adamz said:
got the cheapest possible, very useful for panos, also very easy to get lost

10-4 on losing/falling off/miss placing items of this size and nature. Though I'm very good at keep an eye on my camera gear. My intent for such an item is for night and panorama photography.

The $10 or less items seem, from what I have been reading, are not that reliable, thus I think the $17-25 ones are more in line with what I will end up getting.

Thanks for all input friends....cheers...

Of note, the D4, when the function button is programed for the artificial horizon, seems to work fairly well. It allows the PC lens to be used with shift and actually get the building straight, :-)

If you go to amazon or ebay you will find 2 and 3 axis bubble levels for about $5 to $15. They are easy and work instantly. No menus or time lag like with the artificial horizon in the cameras. Both of my cameras have artificial horizons (d3s and d800) but both are somewhat slow to register changes in attitude.

@adamz +1 on the lost part!

I think one has to calibrate whatever you get with a reliable level.

IMO, the three axis is really considerably more accurate than the bubble, as the sheer size of the bubbles is generally much bigger. But, I cannot find my little one I have had for years, due to the +1 above :-)

got the cheapest possible, very useful for panos, also very easy to get lost

golf007sd said:

@msmoto...thanks for the recommendation, Was looking at the Manfrotto 337 Hot Shoe Double Axis Bubble Level. From what I have been reading not all of them are truly level. As the saying goes: "you pay for what you get."

Cheers...

I would just get the 7$ one from Amazon and use my level to check it. MUCH cheaper than $15-$25

No idea if they still make them, But mine is made by Linhof ( it's probably 40 years old )

SquamishPhoto said:
Call me crazy, but why wouldn't you just use the virtual horizon in the camera?

My D7000 has the virtual horizon, which I can use at will, however, the advantage of having such a external device is, speed and saving your battery life.

@msmoto...thanks for the recommendation, Was looking at the Manfrotto 337 Hot Shoe Double Axis Bubble Level. From what I have been reading not all of them are truly level. As the saying goes: "you pay for what you get."

Cheers...

I got a central bubble for my D90 - much easier to use than three axis IMHO, with the camera on a ball head it is a moments work to centralise one bubble.

SquamishPhoto said:
Call me crazy, but why wouldn't you just use the virtual horizon in the camera?

Not everyone has such a new camera as you do. :D

Call me crazy, but why wouldn't you just use the virtual horizon in the camera?

Vello makes both a two axis and three axis hot shoe bubble level... B & H has them for about $15 and $25.

Does anyone use such a device? If so, which one: a Digital Spirit Bubble or the more traditional one: 2 or 3 axis?

Thanks for the feedback...Cheers