Spirit Level

[NitroTech]

Hi all,

where can I purchase a spirit level for my tripod from? And also the cost. All inputs appreciated.

Cheers!!

[willyfoo]

Bought mine at Suntec City... can't remember the shops name but near tower 3&4... sells quite a bit of the newer electronic stuff..

I've also seen it selling at MS Color at AMK Central..

Can't recall how much I bought... $20++?

[Dagger]

Quote: Originally posted by NitroTech Hi all, where can I purchase a spirit level for my tripod from? And also the cost. All inputs appreciated. Cheers!!

Ruby Photo

[denizenx]

are those expensive? I know normal hardware shops also have them..

[shawntim]

i'm also interested in the spirit level. Thanks willyfoo for the prompt reply to my pm. =)

[shawntim]

where's ruby photo?

[NitroTech]

thanks for all the replies!! It will have to be Ruby Photo then. Most conveniently located.

[NitroTech]

Quote: Originally posted by shawntim where's ruby photo?

Peninsula Shopping Centre. 1st floor. Same row as The Camera Workshop.

[jeff chen]

How much is the Cullman versus the Kaiser spirit level at Ruby pse...thks.

[Kho King]

is spirit level useful on tripod? Any owner with practical experience of using spirit level on tripod?

[jeff chen]

Spirit level is certainly useful, esp when u shoot buildings/panaroma.

My tripod does not come with spirit level, so I got one Cullman. As this one is detachable, first place the spirit level on yr tripod (e.g. panhead) to make sure everything is level then before mounting yr camera, then attach the spirit level once more on the hotshoe of the camera, to ensure the camera is flush. This way, yr pix will not turn out slant one side...

[Kit]

Quote: Originally posted by jeff chen Spirit level is certainly useful, esp when u shoot buildings/panaroma. My tripod does not come with spirit level, so I got one Cullman. As this one is detachable, first place the spirit level on yr tripod (e.g. panhead) to make sure everything is level then before mounting yr camera, then attach the spirit level once more on the hotshoe of the camera, to ensure the camera is flush. This way, yr pix will not turn out slant one side...

I probably shoot buildings 99% of the time and don't see the need of a spirit level. You'd better off training your eyes to check for converging lines through the viewfinder. A grid focussing screen is certainly worth the money, if you can fit one on your camera.

[ckiang]

Quote: Originally posted by Kho King is spirit level useful on tripod? Any owner with practical experience of using spirit level on tripod?

Unless you are shooting panoramics, it's probably not that essential that the tripod is perfectly level. Just make sure the camera is perfectly level.

Regards
CK

[jeff chen]

Don't get me wrong, when I mean useful, it is meant to be a useful aid. Some cameras have those grid thingy, so that's an alternative.

I know that professional photograghers who take architectural shots use those things (along with a whole load of other stuff?) so that their shots are near perfect.

Of course, a lay person need not be so specific to that level...but I wld certainly like to see Kit's building shots posted...

[Kit]

Here you go

http://www1.photosig.com/viewphoto.php?id=301234
http://www1.photosig.com/viewphoto.php?id=202195
http://www1.photosig.com/viewphoto.php?id=121102
http://www1.photosig.com/viewphoto.php?id=65825
http://www1.photosig.com/viewphoto.php?id=37726

[long]

U can't find a tripod spirit level. I've asked Ruby, Foto Guide, Cathay etc.

They dun have it.

But Ruby & Foto Guide carry Camera Flash Hotshoe spirit levels.

U really do not need to level the tripod. Levelling the camera should do it.

[Kit]

.

[jeff chen]

Kit, these are nice shots but no offence... did u do any adjustments in PS?

One test that I learn was to try taking aim of yr house window grill, mount the tripod quite far away so that u need to zoom the camera a bit, and then see if u can get it right (both vertical and horizontal) without any aid (including the camera inbuilt grid and no spirit level). Quite a good challenge...

spirit level is a good to have tool but not essential...

[Kit]

Quote: Originally posted by jeff chen Kit, these are nice shots but no offence... did u do any adjustments in PS? One test that I learn was to try taking aim of yr house window grill, mount the tripod quite far away so that u need to zoom the camera a bit, and then see if u can get it right (both vertical and horizontal) without any aid (including the camera inbuilt grid and no spirit level). Quite a good challenge... spirit level is a good to have tool but not essential...

None taken. Why would I?

Most of the images are scanned from slides with a slide scanner, which gave a darker output. I adjusted the curve on PS so it gets close to the actual thing. Of course, some sharpening is done too. That's about it.

For the sepia image, I toned it in PS. Originally shot in B&W film.

Before I got the grid focussing screen, I always compose the shot with the vertical as perpendicular as possible to the base of the frame. Then I pan the first vertical line nearest to the side of the frame against it and adjust accordingly. Repeat the process for the other end. If its not straight up to the side of the frame, then I have to adjust the tilt of the camera. All these done with a tripod(of course) and having a gear head helps tremendously too. Its quite a time consuming process and most of the time, you have to rely on own judgement.

That is why I said a spirit level is of little help. Most of the time when I finish composing the shot, I found that the bubble is off center so there you go.

[Kit]

To give an idea of how long the process is, it took me 15 - 20mins to set up this shot http://www1.photosig.com/viewphoto.php?id=65825

Of course, I've still got much to learn too.