Levels

[John Kasaian]

A partially swilled half pint of Hill and Hill can make for an excellent artifical horizon in a pinch!

[Leonard Evens]

I've been searching for a buble level of some sort to attach to my crown. I'm having a hard time of it though.
The closest thing I can find is a bullseye level that is about 1.5 inches in diameter. Problem is, that's sort of big and the level is perhaps a bit too sensitive.

Anyone have a good source for appropriate levels?

You can find a wide variety of levels at.

www.bhphotovideo.com

Just do a search on `bubble levels' at that website.

i've used a variety of levels. I found the best for use with my Toho FC-54X are the hot shoe bubble levels. I don't use them with a hot shoe, but they provide the greatest choice of different positions.

[Mark Sawyer]

...and a quick note to check that a level is true before buying. I've seen quite a few cheap levels that are substantially off.

[Colin Graham]

...and a quick note to check that a level is true before buying. I've seen quite a few cheap levels that are substantially off.

True. In my experience the 'inner ear & eyeball' method is usually more accurate.

[Preston]

Yep, a stiff hit of Hill and Hill would certainly level the playing field...or the player :-)

[wclavey]

OMG! You mean I'm supposed to level the camera, too!

[venchka]

OMG! You mean I'm supposed to level the camera, too!

No way. Just fix it in Photoshop.

Photoshop can fix anything, right?

[kev curry]

...and a quick note to check that a level is true before buying. I've seen quite a few cheap levels that are substantially off.

Its even true of expensive levels too in my experience. I would only buy a level if I could test it there and then, before buying!

[John Whitley]

Call Calumet's parts department. They carry all kinds of spirit level replacement parts for various cameras. That's where I got the levels I'm using on my Toho.

Ah, I've been wondering about levels for my Toho (FC-45X) as well. Bruce, what kind of levels did you end up with? Would you happen to have a part number or description that would speed along discussion w/ the Calumet folks?

[dazedgonebye]

Ok, I have zero experience with large format and landscapes...so in my ignorance, I do kinda wonder why I need to level the camera.
(Don't hit me!)

I've taken thousands of pictures with hand held cameras and leveled them only by eyeball. Yes, I've had to make a few fixes in post processing, 'cause I'm not always level-headed.

Wouldn't it be even easier though to get the image level with a large format camera? I mean I've got lines on my ground glass and I can see the image as it will be taken.