I shop around for the best prices I can find on equipment. It's alarming at the differences I find in pricing sometime. I use Canon equipment primarily at this time. . Canon came out with lenses that have internal stabilization technology in 1995. I was curious, and checked them out.
Camera shake is a major course of blurred images.
Normally it takes fast film, higher shutter speed and more light to prevent blurred pictures, while hand holding a camera and lens. Because I like photographing action, flying, running, preening, foraging and other behavior, this was appealing to me. I bought my first IS lens and a canon back Since that day, I have continued to purchase other IS lenses, and have upgraded my camera back as well. Now that I am shooting canon, I have learned to appreciate the ergonomics of these cameras. I find them easier for me to manage.