Camera level indicator?

LongLensPhotography

LongLensPhotography

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Has anyone tried one those electronic LED camera level sensors?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270810468...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_4257wt_1114

The good old spirit level doesn't look very accurate to me (in this particular form factor) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220568284...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_2624wt_1114

So far I have relied on gridded focusing screen, but sometimes (particularly with 10 stop) I do get 1-2 degree error. That obviously impacts sharpness a little bit. 24-70@24 and 17-40 have lots of distortion so are v. difficult to get straigth by looking, although distortion correction already impacts on sharpness there.
 
Personally i wouldnt use the little spirit level thingy, i would be tempted to buy a small general spirit level and use that by resting it on the hotshoe mount. One which is about 6 inches or so.

I wouldnt expect the electric one to be that accurate either, doesnt look very well built
 
was looking into these a few weeks ago.... seculine do a fab version of a 3 way levelling sensor which was the way im thinking of going.... but as yet havent taken the plunge so cant comment on how it 'actually is'
 
I have a near identical one from 7dayshop, much easier to see than the bubble type and couldn't really go wrong for a tenner
 
I have one of the little spirit level ones that fit in the hotshot. They are surprisingly easy to use and accurate too, especially if you are using a screen to compose your shot. They also work in portrait mode.
Allan
 
7D has a built in one Rich
Click to expand...

Thanks for the thought Dave, bought the level when I had a 40D although must say haven't used the built in one since I got the 7D

Is it any good?

Cheers
Rich
 
specialman said:
I'm not seeing how a bubble in a box can't be accurate - are there better bubbles the more you pay?... ;)
Click to expand...

It is as accurate as your judgement of it's readings. I can't see how a big bubble and no scale will be of much help to get it 100% perfect. A proper builder's spirit level is a different thing, except it won't mount.
 
Thanks for that Dave, will give it a go, does look pretty good

Had a look at the one you can see in the viewfinder by pressing the mfn button, but the LCD screen version looks much better

Cheers
Rich
 
Ozei said:
Which one Allan - got a link?
Click to expand...

Its the same as the one in the ebay link further up the thread though I remember buying mine from a local camera shop.
It doesn't seem to be any more difficult to use than the built in level meter in my camera. Of course, you can't see it through the viewfinder.
They are great for setting your camera perfectly level in both axis on a tripod, especially if you want to do panorama shots ( of course, the tripod has to be level first!)
Allan
 
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I find the spirit level app for the iphone works really well, just hold the phone on the hot shoe.
 
ah5168 said:
I find the spirit level app for the iphone works really well, just hold the phone on the hot shoe.
Click to expand...

Great idea :thumbs: - some nice android apps too (clinometer). I will need to try not to drop the phone into the sea :thinking:

It will take me some headscratching to calibrate the monster camera phone :lol:
 
specialman said:
I'm not seeing how a bubble in a box can't be accurate - are there better bubbles the more you pay?... ;)
Click to expand...

:agree:

Didn't you know? Some of those bubbles are *really* high tech!

On the other hand I usually try and take the best guess when actually shooting and sort it out finally on post process. :eek:
 
I think that little electronic thing only works in one dimension, which makes it pretty useless IMHO.

Just get a bubble level.
 
I've had 2 seculine ones and both have broken on me so I personally wouldn't touch one with a barge pole.
The normal little bubble levels work fine but buy a couple.I've lost quite a few over the years while walking about with them attatched to the camera.A small thing but I now won't entertain buying a camera that doesn't have one built in.

Gary
 
daugirdas said:
It is as accurate as your judgement of it's readings. I can't see how a big bubble and no scale will be of much help to get it 100% perfect. A proper builder's spirit level is a different thing, except it won't mount.
Click to expand...

Obviously my sense of humour is lost on some people...
 
There's one on the tripod.... However that usually ends up staying in the car while I rest the camera on a fence....
 
I have a low profile one in the hotshoe of my camera - never use it as a level though, it's primary purpose is to prevent the inbuilt flash from popping up at inopportune moments (yes - it's all turned off in the menus too but may as well rely on two protections as one :))
 
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