Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: nik on July 29, 2007, 04:18:27 am

Title: Spirit Level & Distance measurement
Post by: nik on July 29, 2007, 04:18:27 am
I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions for;

1) a small spirit level (vertical and horizontal) that I can place on my horseman 612 camera.
2) a laser type distance meter, basically something I can point at an object, press a button and it will give me an LCD distance reading in ft or metres.


Thanks,

-Nik
Title: Spirit Level & Distance measurement
Post by: Hank on July 29, 2007, 10:10:11 am
I'm not acquainted with your 612, but if it has a hot shoe or other strobe mount, there are lots of spirit levels around that qualify.  I can provide a link for that style if needed.  Without the mount, I'm not sure which style of level will work.

As for lazer rangefinders, this model (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602006-cat601604-cat601609-cat20756&rid=&indexId=cat20756&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=5&parentType=index&parentId=cat20756&id=0034280) is representative of what might suit you best, both in terms of features and lowest price.  Beware of versions that brag about great distance capabilities to 800 or 1200 yards for general use at closer ranges.  Models with lower ranges such as this 400 yard model are generally more accurate inside 100 yards. The +/- $200 price point is about as low as you can go while getting the durability and reliability to make the investment worthwhile.  There are lots of other models on the linked site and others, so you can do your own comparison of features and prices.
Title: Spirit Level & Distance measurement
Post by: nik on July 29, 2007, 10:33:45 am
Thanks Hank, my horseman 612 does have a horizontal spirit level built in at the front base of the hotshoe, but the hotshoe is occupied by the rangefinder. Send the link regardless, at a push I can always swap it out with the rangefinder or get a level that I would mount at one corner of the camera. I will be getting a ground glass back for this camera as well which will lessen my dependence on the rangefinder anyway.

-Nik


Quote
I'm not acquainted with your 612, but if it has a hot shoe or other strobe mount, there are lots of spirit levels around that qualify.  I can provide a link for that style if needed.  Without the mount, I'm not sure which style of level will work.

As for lazer rangefinders, this model (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602006-cat601604-cat601609-cat20756&rid=&indexId=cat20756&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=5&parentType=index&parentId=cat20756&id=0034280) is representative of what might suit you best, both in terms of features and lowest price.  Beware of versions that brag about great distance capabilities to 800 or 1200 yards for general use at closer ranges.  Models with lower ranges such as this 400 yard model are generally more accurate inside 100 yards. The +/- $200 price point is about as low as you can go while getting the durability and reliability to make the investment worthwhile.  There are lots of other models on the linked site and others, so you can do your own comparison of features and prices.
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Title: Spirit Level & Distance measurement
Post by: Hank on July 29, 2007, 10:58:37 am
This (http://www.naturephotographers.net/gs/hamadb-1.html) style and brand has worked best for us.  It's probably available from other sources, but the link takes you to where we bought ours.  The double-bubble style is immensely useful when alignment is critical, and the mounts for vertical or horizontal attachment to the camera are really welcome.  Best of all (and the reason we settled on this brand), is that we have not experienced the typical fading or loss of color in the fluid.  Over the years, that's been a major hassle with other brands we have tried.