Levels

Reading through a journal the other day I noticed the recommendation of a small hot-shoe bubble level as an aid to ensuring the camera is-of course-level. Just a quite thought on this, but it might be worth testing any such level for accuracy as not all levels are in fact'level'.
Take a camera to the shop with you and after fitting the level make a note of where the bubble itself rests. Now turn it (or the camera) through 180 degrees and note the position of the bubble again. If there's any variation in the position of the bubble, ask for another one...there shouldn't be any variation if it's a good'un.

The archaeologist.

Precisely!

This, of course, assumes that that the surface you have placed the camera is perfectly level...

(they do call me PerdanTim)

If you don't move the camera at all and turn the level 180 deg., then the reading should be the same, level or not. If the camera is not level, the bubble will be off, and it will be off by the same amount if you turn the level around 180 deg.

You'll find a discrepancy if the level is not accurate.

To be more precise.
If the bubble of the tripod is off, you get one shot leaning left and the other one leaning right.
If it's the camera then both photo's should lean the same way.

Interestingly, the last time I saw a builder at work he was checking things with his level in both directions (just like the suggested test procedure). With enough experience you can tell it isn't right, the level just convinces you either way!

I used to have a hotshoe level but lost it ages ago, I haven't felt the urge to replace it. Providing I have time to settle my images tend to be decently level, although grabbed shots can be wobbly as I tend to line up on known horizontal or vertical lines in the composition.

Doesn't matter if the surface is level or not dude, the bubble should be in exactly the same spot -off centre or otherwise- when you rotate the camera because it ain't the surface upon which the camera rests that you're testing...it's the spirit level itself

How do they get the bubble out, I thought the units were sealed.

I'd like one with two bubbles in, and then I could see if they disagreed.

The level is causing me loads of hassle on the K-5. Never used one before. I now use the horizon leveller thing to get the camera absolutely perfect and the bloody picture looks squint. I'm just going to use my eye from now on and then do whatever in pp to make it look ok.

How do they get the bubble out, I thought the units were sealed.[/quote]It takes time. You basically have to gain its trust through hours of patient nurturing whereupon it will eventually become familiar-and trusting- enough with you to come out upon gentle enticement.

Does anyone know where I can buy a "Bubble Inflater"
I've got two small spirit levels, but the bubbles seem to
have gone smaller

"Bubble Inflater" shop ebay dont do them anymore and Amazon have sold out

And here is the Nine O'Clock News:

An internet forum was closed down today and several of its members were seen to be carried away by men in white coats, the victims were flicking their lips with a finger and repeating the words bubble bubble bubble....

All this talk, hype and speculation about spirit levels.
Mark my words, the spirit level bubble will burst and then, what will you all do?

Eh?