Page 1 of 7 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 61

Thread: Precision bubble level

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Rome, Italy
    Posts
    53

    Precision bubble level

    Hi all,
    I am looking for a precision bubble level as I realised my bubble levels on my manfrotto 055 legs as well as Chamonix view Camera are not quite precise.
    I was thinking at this:

    https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B07...RLGRKCZN&psc=1

    or this:

    https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B00...PNWYJU7H&psc=1

    Has anyone got experiences with either of those or suggest something else?
    If it helps I require it for both 4x5 and 8x10.
    I see the precision for these is 0,029 ° = 0,5 mm/m.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Nara, Japan
    Posts
    1,296

    Re: Precision bubble level

    Most levels built into cameras are not very precise. Why that should be the case, I have no idea.
    I use something similar to the Stabila torpedo level. It is made by Ebisu here. Ebisu makes a credit card size level that is quite good, and has the same precision.

    Kumar

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    28

    Re: Precision bubble level

    That's crazy, I've ordered the one from Amazon too on Saturday.

    https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B07...RLGRKCZN&psc=1

    I had a similar one from my neighbor and it worked fine with my weekend jobs on 4x5 and also in the darkroom for leveling the enlarger.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    St. Louis, Mo.
    Posts
    3,064

    Re: Precision bubble level

    Quote Originally Posted by B.S.Kumar View Post
    Most levels built into cameras are not very precise. Why that should be the case, I have no idea.
    I use something similar to the Stabila torpedo level. It is made by Ebisu here. Ebisu makes a credit card size level that is quite good, and has the same precision.

    Kumar
    My other hobby is grilling and barbecue. If you look at gas, charcoal and wood grills and smokers, they all have cheap dial thermometers. They say companies like Weber buy their thermometers from the cheapest suppliers. They also place the inaccurate thermometers up high where they look good and not down low where the food actually cooks. I don't worry about it with my gas grill were I cook fast. On my charcoal grill I modified it with an electronic fan which blows in oxygen when needed to control heat. It has a sensor that clips right on the grill where I place my food so I know exactly what the temperature is. I can cook at 225 degrees for hours.

    I suspect camera and tripod companies have the same business practices.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    SooooCal/LA USA
    Posts
    2,802

    Re: Precision bubble level

    Typically, most of the half decent levels from the hardware store will exceed the levels typically built into your gear... Even inexpensive units... No need to go to very high precision units, as there is some very minor error that can come from holder seating, how film sits in the holder, etc... (You will find high precision analog + digital units VERY difficult to set up your camera, as they are so sensitive to very minor changes, and really major overkill that's not needed for general photography...)

    What's important is not so much with the rest of your rig, but the leveling of the camera itself...

    Steve K

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    The Highlands of Scotland
    Posts
    344

    Re: Precision bubble level

    Isn't there an app for the iPhone (called Inclinometer I think) that you can sit on the head or parallel surface to perform the same function?

    Not sure what the accuracy is like, but chances are you have one in your pocket already !

    Mike

  7. #7
    Unwitting Thread Killer Ari's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    6,286

    Re: Precision bubble level

    This shoe-mounted 2-axis level is made in Austria and is quite good: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ble_level.html

    But I prefer to use the same Ebisu card level that Kumar recommended, because I can level off the ground glass.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    1,136

    Re: Precision bubble level

    Actually if you want a shoe-mounted level, this is the one to have, it beats all others:

    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ble_Level.html

  9. #9
    Jac@stafford.net's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Winona, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,413

    Re: Precision bubble level

    Quote Originally Posted by mpirie View Post
    Isn't there an app for the iPhone (called Inclinometer I think) that you can sit on the head or parallel surface to perform the same function?
    Yes, indeed there is. It is called Clinometer. I calibrated mine (a one-click operation) on my workbench and checked it using a laser level. Clinometer is easy to read and gives three axis measures.

  10. #10
    Les
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Ex-Seattlelite living in PNW
    Posts
    1,235

    Re: Precision bubble level

    You can obtain a Smart Tool (digital) on Amazon too. What I like about it, that you don't even have to look at it....and when it beeps it's level to 1/10th degree (v. precise). Anyway, in my experience, it runs circles around any bubble-level I've had or seen. I've had this gidgit for over 10yrs.

    Les

Similar Threads

  1. Useful Bubble Level Vials
    By Graybeard in forum LF DIY (Do It Yourself)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 23-Apr-2012, 12:20
  2. Wista VX bubble level
    By pjimas in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 26-Sep-2009, 10:24
  3. for landscapes, do you use a bubble level?
    By Daniel_Buck in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 29
    Last Post: 3-Apr-2008, 13:35
  4. Replacing fluid in bubble level ?
    By Ian Gordon Bilson in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 18-Sep-2001, 18:38

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •