I have heard it both ways leave it on and turn it off when using the tripod, only thing I see that canon says in the manual is that it saves battery power to turn it off.
This is Bryan's Comment you were mentioned:
- With a super telephoto lens, image stabilization is even important with tripod use as wind and other destabilizing sources can add movement/vibration to your setup. Fortunately, the IS version on this lens is tripod-sensing. The Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens knows that a tripod is being used when vibrations go below a certain level. Keep IS turned on when mounting the 500 L on a tripod to take advantage of this secondary IS mode - reducing mirror slap, shutter and tripod vibrations.
Myself, I have seen times, where the tripod and head was locked down with no vibrations and the stabilizer would kick on. When it does this the image seems to float while it is stabilizing. I have a very stable tripod and head, but if I had one less stable I would probably be more inclined to leave the IS on.
Good luck and have fun with your new lens.




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