Does any camera auto-level?

I find the level on the 6D and 5D3 to be extremely accurate tbh. Sony on the other hand is a bit sloppy. It doesnt allow for high precision, and while I'm sure it'll get you within 1% or less, it's not super accurate.

when on tripod, i'll default to bubble level anyhow, so not much of an issue, but handheld..... it could be better, however it's pretty close as is, so not a big issue.

Since you mentioned Lightroom having auto level, maybe you could just set up the auto-level to be applied on import to your images. That way you'd pretty much have what you want. An auto-corrected image, but done so in a way that preserves the entire raw data available and can be un-cropped or adjusted if needed afterward.

I know you can set up custom develop presets to be applied on import, but I don't know if this applies to the auto level feature. It would be worth a shot. I'll check it when I get home later (assuming I remember).

So I checked Lightroom CC, and it will allow you to save lens correction settings within a preset. Then you should be able to apply this preset automatically when importing. If not, worst case scenario is you'd have to select all of your images and hit one button (whichever leveling option suits you best) and make sure "auto-sync" is on. Then Lightroom would go through and apply those automatic leveling changes to every photo you've selected.

That's about as close as I can figure out a way to automatically level your photos without looking at each one individually.

Lyndön wrote in post #17806847
So I checked Lightroom CC, and it will allow you to save lens correction settings within a preset. Then you should be able to apply this preset automatically when importing. If not, worst case scenario is you'd have to select all of your images and hit one button (whichever leveling option suits you best) and make sure "auto-sync" is on. Then Lightroom would go through and apply those automatic leveling changes to every photo you've selected.

That's about as close as I can figure out a way to automatically level your photos without looking at each one individually.

But does the camera save the level data to the pic file?

Archibald wrote in post #17806989
But does the camera save the level data to the pic file?

nope, but it would be nice:

http://www.dpreview.co​m …49412#forum-post-52198525

(it does save heading though if you have gps.) but level data isn't what LR looks at. it is analyzing straight lines and other cues in your image to determine what it thinks is straight--in other words, it's doing what your own eyes do.

i don't recommend using LR's auto-level as default. it is wrong a significant amount of time and will always apply distortion in some way to your image. most of the time it at least results in cutting off edges. if you think the image is crooked, then go ahead and click it. otherwise leave it alone.

in fact, i don't recommend any "auto level" even as wished by the OP. if you don't see anything wrong, there is nothing wrong. having the camera try to rotate your image when it doesn't look wrong is unnecessary loss of resolution and fidelity.

That's exactly what the OP wants though! He seems to think all of his images, or a significant portion of them, are tilted and in need of correction. Some form of auto leveling which would have to be software based, since we've established that there's no record available to us of what the camera tilt was at the time of capture. He also states that he didn't really care about a little cropping, as long as the original raw data was intact, since that's what he's doing in post to individual images now anyway. He simply wants a way to save time when doing so.

How else could you rotate an image to level it and NOT at least crop the corners? I get that you're not a fan of auto leveling, I'm not either as a whole. But the OP had already mentioned being interested in LR if he could batch level 5DII images, which indeed does seem to be the case... most likely even being able to apply that preset on import, and not requiring any user input on the back end at all.

Maybe he should download the newest version of LR as a trial and see how it works for him. If it doesn't work, then he's only out a few minutes of download/experiment time. If it does work, then he's found a time saving level solution he's been seeking... just not in camera.

Thanks for all the replies.

It seems that what I'm looking for isn't out yet. "auto-crop-to-level based on gravity-based level".

The alternatives, like LR looking for straight lines, using a hot-shoe or even in-viewfinder levels are good first steps in the right direction.

Its one of those things that may not be as much use to some expert who's never guilty of a little tilt, no matter how fast the action is.

For me, it would be a huge savings in PP. I tried the LR auto-level and it does help on some images.

NBEast wrote in post #17809898
Its one of those things that may not be as much use to some expert who's never guilty of a little tilt, no matter how fast the action is.

I think you actually have it backwards. Experts know that tilt is not necessarily a bad thing, and know when to or not to use it.

Xyclopx wrote in post #17809998
I think you actually have it backwards. Experts know that tilt is not necessarily a bad thing, and know when to or not to use it.

Good grief man! Do you work for Canon or something? Could that explain the undying devotion to your opinion, that I must be backwards to want the camera to do something useful for me? If it's in the RAW, then you're not forced to accept! (where's that dang hammer-hitting-head smiley).

That's why, for the entire thread, I've been asking if any manufacturer has it in the RAW data so that I can choose to auto-straighten during PP.

(whew, settle down). Anyway; apparently they don't. Just thought maybe I could find this excuse to upgrade. Drrr!

It's not quite the powerhouse feature like auto-color-adjust, but its the same concept. The RAW contains the original but the *default* output adjusts according to the in-camera adjustments - with the exception of adjustments impacting physics like f-stop.

How many times have we seen an ad from a pro seeking a GA to "pre-correct all my shots - Straighten, fix exposure, ...." for maybe $150 per wedding. If the pro doesn't like a correction, well they can simply un-do it in the RAW.

NBEast wrote in post #17812109
Good grief man! Do you work for Canon or something? Could that explain the undying devotion to your opinion, that I must be backwards to want the camera to do something useful for me? If it's in the RAW, then you're not forced to accept! (where's that dang hammer-hitting-head smiley).

just responding to your statements man, that's all. for the record, i never said i don't want the level information in the exif data. in my opinion more data is always better. just explaining why auto-correct is not a good idea, even if it were available.

but yeah, i see that your original question is "does any camera auto-level?" perhaps you just wanted a yes no answer. sorry for misunderstanding your wishes and adding superfluous information.

here, if you wish to upgrade to a camera with such data embedded, i'm not 100% sure cause the dude's not clear in his post where he pulled the metadata structure from, but the iPhone might have this data saved:

http://stackoverflow.c​om …sing-image-exif-meta-data

you'll have to do your own research. and no, i don't work for Apple either. yet.

(btw, since you're convinced auto-level is such a great feature, i am at least sure that the level data is available through the iOS API, and therefore even if the OS does not automatically save it, you can write an app that takes the pics then adds the appropriate data afterwards, and also then applying the auto-level after the fact, like an instagram effect. genius ideas = millions $$$. no worries, the idea is all yours. gl.)

when you say auto level and wasted pixels, I was assuming a camera with a tilting sensor to stay leveled...... that would be pretty darn cool. Maybe hold a custom button to quickly disable feature. Could be a super feature. I hate shooting and concentrating on the level shots, even if I can see the level gauge in the evf. Unnecessary concentration.

Charlie wrote in post #17812308
when you say auto level and wasted pixels, I was assuming a camera with a tilting sensor to stay leveled...... that would be pretty darn cool. Maybe hold a custom button to quickly disable feature. Could be a super feature. I hate shooting and concentrating on the level shots, even if I can see the level gauge in the evf. Unnecessary concentration.

A sympathizer. Wahoo! Cheers!

Xyclopx wrote in post #17812130
...

(btw, since you're convinced auto-level is such a great feature, i am at least sure that the level data is available through the iOS API,..

Thanks for the input. I am convinced - I hate spending my time doing repetitive tasks that a computer would be good at if it had the raw data. For hours and hours and hours. Ugg. I'd venture to say that leveling, combined with color balance, are the 2 rotten tasks that have driven me away from event photography. My complaints fall on (mostly) deft ears. Dooh!

It's a simple thing to straighten a shot manually, but finding the true gravity just isn't the sort of thing LR data analysis is going to do well based on visual queues.

iOS ... I'm an Android fan but even then, I'd never capture sports on a smartphone. It raises some interesting lateral-thinking ideas of manually attaching a smart-level to a camera with a bluetooth connection to smart-phone for supplemental EXIF data that LR could .... (whew).

After a few years shooting sports, I now get into a rhythm where I am pretty much level with my shots. I have a handful each night that aren't, but out of 300+ pictures each game, most are level. I have grid lines turned in my viewfinders for both the 7D2 and 5D3, and that helps immensely. The easiest thing is to just practice and consciously get your shots level each time. Eventually like anything, you won't even think about it, it will become 2nd nature and you won't have to try very hard.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #17822893
After a few years shooting sports, I now get into a rhythm where I am pretty much level with my shots. I have a handful each night that aren't, but out of 300+ pictures each game, most are level. I have grid lines turned in my viewfinders for both the 7D2 and 5D3, and that helps immensely. The easiest thing is to just practice and consciously get your shots level each time. Eventually like anything, you won't even think about it, it will become 2nd nature and you won't have to try very hard.

Maybe OCD is the root of my problem. I just can't walk away from a "mostly level" shot. LOL.

Anyway; hope some DSLR design engineer is monitoring and picks up on the feature request.

Is there a "suggestion box" for Canon and others?

NBEast wrote in post #17823769
Anyway; hope some DSLR design engineer is monitoring and picks up on the feature request.

Is there a "suggestion box" for Canon and others?

If Canon was interested in the ideas and opinions of users, they could join POTN and other forums. Maybe they do look in once in a while, but I doubt it. They probably get better feedback with a higher S/N ratio from their dealers and service departments.