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wings · 10-04-2019, 07:09 AM

Does anyone use this function? When would you use it?

pschlute · 10-04-2019, 07:18 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by wings

When would you use it?

Taking photos after having been in the pub

photoptimist · 10-04-2019, 07:28 AM

Yes! It's very nice for hand-held landscapes/lakescapes/seascapes if you are too busy watching the changing composition of scene to pay close attention to the camera-tilt indicators. It's a very convenient feature that increases the chance of a nice level SOOC image or removes the need for one more step in post.

One caution: don't use it from a moving vehicle such as an aircraft during take-off. The acceleration of the vehicle is indistinguishable from a change in the direction of gravity or the tilting of the camera.

**microlight** · 10-04-2019, 07:34 AM - **1 Like**

I'm not very level-headed, so it's always on.

Bengan · 10-04-2019, 07:40 AM

I use it as a std setting on both my Pentax bodies. Looking at horizons shot with Nikon cameras I realize that I've become very used to the function.

I like it a lot

ChristianRock · 10-04-2019, 07:52 AM

I haven't used it, but it sounds like I should. I always thought that it would interfere a bit with the shake reduction - if the shake reduction system is doing both shake reduction and also tilting the sensor, does that affect the SR negatively in any way? What's been your experience? Or do you only turn it on for landscapes where wider lenses are used and SR isn't really needed?

**bwgv001** · 10-04-2019, 08:05 AM

never used it

**microlight** · 10-04-2019, 08:05 AM

I think that it only activates if the camera is only something like two degrees or less off level.

robiles · 10-04-2019, 08:18 AM

On my cameras i use the level indicator in the viewfinder instead of the ev display (i always use av mode). It is a nice feature to have. A lot of photos that i see (even made by pros) that are off, if even by a bit.

wings · 10-04-2019, 08:27 AM

I may have to reconsider using it. How does it determine the horizon? How does it handle a slope or grade?

photoptimist · 10-04-2019, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by wings

I may have to reconsider using it. How does it determine the horizon? How does it handle a slope or grade?

It uses the on-board 3-D accelerometer sensor (used for SR) to determine the direction of gravity. Unless that sensor has been knocked out of alignment (which can happen), the direction of greatest measured acceleration should always be straight down. If it's off to the right or left, it's because the camera is tilted (or the camera is in an accelerating vehicle).

Note: it does not correct for optical illusions in the image itself which sometimes make an image from a perfectly level camera look tilted.

stevebrot · 10-04-2019, 11:43 AM

I don't use it because a potential side-effect is an unexpected frame crop and because I often shoot intentionally off-kilter.

Steve

K1N8 · 10-04-2019, 12:41 PM

Never used it, the indicators are fine for me. However, i can imagine situations when it becomes useful, say shooting from a rocking boat for example. Any other use cases?

dchemist · 10-04-2019, 12:59 PM

I leave it on... I hate having an off kilter horizon.

**StiffLegged** · 10-04-2019, 02:24 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pschlute

Taking photos after having been in the pub

If you have to use both hands to hold tight while lying on the floor, how do you manage to take photographs as well? I'm confused...

10-04-2019, 07:09 AM	#1
wings Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 209	Horizon Correction Does anyone use this function? When would you use it?

10-04-2019, 11:43 AM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I don't use it because a potential side-effect is an unexpected frame crop and because I often shoot intentionally off-kilter. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 10-04-2019 at 11:49 AM.

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10-04-2019, 07:18 AM - 1 Like	#2
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,223	Originally posted by wings When would you use it? Taking photos after having been in the pub

10-04-2019, 07:28 AM	#3
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,129	Yes! It's very nice for hand-held landscapes/lakescapes/seascapes if you are too busy watching the changing composition of scene to pay close attention to the camera-tilt indicators. It's a very convenient feature that increases the chance of a nice level SOOC image or removes the need for one more step in post. One caution: don't use it from a moving vehicle such as an aircraft during take-off. The acceleration of the vehicle is indistinguishable from a change in the direction of gravity or the tilting of the camera.

10-04-2019, 07:34 AM - 1 Like	#4
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	I'm not very level-headed, so it's always on.

10-04-2019, 07:40 AM	#5
Bengan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,767	I use it as a std setting on both my Pentax bodies. Looking at horizons shot with Nikon cameras I realize that I've become very used to the function. I like it a lot

10-04-2019, 07:52 AM	#6
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,912	I haven't used it, but it sounds like I should. I always thought that it would interfere a bit with the shake reduction - if the shake reduction system is doing both shake reduction and also tilting the sensor, does that affect the SR negatively in any way? What's been your experience? Or do you only turn it on for landscapes where wider lenses are used and SR isn't really needed?

10-04-2019, 08:05 AM	#7
bwgv001 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 698	never used it

10-04-2019, 08:18 AM	#9
robiles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Deva Posts: 311	On my cameras i use the level indicator in the viewfinder instead of the ev display (i always use av mode). It is a nice feature to have. A lot of photos that i see (even made by pros) that are off, if even by a bit.

10-04-2019, 08:27 AM	#10
wings Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 209 Original Poster	I may have to reconsider using it. How does it determine the horizon? How does it handle a slope or grade?

10-04-2019, 09:13 AM	#11
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,129	Originally posted by wings I may have to reconsider using it. How does it determine the horizon? How does it handle a slope or grade? It uses the on-board 3-D accelerometer sensor (used for SR) to determine the direction of gravity. Unless that sensor has been knocked out of alignment (which can happen), the direction of greatest measured acceleration should always be straight down. If it's off to the right or left, it's because the camera is tilted (or the camera is in an accelerating vehicle). Note: it does not correct for optical illusions in the image itself which sometimes make an image from a perfectly level camera look tilted.

10-04-2019, 12:41 PM	#13
K1N8 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 242	Never used it, the indicators are fine for me. However, i can imagine situations when it becomes useful, say shooting from a rocking boat for example. Any other use cases?

10-04-2019, 12:59 PM	#14
dchemist Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver, WA, 98682 Posts: 93	I leave it on... I hate having an off kilter horizon.

10-04-2019, 02:24 PM - 1 Like	#15
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,640	Originally posted by pschlute Taking photos after having been in the pub If you have to use both hands to hold tight while lying on the floor, how do you manage to take photographs as well? I'm confused...

Horizon Correction

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