K-5 Elecronic Level

In checking out my new K-5, I have taken a few pictures leveling the camera with the electronic level. I would say the level device is out - there is a definite horizon tilt on all those pictures!

I also tried the option for automatic correction (of the horizon), and this appeared successfully to correct the tilt (I have only tried it once, and I suppose it could be that I just got it right in the first place)?

It seems a slight omission that there is not an electronic adjustment to set the level to a correct reading in the first place, which would then allow for camera-to-camera differences in manufacture.

Do others use the level, and do you find it useful / accurate?

I find it very useful when I can't look through the viewfinder, very low angles and 10 stop filters.

I find it accurate.

Have never used it, if its out then I correct in photoshop. I suppose to test the electronic level you could place the camera on a tripod, level it using the electronic level and then get one of those small DIY plastic spirit levels to confirm the cameras level is true.

I posted a thread a week or two ago having made the same observation, unfortunately there's no way to calibrate it yourself. Whilst it isn't 100% accurate I still find it useful when taking shots using a monopod as sometimes I'm way off level - not any longer. When I'm using the tripod though I'll still use the old-fashioned way, a hotshoe bubble

Simon

Watching and learning.. interested in seeing how big an issue this is...
My wife is notorious for un-level shots... after a wedding shoot, I'm constantly levelling the horizon on her shots. I ruled out the cameras first. Then I went to her closet with a hacksaw thinking I could cut an inch off one of her shoes heels.... until I realized how many pairs of shoes she has... too much work, then saw the levelling feature on the k-5.... but that is still a lot of money.... at least Aperture has a fast easy to use level function.....

I suppose if it's off you could allow for it and instead of 1 dot showing set it to 2 or 3 dots whichever is correct.

Don't forget that the leveller doesn't composate the movent you introduce when you press the shutter.

Good idea - just checked mine, it's actually level when showing 3 bars to the left in the viewfinder, now noted for future use!!

Simon

As long as you are never temped to use the horizon correction function .

My K-7 went the same way, but only in the horizontal plane, in the vertical plane it is fine. However I got so fed up with the conflict between the actual view and level display that I turned the level function off (and got the ev-bar back in the view finder).

On the K-7 the level stops working anyway if the camera is pointed up or down around >30 degrees so can't be depended to work in all circumstances.

If I ever have to submit my K-7 for a service or repair I'll ask to have the level fixed as well but for the moment I can live without it.

Glyn

They should have an option where you can calibrate the level yourself, it can't be that hard right?

Agreed. I guess it is either a mechanical adjustment or perhaps something in a hidden or external service menu but I don't think anyone has found it yet .

Glyn

Isn't it in the debug menu???

I didn't mean it was hidden though but they should give you a way to calibrate it.
They can simply put the axis off with a software adjustment right so nothing mechanical or electronic.

If it is then it is not obvious as I can't see anything that looks like this in the K-7 debug menu and I will not risk risk tinkering in there without knowing exactly what everything does .

The usual web searches only revel people complaining about the issue and nothing about how to fix it other than sending the camera in for repair.

This is why I think it might be a mechanical adjustment. I did see somewhere on the web parts of the service manual for the K10D. This showed that under the bottom cover there are adjustment screws for various sensor position settings and wonder if K-7 level is adjusted in a similar same way. I'm not though prepared to take my K-7 apart just to find this out while everything else is working fine .

Glyn

I thought I'd follow this one up with Pentax support - here's the response:



Thank you for contacting Pentax.
The electronic lever alignment is a aid for the photographer, but we cant garantee that will be 100% accurate.
There is no way to manually ajust the level.

If you are in need of further assistance, please respond to this email or call our technical support center.

Sincerely,
Tiago Martins
Pentax Imaging Technical Support

I have used the level quite a lot on a tripod but i have never really trusted it- sometimes it just "looks" wrong. I think I will rely on a spirit level and gravity from now on.

A good feature but only if it is cast iron otherwise its value is severley diminished.