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When shooting landscapes often levelling the horizon is something I struggle often.

What is your approach to this issue? bubble level vs post processing.

I haven't tried the former but the latter can be a little hit and miss!

Suren,

I just use the grid lines in the viewfinder.

I use the bubble level on the D2X but on the D3s the virtual horizon is spot on

I have the virtual horizon set up for easy access in "my menu" in the Nikon D3.

Suren
Hang the camera from a string so that it hangs freely under the tripod. It should self level and you can fire the camera with a remote control. If this is too inconvenient then tilting the monitor is another method or achieving level horizons. I use neither of the above methods.

Just exclude the horizon from the image and you won't need to worry about it

gstark wrote:Suren,

I just use the grid lines in the viewfinder.

I agree, the gridlines are great for this, however when using uwa lens its still easy to get it wrong especially when the horizon includes hills or rocks.

I actually used the spirit level my tripod the other day to level up a pano.

surenj wrote:When shooting landscapes often levelling the horizon is something I struggle often.

What is your approach to this issue? bubble level vs post processing.

I haven't tried the former but the latter can be a little hit and miss!

Not really hit and miss using photoshop, quite easy to get it right but it does crop the image, much better to get it right in the first place. I use the grid lines on the viewfinder.

An article from August last year: Straightening Photos.

So as you'll see I try to get it level in-camera but always have the option of tweaking it in post. Since I wrote that I also have a camera with an internal level (EOS 7D) but when shooting handheld I usually just rely on the viewfinder grid. I always have grids enabled in Live View.

My normal routine when setting up my tripod is to level the base of the ballhead (not by tweaking the tripod legs: I have a leveller in there that makes it quick'n'easy). As for the camera itself if I'm working quickly I'll do it visually using the viewfinder, but if I'm doing panos or using a Sidekick for telephoto work I'll always use a level.

surenj wrote:bubble level vs post processing.

I haven't tried the former but the latter can be a little hit and miss!

There are ways to screw up the post-processing (e.g. by levelling something that wasn't actually horizontal, such as a beach or the opposite shore of a river). See the above article.

Most people blame their gear surenj but if the truth be known the problem actually is in our own eyes. A slight tap to either temple will knock the eye into perspective

I am startled by the number of people who have mentioned "virtual horizon" seemingly unawares that not all of us have this feature on our cameras.

I personally use my viewfinder grid, then correct in post process. I gave up trying to use my Tripod's bubble spirit a long time ago, even though i have one conveniently located on my tripod head

aim54x wrote:I am startled by the number of people who have mentioned "virtual horizon" seemingly unawares that not all of us have this feature on our cameras.

Where? The two places (prior to your comment) where "virtual horizon" has been mentioned have been in the context of two specific camera models (7D & D3s).

Are you sure you're not just being sensitive because you're feeling left out?
A hotshoe bubble-level is just as good. The only advantage of the internal "virtual horizon" levels is that you can travel with one less gadget!

DaveB wrote:Are you sure you're not just being sensitive because you're feeling left out?

I am, i had absolutely no idea wtf this was about sounds like the AH (Artificial Horizon) in an aircraft

biggerry wrote:

DaveB wrote:Are you sure you're not just being sensitive because you're feeling left out?

I am, i had absolutely no idea wtf this was about sounds like the AH (Artificial Horizon) in an aircraft

And that's pretty much what it is, except on your camera's LCD.

But I wouldn't worry too much; it's only a concern when they put a Plimsoll Line on your camera.

DaveB wrote:

aim54x wrote:I am startled by the number of people who have mentioned "virtual horizon" seemingly unawares that not all of us have this feature on our cameras.

Where? The two places (prior to your comment) where "virtual horizon" has been mentioned have been in the context of two specific camera models (7D & D3s).

Are you sure you're not just being sensitive because you're feeling left out?
A hotshoe bubble-level is just as good. The only advantage of the internal "virtual horizon" levels is that you can travel with one less gadget!

I'm not feeling left out, but as you have already noted, and we all know, this feature is not really available in ALL cameras YET, and there are a large number (a large majority) of users here that simply dont have this feature in their cameras. I'd love to have a virtual horizon in my camera, but I dont, and it is a fair suggestion, but is it a relevant to keep mentioning this technology if the OP does not have the feature available to them, as does the majority of users here? It almost seems like a "mine is bigger (better) then yours" comment. I am sure most people that have this feature available to them would use it as it is so convenient and requires no extra gadgets!

biggerry wrote:I am, i had absolutely no idea wtf this was about sounds like the AH (Artificial Horizon) in an aircraft

 LOL Gerry! your on the right track!

Bubble level is the best way if it's not built into camera. I find I use it even when it is built in!

I bought a cheap little spirit level that fits on my hotshoe that does the trick
DebT

Thanks boys and DebT for your comments.

DaveB thanks for that article. it was interesting.

Sometimes I can't see my gridlines in the dark [They are really only the focus dots not really lines]

I might get a bubble thing and glue it to my tripod. Image if it could be illuminated by touching it something? Would be very useful pre-dawn....

I am sure most future enthusiast cameras will have this feature built in. A illuminated configurable gridline in the viewfinder would also be great though.

biggerry wrote:I am, i had absolutely no idea wtf this was about sounds like the AH (Artificial Horizon) in an aircraft

Next time we do a seascape, can you bring your plane Gerry? I will use my tripod on the plane and we will make sure the plane is level....

DebT wrote:I bought a cheap little spirit level that fits on my hotshoe that does the trick
DebT

That is a good idea...too bad I have so many other things to tack onto my hotshoe.....Phottix Geo One and remote shutter release....

surenj wrote:

biggerry wrote:I am, i had absolutely no idea wtf this was about sounds like the AH (Artificial Horizon) in an aircraft

Next time we do a seascape, can you bring your plane Gerry? I will use my tripod on the plane and we will make sure the plane is level....

Now that is a good idea!!

aim54x wrote:too bad I have so many other things to tack onto my hotshoe.....Phottix Geo One and remote shutter release....

Thus for example my flash cord has had an extra "cold shoe" epoxied to the top for the last 4 years:

(please excuse the crappy iPhone snap)

With the camera/lens in a gimbal mount and the flash up above on a bracket, this lets me make sure that the camera is level before I pan (having already checked that the panning mount is level using the bubble level built into the levelling base between the head and the tripod).

If you were a deity like me, you could simply and literally straighten the horizon whilst keeping the camera still. Several continents get a little p!ssed off when I do that, however.

Reschsmooth wrote:If you were a deity like me, you could simply and literally straighten the horizon whilst keeping the camera still. Several continents get a little p!ssed off when I do that, however.

Patrick, do you want to join us for the latest seascape shoot soon. I would really like your services to straighten things up.

Next time we do a seascape, can you bring your plane Gerry? I will use my tripod on the plane and we will make sure the plane is level....

you would have to be do a few knots (typically 40 odd) to keep the gyros spinning so you migth have a few issues with long exposures

I was thinking more along the lines of my patented 3-axis gyro stabilised, subject tracking, thingy-m-bob which would negate teh need for a tripod, spirit level, virtual horizon and artificial horizon. I would also mount a trakkabeam (google it) on teh side for focusing.

biggerry wrote:3-axis gyro stabilised, subject tracking, thingy-m-bob which would negate teh need for a tripod

What like a UFO or something that hovers? Sorry, I was watching that UFO story on TV tonight
I will make sure I will ask the silver surfer for his surf board.

biggerry wrote:trakkabeam (google it) on teh side for focusing.

Dude Canon won't even put a measly little focus lamp on their cameras. This will have to be a hack. There goes your hot shoe. You will have to choose either this or the bubble level.

Hey Gerry, Why don't you mount ya trakkabeam to the plane and fly around light painting the entire scene... I will need to find a way to get my lens down to f512 or something.

surenj wrote:I will need to find a way to get my lens down to f512 or something.

Easy: grab a 200mm lens, tape some black tape over the lens and drill a pin-hole of 0.0156" diameter and you will have an aperture of f/560.

surenj wrote::ot:

Hey Gerry, Why don't you mount ya trakkabeam to the plane and fly around light painting the entire scene... I will need to find a way to get my lens down to f512 or something.