What is a spirit level?

[flaclick]

Hi
I'm trying to narrow down on my decision about my first tripod. As far as the ballhead, I think I've decided on the:
Bogen / Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 2 System (Quick Release) - Supports 17.6 lb (8 kg).

However, I noticed it doesn't have a spirit level. What is it and how important is it?

And is this a good buy for me? From what I've read, a lot of people seem to like it.



Thanks,

Ruth

[Ciqala]

a spirit level is a link to the paranormal realm, through the use of poltergeist activity the elements in the photo are arranged in the optimum way to ensure that you get the best composition.

[Ciqala]

:lol: actually its a tube with a liquid inside and an air bubble. when the tube is tilted the air bubble moves to one end, on the tube are lines in the middle, if you straighten the tube so that the air bubbles sit in between the lines then you know the tripod is dead level.

edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_level

[flaclick]

If it takes paranormal activity for me to get a straight composition image then I better get 2 spirit levels!!!!

Now, how useful is it? I am about to make my purchase but am now wondering if it's something that I would need....how often do you use yours?
Does it work better if there is a psychic in the room?


Ruth

[Ciqala]

my tripod is a nasty cheap video camera one that i never use so i couldnt say exactly how well they work 'out in the field' so to speak. i do know i was quite suprised the first time i noticed them and i realised how off centre i had fixed it myself (although my tripod doesnt like the weight of my 20d so is prone to movement which might also have affected it) but its a surefire way of making sure its level (perhaps useful on really uneven ground where the tripod legs are at differing lengths to each other.

in short i'd say if a tripod had it then it could be seen as a plus but its not something i'd go over-budget for if that was the only gain.

plus it's possible to buy ones that slot into the flash hotshoe on the top of the camera (not very useful if you have to use a flash but would be just as good in all other cases.

[Jon]

If you're trying to ensure an even pan, for instance in taking a series of shots for a panorama, for architecture, or precisely controlling the camera's orientation for a shot, you'd use the level to ensure the tripod is level, thus the center extension column's vertical. Then you'd level the tripod head and camera to make sure that everything's square. My Manfrotto 4445 has a bubble level; I also have a couple of hot shoe/threaded bubble levels for attaching to the camera and head. And if I'm doing group shots or panoramas I'll use them all. If I'm doing a landscape (not panoramic), I'll frame the shot and use the bubble levels to square up the camera.

[flaclick]

I did a little more research out there in B&H land, and discovered that the Bogen ballhead priced after the 488RC2 (no spirit level), is the 488RC4, with a separate horizontal and vertical level. I plan on using the camera and tripod outside,landscaping type pictures, where its very likely that the legs will be uneven. I can see where the level will come in handy. The other difference between the RC2 and RC4 is the connect 2 or 4 system. I'm not sure what that means...."Rapid Connect 4 System (Quick Release)." Can someone explain what that means?

thanks, Ruth

[Jon]

They're two different release plate shapes. That's all.

[flaclick]

B&H 'recommends' that a mounting plate be purchased. What is it and can it be used without the mounting plate?

Ruth

[Ciqala]

mounting plates are what you attach to your camera (they screw into the base) the tripod then has a section that the mounting plate slots into and it holds it in place, this allows you to remove the camera from the tripod easier than screwing and unscrewing each time you wanted to take a different kind of shot.

[flaclick]

thanks for your help Ciqala.

R

[Ciqala]

not a problem, i'm not yet versed well enough in photography technique to offer my insights in the other sections of the forums (although i do sometimes try :) ) so it's nice to be able to help out where i can :)

[Jon]

Tripod heads come in several configurations. Manfrotto (which you're looking at) uses 4: a head which has just a regular 1/4-20 tripod screw, so the camera mounts directly on it,
an RC0 release plate model,http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/325231.jpg
an RC2 model,http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/179175.jpg
and an RC4 model.http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/5564.jpg
Most 35 mm and DSLR users use the RC2 if they use Manfrotto heads because they're a more convenient size.

[SkipD]

What the photos above don't do is show relative sizes. The ...RC4 quick release plate is HUGE compared to the ...RC2 version.

The ...RC2 version (the middle photo above) is sized much better for a 35mm style SLR camera (or even point-n-shoot cameras).

The ...RC4 (the lower photo above) is really designed for much larger cameras like medium-format cameras and smaller view cameras.

[lostdoggy]

A spirit level doesn't have be in a tube. A bullseye level is circular like a bullseye target and is use where you need to be level 360 degree.

[DavidW]

Don't forget that you can get a hotshoe spirit level, which can be easier to read than a small circular bullseye level on a head.

I have one of these (http://www.adorama.com/BG337.html) in my bag, which works extremely well.



David

[Richard_Miami]

Got the exact same one - double axis hot shoe spirit level on ebay for $12 US.
Try a search for it on eBay... there are lots of vendors - here is an example from the vendor I bought from... great shipping, product exactly as shown, brand new.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hot-shoe-camera-double-spirit-level-two-axis-2-axis_W0QQitemZ330013348188QQihZ014QQcategoryZ706QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Skychurch]

Don't forget that you can get a hotshoe spirit level, which can be easier to read than a small circular bullseye level on a head.

I have one of these (http://www.adorama.com/BG337.html) in my bag, which works extremely well.



David

I was looking into the same spirit level and after looking at it I began to wonder, how does it work when you switch to portrait mode?

Thanks!
Jim

[BradT0517]

the one parallel with a lens would be centered

[Skychurch]

Ok, that's what I thought ... so you would only be able to level one axis?

[gjman]

Wow I didnt know you could get the hotshoe double axis for $12 off eBay. I spent $37 (including tax) for mine...damn this is a rip off for that sort of money.


SkyChuruch:
Yep it works in protrait mode too. You will figure it out once you get it. Its very useful and you dont have to struggle with levelling the tripod (if that has a bubble level) or the head. Just use the hot shoe bubble and level the plane of the camera.

The only drawback is that if you plan to use the flash you will have to take off the level to allow your built in pop up flash to work or to mount your hot shoe mounted flash in the latter case your alignment might move a bit...but if you have a solid tripod and head that souldnt matter that much. It WILL become a problem in the portrait mode with a heavy 550/580EX dangling from the side...but in real world apps you will figure out how to compensate for it.

[NickSimcheck]

I always thought it was the amount of booze ingested while trying to become a better photographer, go figure.