High Spirits ..

[Digital Prophet]

So I have a slightly crappy tripod. Actually it really isn't a bad tripod. It just does bad things. Like it has this one leg that just isn't level when you pull it all the way out.

So I decided to get a level. A spirit level in fact. A hot shoe spirit level to be precise.

That is, until I saw the prices. These freaking things are expensive! It's like 40-50 dollars. That is ridiculous for a little bit of plastic with like half an ounce of green fluid in it.

$50! I can get a 50mm prime for not too much more than that. I can get two tanks of gas. I can get like 50 bottles of Ozarka and a pack of food coloring and make gallons of green fluid with bubbles. I can get two lap dances, a beer and an order of McValue fries on my way home from work.

I was just stupified into a state of stupidity.

- Digital Prophet -

[Scottes]

There are cheaper ones. But I don't think that they do much good. In a digital pic the human eye can detect 0.2 degrees of tilt with ease. I've *never* been able to detect that slight of an angle in a level, let alone a tiny hot-shoe level.

I think they should build it into the camera.... :wink:

[dsze]

lol... Can't you just go buy a new tripod with levels for about $50?

-daniel

[cmM]

lol... Can't you just go buy a new tripod with levels for about $50?

-daniel
You can, but in that case the green fluid will evaporate in about a week :wink: ( I speak from experience). I moved to Manfrotto, and I ain't going back. (the green fluid did not evaporate yet)

[robertwgross]

Can't you just go buy a new tripod with levels for about $50?


I have one tripod with a single level on it, and then there is another single level on each QR mount for the cameras and lenses. Amazingly, $40.

The only weakness is that the tripod will only elevate up to about 5'6". That is OK by me, but it wouldn't necessarily work for tall folks.

---Bob Gross---

[aam1234]

Hardware stores sell these for peanuts. Granted they don't mount on the camera and they are a big, but they do the job. Check them out.

[robertwgross]

There is a small level (2-3 inches long) that is sold at a hardware store for attaching onto a chalk line. However, they can't be used easily on a camera body.

That would be a good feature for somebody to build into a battery grip.

---Bob Gross---

[Jesper]

I've wondered about the same thing. With some little accessories, like these spirit levels, somebody is making a LOT of money. How can a little, simple piece of plastic that costs a few $ in a hardware store suddenly cost ten times as much in a photo store ?!?

I wonder how anyone can sell a simple spirit level for $ 50 while keeping a straight face..... :shock:

[aam1234]

He can level the tripod first then attach the camera. Never tried it but worth giving it a shot.

[Cadwell]

I've wondered about the same thing. With some little accessories, like these spirit levels, somebody is making a LOT of money. How can a little, simple piece of plastic that costs a few $ in a hardware store suddenly cost ten times as much in a photo store ?!?

I wonder how anyone can sell a simple spirit level for $ 50 while keeping a straight face..... :shock:

It's the bubbles. There's a world wide shortage of them at the moment due to a factory in Japan burning down. Hence the high price... supply and demand!

[msvadi]

on photo.net, somebody suggested to get a 2-way bubble level from home depot (around $5), and super glue it to a "hot shoe accessory holder". he said that one could buy such holder from any camera store very cheap. or you can use a PC sync hot shoe adapter:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15215&item=3828921 907&rd=1

total cost - around $20. I'm not sure if the do-it-yourself approach is worth it. you can get Hama double bubble level for $30 plus shipping:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/gs/hamadb-1.html
B&H sells Kaiser double spirit level for less than $30, but it's out of stock.

[Big_B]

He can level the tripod first then attach the camera. Never tried it but worth giving it a shot.

My tripod has a spirit level on it and that works fine for me - I'm sure you would be able to attach one if yours doesn't have it.

[dsze]

I just got a Dynatran AT-3770 tripod....anybody have any experience with them? I didn't know anything about them, but they were sure set on making me a happy customer and the price sure seemed good. Anyway, its got 2 levels, one on the tripod and one on the head...they seem to be pretty accurate so far..


http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=shop/category&category_id=caf9a598a7188e9e318b66d5d8831 a53

-daniel

[vfilby]

Hmmm... I bought a cheap tripod at a pawn shop for $30CDN (that is like 25 cents us right? ;-) ) and it has a level that apperas to work on it. It is a velbon cx 540, I have seen them new in stores for $90CDN. It is cheap but it does the job.

One of these days I will get a niceer tripod but only if a) this one falls apart or b) I have far too much disposable income.

Vince

[Digital Prophet]

Well my tripod has a lelver. But it is a eliptical level that reads only one direction. Like a standard yard stick hardware level. But when I try to level the tripod to get multiple shots shots in a range that is greater than 45 degrees the un level-tivity shows.

If it had one of those circular button levels that would be fine. One of those levels X and Y. But the old eliptical (like mine) only do one or the other so you need two. Especially if I am ever going to get a decent 360 shot.

I don't know, maybe I will jet go get a ghetto level at Home Depot and widdel a hot shoe mount out of something around the house. I can see it all now. My camera will be completely overshadowed by my 20 pound, do-it-yourself hot glue and duct tape spirit level.

- Digital Prophet -

[Jesper]

I've wondered about the same thing. With some little accessories, like these spirit levels, somebody is making a LOT of money. How can a little, simple piece of plastic that costs a few $ in a hardware store suddenly cost ten times as much in a photo store ?!?

I wonder how anyone can sell a simple spirit level for $ 50 while keeping a straight face..... :shock:

It's the bubbles. There's a world wide shortage of them at the moment due to a factory in Japan burning down. Hence the high price... supply and demand!

Aha.... and you should get a bubble with Japanese air, those are far more precise than bubbles with just any kind of air!! :roll: 8)

[Digital Prophet]

Aha! I have finally solved my problem with overly expensive hotshoe bubble levels.

As you may recall, I refuse to pay $40 for 1/8 oz of water and a bubble. So I made one.

Acutally I got the levels and them just assembled it into a hotshoe level. Total cost: @$5. That is way better. Not as nice to look at but works fine and dandy.

- Digital Prophet -