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pcfranchina
05-24-2007, 05:47
I have noticed on a bunch of my photos, the horizon is not level. Anyone ever user a hotshoe mounted level like this one?

http://www.adorama.com/catlite.tpl?op=large_image&sku=TPBLD.jpg

I know this wouldn't work for quick street snaps but it might work for landscape kind of shots. Would this only work if the camera is mounted on a tripod, or would it be somewhat visable when shooting handheld? Any help?

Bryce
05-24-2007, 10:04
I use a similar level for wide angle shots, and started doing it after repeatedly ending up with not-quite-parallel building sides and such. It works like a charm, but as you say, isn't the quickest for handheld shots.
I actually didn't pay for a fancy one, just a bullseye type one from the hardware store. It doesn't attach to the camera at all.
One of my wide cameras, a Brooks Veriwide has them built in. They see use nearly every shot.
If you shoot wide and especially architecture, these will save a lot of frustration later.

pcfranchina
05-24-2007, 10:39
Thats the same problem I was having. This can be corrected with Photoshop but.... Id so much rather fix the problem before hand, considering it is a user error.

Kent
05-24-2007, 10:42
Hi!

I don't use one but a friend of mine does. He is quite satisfied with the improvement.

back alley
05-24-2007, 10:43
i bought one but never use it.

pcfranchina
05-24-2007, 10:48
Its either give it a shot or stop drinking...... 30 buxks well spent. I will probably pick one up next week.

FrankS
05-24-2007, 11:01
Why not just be aware of the issue while composing in the viewfinder? It should be one of the things you do while composing.

Bryce
05-24-2007, 11:24
Frank-
With 15 and 21mm viewfinders that distort and scenes where verticals are critical, just looking through the viewfinder just isn't reliable.
I've thought about putting a crosshair in the center of the field of view, but I won't do that to an expensive viewfinder.
So the level gets used.

pcfranchina
05-24-2007, 11:25
I must say with the R3a and the 40mm framelines I have some difficulty composing to the outer ends of the framelines. So sometimes its not exactly level.

ferider
05-24-2007, 11:39
I have noticed on a bunch of my photos, the horizon is not level. Anyone ever user a hotshoe mounted level like this one?

http://www.adorama.com/catlite.tpl?op=large_image&sku=TPBLD.jpg

I know this wouldn't work for quick street snaps but it might work for landscape kind of shots. Would this only work if the camera is mounted on a tripod, or would it be somewhat visable when shooting handheld? Any help?

Yes. Also a CV double shoe adapter. Even very useful for 28mm.
Only makes sense if you use tripod though.

Roland.