does anyone use the electronic level ?

glinda · 11-23-2012, 06:54 PM

is the electronic level function mostly for tripod ? it seems pretty distracting using it handheld, though it may help ? does anyone use this feature ? don't know if i like it or not yet.

Venturi · 11-23-2012, 07:48 PM

I've only had my K-5 for 3 days, so I haven't had opportunity to use it beyond joking to friends and family that digital photography really is like flying an airplane now. I have left it on though because I do have a tendency to lean the camera so the additional visual cue it nice to have in the viewfinder.

I most definitely am looking forward to using it for setting up landscape/architecture shots, especially panoramas.

SpecialK · 11-23-2012, 08:17 PM

I do not use it.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5/149797-how-adjust-calibrate-auto-level.html

glinda · 11-23-2012, 08:50 PM

it's kind of distracting as i said, maybe would get used to it, but probably will turn it back off. thank you guys.

manacho2005 · 11-23-2012, 09:13 PM

You can make the "fx" button toggle the level if you find it distracting at times....

Venturi · 11-23-2012, 09:18 PM

FWIW I just checked my K-5 with an I-beam level and the e-level is accurate.

**ramseybuckeye** · 11-23-2012, 10:14 PM

I use it quite a bit on the K-30. Always on the tripod, more and more handheld, especially when shooting something static.

Louicio · 11-23-2012, 10:22 PM

Just get a tripod with a spirit level

Ponosby Britt · 11-23-2012, 10:31 PM

Yes, I use it..

**Bruce Clark** · 11-24-2012, 12:19 AM

I use it occasionally but also have a mini spirit level that fits in the hot shoe. This is much easier than trying level up through the viewfinder especially when on tripod.

loco · 11-24-2012, 03:35 AM

It rocks when composing handheld shots. I love it!

altopiet · 11-24-2012, 04:19 AM

I tried it, but found it distracting... trying to keep it level and composing the same time, especially hand held, usually the composition and other more important matters suffer as a result, perhaps with more practice that might change. Over time I came to the conclusion that I've got a relatively "level" eye

I can see that it might have certain uses, like low light landscape shots etc.

calsan · 11-24-2012, 06:01 AM

Yes - on the tripod - but only when using wide angle lenses. It's especially useful if shooting at night time.
But I don't look at the one in the viewfinder, I use the one on the rear lcd. I also use a grid matte viewfinder, this helps also.

I don't actually leave it turned on, I just activate it if I'm going to do a bunch of shots where keeping level is difficult or critical.

I have used the auto horizon correction successfully on a boat - it made all my shots pretty much spot on. Otherwise, I leave it turned off, because I find it makes the images appear softer, although YMMV.

rockmaster1964 · 11-24-2012, 09:36 AM

I use the level in the viewfinder for every shot. I use the external one for a quick check on the tripod.

Skog · 11-24-2012, 09:56 AM

Originally posted by rockmaster1964

I use the level in the viewfinder for every shot. I use the external one for a quick check on the tripod.

Second this, the level is the viewfinder is awesome! I would get pretty much every photo with a horizon wrong without it. And I use the big one on the screen is nice for tripod work.

11-23-2012, 06:54 PM	#1
glinda Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,418	does anyone use the electronic level ? is the electronic level function mostly for tripod ? it seems pretty distracting using it handheld, though it may help ? does anyone use this feature ? don't know if i like it or not yet.

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11-23-2012, 07:48 PM	#2
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	I've only had my K-5 for 3 days, so I haven't had opportunity to use it beyond joking to friends and family that digital photography really is like flying an airplane now. I have left it on though because I do have a tendency to lean the camera so the additional visual cue it nice to have in the viewfinder. I most definitely am looking forward to using it for setting up landscape/architecture shots, especially panoramas.

11-23-2012, 08:17 PM	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	I do not use it. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5/149797-how-adjust-calibrate-auto-level.html

11-23-2012, 08:50 PM	#4
glinda Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,418 Original Poster	it's kind of distracting as i said, maybe would get used to it, but probably will turn it back off. thank you guys.

11-23-2012, 09:13 PM	#5
manacho2005 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Red Oak, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 462	You can make the "fx" button toggle the level if you find it distracting at times....

11-23-2012, 09:18 PM	#6
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	FWIW I just checked my K-5 with an I-beam level and the e-level is accurate.

11-23-2012, 10:14 PM	#7
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,294	I use it quite a bit on the K-30. Always on the tripod, more and more handheld, especially when shooting something static.

11-23-2012, 10:22 PM	#8
Louicio Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Melbourne Posts: 432	Just get a tripod with a spirit level

11-23-2012, 10:31 PM	#9
Ponosby Britt Closed Account Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 227	Yes, I use it..

11-24-2012, 12:19 AM	#10
Bruce Clark Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ocean Grove, Victoria Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,458	I use it occasionally but also have a mini spirit level that fits in the hot shoe. This is much easier than trying level up through the viewfinder especially when on tripod.

11-24-2012, 03:35 AM	#11
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	It rocks when composing handheld shots. I love it!

11-24-2012, 04:19 AM	#12
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	I tried it, but found it distracting... trying to keep it level and composing the same time, especially hand held, usually the composition and other more important matters suffer as a result, perhaps with more practice that might change. Over time I came to the conclusion that I've got a relatively "level" eye I can see that it might have certain uses, like low light landscape shots etc.

11-24-2012, 06:01 AM	#13
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,549	Yes - on the tripod - but only when using wide angle lenses. It's especially useful if shooting at night time. But I don't look at the one in the viewfinder, I use the one on the rear lcd. I also use a grid matte viewfinder, this helps also. I don't actually leave it turned on, I just activate it if I'm going to do a bunch of shots where keeping level is difficult or critical. I have used the auto horizon correction successfully on a boat - it made all my shots pretty much spot on. Otherwise, I leave it turned off, because I find it makes the images appear softer, although YMMV.

11-24-2012, 09:36 AM	#14
rockmaster1964 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Frisco Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 382	I use the level in the viewfinder for every shot. I use the external one for a quick check on the tripod.

11-24-2012, 09:56 AM	#15
Skog Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 167	Originally posted by rockmaster1964 I use the level in the viewfinder for every shot. I use the external one for a quick check on the tripod. Second this, the level is the viewfinder is awesome! I would get pretty much every photo with a horizon wrong without it. And I use the big one on the screen is nice for tripod work.