Hot Shoe Bubble level & Cover: I received a popup ad for a camera hot shoe bubble level and cover. Prices ranged from $6 to $19+. I spoke with a couple of friends; one said it fell off...

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

I received a popup ad for a camera hot shoe bubble level and cover. Prices ranged from $6 to $19+. I spoke with a couple of friends; one said it fell off Hot Shoe the other said, good value and liked the cover as it protected the contacts.

Is there a big difference in brands? Is it worth it?
***Amazon $10.99 for both
***B&H $19 for the cube

Would like to get your feedback,
Thanks,
Jim

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

If you feel there's a danger that the cube will slip out and fall off, you can stick a piece of paper, cardboard or thin plastic underneath such that it fits more snug. The bubble level doesn't require the contacts to work, so it's okay if they are covered.

Concerning hot shoe covers, you can make your own at virtually no cost. For one of my cameras, I carved one out of hard wood. Or you can cut one out of plastic - the hot shoe covers sold aren't any different, just a piece of plastic that slides into the hot shoe. It's just a matter of trimming the material to the proper size, which certainly will take less time than waiting for one to ship to you! I'm sure you have all sorts of pieces of plastic at your disposal... the plastic lid from the juice container you just finished, for example. No one will know the difference, and it does the job.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

junglejim1949 wrote:

I received a popup ad for a camera hot shoe bubble level and cover. Prices ranged from $6 to $19+. I spoke with a couple of friends; one said it fell off Hot Shoe the other said, good value and liked the cover as it protected the contacts.

Is there a big difference in brands? Is it worth it?
***Amazon $10.99 for both
***B&H $19 for the cube

Would like to get your feedback,
Thanks,
Jim

Junk. Very inaccurate. If your camera has an azimuth or level indicator function, use that instead - it's more accurate and it won't fall off.

BebuLamar

I think many cameras has the built in electronic level. I don't think the cover is necessary and the cover does come with the camera.

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

I just bought these, 5 pieces for $4.90, delivered...all cameras do not come with them, e.g; my new D500..don't really need the level but this is just how they come...

(Download)

User ID

SX2002 wrote:

I just bought these, 5 pieces for $4.90,
delivered...all cameras do not come with
them, e.g; my new D500..don't really
need the level but this is just how they
come...

I like THAT ... sooooo kewl
that it doesn't matter if it's
accurate. Great snag !

bioteacher Loc: Brooklyn, NY

SX2002 wrote:

I just bought these, 5 pieces for $4.90, delivered...all cameras do not come with them, e.g; my new D500..don't really need the level but this is just how they come...

Where did you buy it from?

Ollieboy

User ID wrote:

I like THAT ... sooooo kewl
that it doesn't matter if it's
accurate. Great snag !

For $5 how accurate can that Chinese junk be? What's the point if it's not accurate?

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

Gene51 wrote:

Junk. Very inaccurate. If your camera has an azimuth or level indicator function, use that instead - it's more accurate and it won't fall off.

Have one of each .....in a drawer somewhere. Hot shoe cover for the new SONY multi-use slot Yes, makes me nervous with all those tiny wires. Also depends on what you or i are shooting, on wildlife safari with filthy environment absolutely! Easy to lose when shifting to flash.

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I have a plastic level that I just had to have one day. It is pain in the a..... and I never use it. PM me and I'll mail it to you.

Norm

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

SX2002 wrote:

I just bought these, 5 pieces for $4.90, delivered...all cameras do not come with them, e.g; my new D500..don't really need the level but this is just how they come...

Actually the D500 has something called a virtual horizon. Apparently it's not on by default and hard to find in Nikon's somewhat convoluted menuing system.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4341853

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

junglejim1949 please share with us what assignments and or client's requirements warrant having your camera precisely level at moment of capture?
Food for thought... Image editing software allows for easy correction if there might be a slight issue with the horizon in an image...

Best advice? Ignore or better yet disable popup ads... :)

All the best on your journey junglejim1949

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

junglejim1949 wrote:

I received a popup ad for a camera hot shoe bubble level and cover. Prices ranged from $6 to $19+. I spoke with a couple of friends; one said it fell off Hot Shoe the other said, good value and liked the cover as it protected the contacts.

Is there a big difference in brands? Is it worth it?
***Amazon $10.99 for both
***B&H $19 for the cube

Would like to get your feedback,
Thanks,
Jim

I have one somewhere, but I haven't found a need for it. Unless the camera is on a tripod (or something) it would be difficult to use.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I have a bunch of the cheapies and treat them as disposable shoe covers. The bubble level is occasionally useful if I’m setting up a panorama on a tripod without a built in level, where I just need a rough starting point. The main purpose is protecting the flash contacts, and I don’t feel bad if I mislay them when they’re off the camera. I use a pocket bubble Level on the tripod plate when I need precision.

The in-camera level on my D7100 is only one axis, but that’s more than enough for handheld shooting.

Andy

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

mwsilvers wrote:

Actually the D500 has something called a virtual horizon. Apparently it's not on by default and hard to find in Nikon's somewhat convoluted menuing system.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4341853

Yes, I know that and my level is switched on...it's not about the level, it's about the cover for the hot shoe terminals..these just happened to have the level...