does anyone use a hot shoe cover for their DSLR ?

lannes wrote in post #10615729
This is what I use

It actually help cushion some top impacts as well.

This is a very cool gadget. But when you have the camera at almost eye level on a tripod, you can't look at the bubble unless you have a ladder! That's why I use this. Same vendor. I just used it to great effect this past vacation, where it let me get repeated shots at sunset with very quick leveling between each.

tvphotog wrote in post #10674563
This is a very cool gadget. But when you have the camera at almost eye level on a tripod, you can't look at the bubble unless you have a ladder! That's why I use this. Same vendor. I just used it to great effect this past vacation, where it let me get repeated shots at sunset with very quick leveling between each.

The hot shoe is not the best place to a level reading from anyway as it is usually not accurate. I actually use this more for it's protective qualities, like a normal hotshoe protector, where the rubberised holder protects the camera from impacts. For more accurate leveling I use the bubble levels built into the tripod or ball head.

I bought a pair...

I bought a pair for my two bodies on a lark from eBay because they were so damned cheap. I immediately lost them both and have never repeated the error of buying another pair.

lannes wrote in post #10675556
The hot shoe is not the best place to a level reading from anyway as it is usually not accurate. I actually use this more for it's protective qualities, like a normal hotshoe protector, where the rubberised holder protects the camera from impacts. For more accurate leveling I use the bubble levels built into the tripod or ball head.

I've check the hotshoe level by leveling the ballhead first with its built-in spirit level, then attaching the camera and then the resin hotshoe level I mentioned above. Both levels have matched perfectly each time.

And I do use a custom hotshoe cover for my 5D2, just cause I think it smooths the shape of the top of the body, and that it looks cool. It also prevents crimping of the hotshoe edges if something strikes the top of the camera.

I only use such thing on my New F-1 film camera, never concern to put it onto my 50D.

had one for a day. then lost it.