Why do we use tripods at all? Traditionally, it’s been to keep the camera steady during the exposure so that we don’t get blurry shots. However, over recent years there have been huge improvements in camera sensors and high-ISO image quality that allow much faster shutter speeds in low light. Not only that, many cameras now have in-body stabilisation to reduce the effect of camera movement, so that camera shake can be eliminated even with slower shutter speeds.
What this means in practice is that there are almost no everyday circumstances in which we can’t expect to get a sharp, good-quality handheld shot, even in dimly lit interiors, even after dark. It’s a win-win. We can keep shutter speeds up by increasing the ISO and get shake-free shots even at slower shutter speeds.
So, what’s the catch? Well, although high-ISO image quality has come on in leaps and bounds, you do still pay a price in image quality when you shoot at higher ISOs. It might not be enough to matter, and it might even be hard to see, but it’s still a consideration.
And while IBIS systems can be very effective at combating camera shake, they are not a guarantee, any more than so-called ‘safe’ shutter speeds are a guarantee. They certainly increase your
