Wide angles and IS/VR

[DionM]

So we all know of the benefits of IS / VR on a 200mm lens. Handholding down to 1/30th or so is possible (2+ stops).

What about on a wide angle? Both Canon and Nikon have IS/VR lenses that go down to 24mm (Nikon 24-120 VR, Canon 24-105 IS).

Anyone here got experience using their VR/IS lens around 24mm? Can you still get 2 stop leeway (down to 1/8th or so) when shooting at 24mm?

The reason I ask is that I have been thinking of getting a 20mm 1.8 or 24 mm 1.8 lens. My Canon 17-40 is my widest lens, but at F4 it is quite slow, so I've been looking at a 1.8 lens to try for low light shots (mostly buildings etc - ie non-moving objects) where the issue is hand holding shake; not subject movement.

Then I started to think about the Canon 24-105 IS. Could I use it to get my wide angle low shutter speed fix ....

So ... those of you with IS/VR enabled lenses ... what sharp shots have you gotten at ridiculously low shutter speeds for wide angle photos? Remember I am comparing the results to say a 24mm f1.8 lens wide open ...

Price, extra focal length etc is not an issue here. My main requirement is low light, wide angle. Once I am satisfied that a IS / VR lens could achieve that, then I will weigh up price vs features (eg zoom costs more but has a better focal length etc).