Originally posted by JRMax No, most of the time I put on the tripod to reduce camera shake because I'm finding it difficult to hand hold it steady at 300mm. For moving subjects like ducks and insects the timer wouldn't work. Am I right that I'm giving up resolution by leaving SR on when on a tripod?
The reason SR is turned off by default on assumed tripod situations such as timer delay or remote is the SR system may try to compensate for non existing shake when on a tripod and not being held and can therefore be moving the sensor when it shouldn't.
If you are just using the tripod as a rest and have the head loose I think you need to test whether your hands are still inducing shake.
If they are then leaving SR on is a good idea.
Pressing the shutter could be causing some movement of the gear.