Cellphones and the PD170 don't mix
 

Was playing with my PD170 last night and my cell phone (in my pocket began to ring) the PD170 started giving of a shuttering vibration like the lens was going bonkers. I've heard somewhere before that cellphones can cause interference with the 150/170's steadyshot funtion. I guess this is true, if that was what I was "feeling". I have to admit, it's a bit odd feeling the camera vibrate in your hand for the first time. Hope I didn't damage anything!

My Motorola phone messes up my PC audio and my Sony consumer 520 (this has an electronic stabilizer). Cell phones do not mix with a bunch of electronics.

So, no, it is not just picking on your PD-170. ;)

Oh I know -that-, I mean my cell phone can make unshielded speakers buzz loudly. I'm just worried that the "way" it affected my camera. UGH- felt like it was getting ready to self destruct...lol. I guess I just worry about it fouling up the already nominal steady shot.

Sony actually replaced my 150 with a new unit because of this problem. That didn't do any good because the fault is in the design. Not only does the camera literally vibrate but the bang is picked up on an on-board microphone and, of course, the picture visibly jumps as well.

It is even worse if you ride in a Police Car as I do from time-to-time. Even at 20 feet the transmitters can cause the SS to act up. The only cure is to turn SS off.

The reason is that the camera is susceptable to EMP. Caused in part, I'd guess because the camera is consumes very little power and one way they achieve that goal is to have the logic circuits run well below 5 volts. Probably under 3 volts. Make the circuits much more susceptable to electrical 'noise.'

As long as you don't let it go on for very long, you (and the camera) should be OK.

Interesting.

How much does the SS help any way, while the PD-170 or even DSR-250 is on a solid tripod?

The only time they say to turn it off is when you are shooting a stationary object on a tripod, but I wonder if shooting anything on the tripod applies too? (that is turning it off)

You really don't want it on when the camera is on a tripod. Even moving around with the camera, if you look closely, you will notice that the camera's image continues to move after you've stopped moving the camera body. When the camera is on a tripod and you are doing a pan or tilt, it is very noticable.