Auto Horizon Feature?
Oct 31, 2019 07:25:47 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
As I used to tell our project teams: the unreported problem doesn't exist.
And a tree falling in the forest doesn't make a sound unless someone is there to hear it . . .
Oct 31, 2019 07:58:59 #
wdross wrote:
The best thing for the hands shaking the camera is IBIS. With IBIS, one could press the shutter half way, the image would stabilize, one could check the level, and then shoot. The only problem here is the best IBIS is in the Olympus and Panasonic cameras. Check for IBIS coming probably soon in your brand. Do not settle for less than 4.5 stops.
But sometimes there are action shots where the only option is to point the camera, shoot and hope for the best.
Oct 31, 2019 08:26:39 #
ggab
Loc: ?
wdross wrote:
The best thing for the hands shaking the camera is IBIS. With IBIS, one could press the shutter half way, the image would stabilize, one could check the level, and then shoot. The only problem here is the best IBIS is in the Olympus and Panasonic cameras. Check for IBIS coming probably soon in your brand. Do not settle for less than 4.5 stops.
IMHO, the best thing for the hands shaking the camera is to either improve technique or to remove the hands and use a tripod.
Oct 31, 2019 08:42:37 #
pecohen wrote:
Some cameras make available a digital level to hel... (show quote)
Unless you don't have edit software, I wouldn't even worry about it while shooting. It's trivial to correct in post.
Oct 31, 2019 08:58:09 #
pithydoug wrote:
Unless you don't have edit software, I wouldn't even worry about it while shooting. It's trivial to correct in post.
Yes, it is easy to correct in post. However, if it is bad enough the cropping you will need to do after leveling can be a heavy price to pay. We should at the least be aware of the horizon and/or strong verticals when composing.
Oct 31, 2019 09:58:02 #
pithydoug wrote:
Unless you don't have edit software, I wouldn't even worry about it while shooting. It's trivial to correct in post.
Yes, it is trivial to adjust the rotation with any decent editing software. But the point is that it is not always trivial to know how much of an adjustment to make, particularly if you want the scene to be an accurate representation. The problem is that in most cases you don't really know where horizontal really is; that is why they make levels.
Oct 31, 2019 10:00:30 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
My Photos app applies an initial level adjustment automatically when I select the Crop/Level tool in the Editor.
Oct 31, 2019 10:05:14 #
I always have grid lines on my camera viewfinder screens and use them to orient the image correctly, thus seldom have to use the straightening tool in post. John
Oct 31, 2019 10:07:35 #
NCMtnMan
Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC
I understand your comment and question. However, it seems a bit of overkill. You were there and should have a very goid idea of how level the horizon was compared to your shot. No one looking at your finished image will know.
Oct 31, 2019 10:22:36 #
Leitz wrote:
I believe that most editors would just bin a crooked photo and look for one taken by a competent photographer.
....Wow!!! Happy Halloween!!
Oct 31, 2019 10:23:55 #
Rich1939 wrote:
Yes, it is easy to correct in post. However, if it is bad enough the cropping you will need to do after leveling can be a heavy price to pay. We should at the least be aware of the horizon and/or strong verticals when composing.
No disrespect but if one can't get real close while hand holding, I would suggest a tripod. How many shots will be missed playing the the in camera leveling.
Oct 31, 2019 10:32:03 #
Electronic levels in the camera are sometimes (in the bright light) hard to see, but the rule is rather simple: Trees are usualy growing straight up and calm water body is also usually horizontal. When you have to tilt the camera, make sure, that the slanting trees are symetrical on both sides of your image and nobody would complain?
Some PP tools are also available so you can dial any arbitrary angle value to rotate the image - clockwise or counterclockwise.
Some PP tools are also available so you can dial any arbitrary angle value to rotate the image - clockwise or counterclockwise.
Oct 31, 2019 10:54:16 #
pithydoug wrote:
No disrespect but if one can't get real close while hand holding, I would suggest a tripod. How many shots will be missed playing the the in camera leveling.
" We should at the least be aware of the horizon and/or strong verticals when composing."
Please note that I did not mention using the camera's artificial horizon. Full disclosure however, I have used that aide both hand held and while using a tripod. It will definitely slow you down, if you obsess over it. Normally it takes no more time than aligning your view finder edge with a distant horizon. Which may, or may not,be truly level.
Oct 31, 2019 19:19:03 #
I find the in-camera level to have a bit of play. It's good for a general idea, but still requires your eye to get things exact.
I like the idea of exporting the tilt degree as part of the image data. If cameras don't already to do, I find it unlikely to happen for two reasons:
1. As mentioned above, I'm not sure what degree of accuracy the levels currently provide.
2. There are software packages that claim "auto horizon level" as a feature. With this technology becoming a thing, there will be less incentive for camera companies to add such a feature to their hardware - especially if it involved increasing the degree of accuracy in their sensor.
I like the idea of exporting the tilt degree as part of the image data. If cameras don't already to do, I find it unlikely to happen for two reasons:
1. As mentioned above, I'm not sure what degree of accuracy the levels currently provide.
2. There are software packages that claim "auto horizon level" as a feature. With this technology becoming a thing, there will be less incentive for camera companies to add such a feature to their hardware - especially if it involved increasing the degree of accuracy in their sensor.
Nov 1, 2019 02:57:38 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
ggab wrote:
IMHO, the best thing for the hands shaking the camera is to either improve technique or to remove the hands and use a tripod.
I really do respect your opinion, but I also have to agree with pecohen that there are situations that neither technique or tripod can be used.
In a German train station, we were told by our guide we had five minutes before going to the train. I wanted to capture the hustle and bustle of the people. I pulled out my camera, shot a sucessful 4 second handheld shot at eye level, decided to change to 2 seconds and hold my camera as high above my head as possible for perspective with the back screen articulated. I then shot four successful 2 second shots, heard the guide say, "Let's go", packed my camera, and left after the group all in 5 minutes (the guide was Austrian / German and 5 minutes was exactly 5 minutes). There was no time for a tripod (didn't even have one on the trip) or a way to get it that high above my head. Does anyone here on Ughyhedgehogs, including myself, think my arms are so rock steady that I can shoot four out of four successful 2 second shoots at an arms length above my head? Not me! The only way this could have been done was IBIS and ILIS. The Olympus IBIS and ILIS is really that good.
I have included one of the shots. Check the train numbers, the people that were standing around, and check the clock. The only thing I wish I could have had was a neutral density filter so I could have sharpen the picture by dropping the aperture from f22 to f8 or f11 to get rid of some of the diffraction.
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