick but the 70-200with IS is just as stable with the steady stick.

IS for handheld, turn off when mounted
 

I can't suggest the Canon 70-200 IS enough. Its very light ( about 3lbs.), it works, and when the x2 extender is stuck on it, the IS is worth every bit of extra $ I spent for it.

I have not had the opportunity to get one of these yet, (Its on my list tho!)

BushHawk - Home

PS>thanks for the news bout the vers I possibly going down in cost ( I hate changing glass, so this would be excellent to get another one for my x2 unit )