DIY check of image stabilisator

I know these things were invented for digital cameras but an old man with shaking hands is happy to use a modern lens (Canon EF 24-105 f:4) on a Canon 5 (not 5D).

Is there a backyard, DIY way if checking if the stabiliser works properly? Mine seems erratic.

I would try using a digital body (or you have one or can rent or borrow one) and take shots at increasingly slower shutter speeds with the IS on and off and then see if there’s a noticeable improvement in blur when you zoom in on a tablet or computer screen. You could try multiple focal lengths on the zoom lens to try and isolate any symptoms.

I would probably also turn on mirror lock-up to reduce another source of vibration while testing.

If you don’t have access to a digital body you could also do it with film, just needing extra steps to verify the effect.

I’ve not used a Canon IS lens - do they buzz or vibrate when they’re working?

psmithp said:

Is there a backyard, DIY way if checking if the stabiliser works properly? Mine seems erratic.

Click to expand...

Toggle the IS on and off, and observe the difference.
I find that on some older EOS cameras the IS for some reason only seems to work right after turning on the camera. If the camera is kept turned on all the time, IS appears not to work anymore after a while. Toggling the camera off and back on seems to resolve the issue. This is at least my experience, but it's tentative.