Bubble levels at DVinfo.net

Buck Forester · September 24th, 2008, 08:45 PM

Maybe I should be asking these types of questions in another forum title, but I pretty much hang out here in the EX1 forum. I hope that's okay. If not someone can move the thread and tell me where to go, ha!

What bubble levels do you recommend? I have the Miller DS20 tripod system, and the Microdolly jib. In my still photography I have a bubble on my Bogen tripod. I know there are hotshoe mounted bubble solutions too. What works best for you? There's not much worse than thinking you're shooting a straight horizon and get home and see you're slightly off. I need to use instruments to keep me straight, I think my eyes are crooked sometimes. Thank you. At least I'm down to the fine-tuning smaller items such as release plates and bubbles. Choosing my camera, editing system, monitoring, audio, etc., where the tough ones. I'm just about ready to be cut loose and see what I can do.

Buck Forester · September 24th, 2008, 09:16 PM

Ooops, I guess my Miller head does have a small bubble on it.

Andrew Hollister · September 24th, 2008, 10:29 PM

so does mine :)

Matthew Pugerude · September 24th, 2008, 10:31 PM

Wøw I never noticed that mine does too!!! Just kidding all in good fun Buck. :)

Buck Forester · September 24th, 2008, 11:02 PM

Ha! I'm beginning to feel like my brain is a bubble and it's definitely off level.

Okay, Miller tripods are made in Australia/S. Hemisphere... does that mean the bubble leans in reverse direction to the tilt here in N. America? :Þ

Serena Steuart · September 25th, 2008, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck Forester

Ha! I'm beginning to feel like my brain is a bubble and it's definitely off level.

Okay, Miller tripods are made in Australia/S. Hemisphere... does that mean the bubble leans in reverse direction to the tilt here in N. America? :Þ

No, but you do have to mount the camera upside down.

John Woo · September 25th, 2008, 01:29 AM

What about during hand held. Sometime it is hard to judge from the LCD whether we are levelled. Is there a sticker type bubble which I can paste on the EX1 handle so that with 1 look I can immediately tell whether my shot are levelled properly.

Charles Papert · September 25th, 2008, 02:05 AM

A simple line level that you get at the hardware store will do the trick. They generally come in a plastic housing to hang on a line, but you can easily snap the capsule out and then use adhesive velcro to stick to your camera or better yet, glue directly to the camera (better for knowing that you can trust the level, not so great for resale perhaps).

Hubert Duijzer · September 25th, 2008, 02:39 PM

Or get a shoe mounted one for cheap, just like i did.

Manfrotto/Bogen 2 Axis HotShoe Bubble Level BulkPackage - eBay, Other, Digital Camera Accessories, Camera Accessories, Cameras Photo. (Eindtijd 27-sep-08 05:05:42 CEST)

Gints Klimanis · October 8th, 2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Papert

A simple line level that you get at the hardware store will do the trick.

This is a good idea. I'd like to put one on the LCD. I have a number of hot shoe bubbles, but they're no good if you need the hot shoe. Even so, I think they're best suited for tripod use.

Charles Papert · October 8th, 2008, 06:53 PM

Remember that spirit levels are prone to acceleration, as every Steadicam operator knows all too well. A fast sideways move may suggest that the camera is off-level by the position of the bubble, but it's only when you come to a stop (or maintain consistent speed) that the bubble overcomes the effects of acceleration and show an accurate level.

September 24th, 2008, 08:45 PM	#1
Buck Forester Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Posts: 230	Bubble levels Maybe I should be asking these types of questions in another forum title, but I pretty much hang out here in the EX1 forum. I hope that's okay. If not someone can move the thread and tell me where to go, ha! What bubble levels do you recommend? I have the Miller DS20 tripod system, and the Microdolly jib. In my still photography I have a bubble on my Bogen tripod. I know there are hotshoe mounted bubble solutions too. What works best for you? There's not much worse than thinking you're shooting a straight horizon and get home and see you're slightly off. I need to use instruments to keep me straight, I think my eyes are crooked sometimes. Thank you. At least I'm down to the fine-tuning smaller items such as release plates and bubbles. Choosing my camera, editing system, monitoring, audio, etc., where the tough ones. I'm just about ready to be cut loose and see what I can do.

September 24th, 2008, 10:29 PM	#3
Andrew Hollister Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 198	so does mine :) __________________ Sony EX1 v1.11, crap loads of SxS, Macs w/ Final Cut Studio

September 25th, 2008, 02:05 AM	#8
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	A simple line level that you get at the hardware store will do the trick. They generally come in a plastic housing to hang on a line, but you can easily snap the capsule out and then use adhesive velcro to stick to your camera or better yet, glue directly to the camera (better for knowing that you can trust the level, not so great for resale perhaps). __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

October 8th, 2008, 06:53 PM	#11
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Remember that spirit levels are prone to acceleration, as every Steadicam operator knows all too well. A fast sideways move may suggest that the camera is off-level by the position of the bubble, but it's only when you come to a stop (or maintain consistent speed) that the bubble overcomes the effects of acceleration and show an accurate level. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

September 24th, 2008, 09:16 PM	#2
Buck Forester Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Posts: 230	Ooops, I guess my Miller head does have a small bubble on it.

September 24th, 2008, 10:31 PM	#4
Matthew Pugerude Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Redmond, Oregon Posts: 173	Wøw I never noticed that mine does too!!! Just kidding all in good fun Buck. :)

September 24th, 2008, 11:02 PM	#5
Buck Forester Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Posts: 230	Ha! I'm beginning to feel like my brain is a bubble and it's definitely off level. Okay, Miller tripods are made in Australia/S. Hemisphere... does that mean the bubble leans in reverse direction to the tilt here in N. America? :Þ

September 25th, 2008, 01:29 AM	#7
John Woo Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 160	What about during hand held. Sometime it is hard to judge from the LCD whether we are levelled. Is there a sticker type bubble which I can paste on the EX1 handle so that with 1 look I can immediately tell whether my shot are levelled properly.

September 25th, 2008, 02:39 PM	#9
Hubert Duijzer Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Netherlands Posts: 177	Or get a shoe mounted one for cheap, just like i did. Manfrotto/Bogen 2 Axis HotShoe Bubble Level BulkPackage - eBay, Other, Digital Camera Accessories, Camera Accessories, Cameras Photo. (Eindtijd 27-sep-08 05:05:42 CEST)