Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level (Bubble Level) - Clear
The Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level mounts into any standard shoe mount. Its double axis allows positioning of horizontal and vertical axis simultaneously. Ideal for landscapes and architectural photography, and especially for panoramic photography.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 48 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
91%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Fits well (36)
- Improves tripod function (34)
- Easy to use (28)
- Solid/sturdy (18)
- Compact (14)
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (18)
- Photography (15)
- Portraits (12)
- Travel (11)
- Landscape photography (9)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (20), Semi-pro photographer (9), Enthusiast (7), Pro photographer (5), Casual photographer (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (7)
Most Liked Positive Review
Level Device for Panoramic Shots
I purchased this leveler to use when taking a series of pictures for producing a panoramic image. One must level the tripod base plate first, followed by leveling the tripod head. Not doing this...Read complete review
I purchased this leveler to use when taking a series of pictures for producing a panoramic image. One must level the tripod base plate first, followed by leveling the tripod head. Not doing this results in a degraded image.
My tripod does not come with a builtin leveler so I have tried several options. First I went to a local hardware store and obtained several different models of carpenter line bubble levels for about $2 @. These worked well enough.
Next, I bought this Acratech leveler. The leveler is designed to be mounted in the flash shoe. It works well enough but I would say that it is a little small to level the tripod base plate. The carpenter levels are about 2x as long (2") and seem to be more capable with the bigger foot print.
I did use this level to create vertical panaramic images when shooting tall buildings in Chicago. Sidewalk to topside radio tower: click click click. This was done freehand while watching the mounted level bubble and not the image in the view finder. This proved to be mostly successfull.
Generally speaking, this device is excellent for taking pictures handheld, when the camera must be kept vertically or horizontally lined up with gravity. This is accomplished by mounting the level in the flash shoe.
Quality control: This leveler should be longer for finer movements. The workmanship left something to be desired.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Great Idea, But??
Use with a ball tripod head, monopod, handheld. Quick reference to level of camera.
But,,, Will not fit the Canon 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D in a horizontal position ...Read complete review
Use with a ball tripod head, monopod, handheld. Quick reference to level of camera.
But,,, Will not fit the Canon 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D in a horizontal position [longways], the shoe mount area is wider than the space provided on the vertical mount side. If the horizontal shoe mount was more centered, it would a very good product.
Will need to trim one edge of the vertical mount to make it work.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 48 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Attaches Firmly
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
Great for setting up landscape shots on the tripod. Much easier to use than the bubble in the tripod head. Multiple orientations possible allowing for vertical and horizontal use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
Cons
- Not accurate
Best Uses
- Super wide angle lens
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
Not accurate
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Hot shoe ready
Cons
- A little loose
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
Needed one of these to work with 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate (Manfrotto). Helps me level my 7D quickly.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- It works
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
I have been recommending this product to my photography students & workshop participants for years as the only "gadget" that will ever improve their photos. Read my full assessment, "On the Level — How to make Your Photos Level or Plumb Every Time", at the Eft-Stop blog.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Architecture
- Landscape/Scenery
- Panoramas
- Precise alignment
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
Fits my Nikon D40x, D90, and D300 snugly with about 1 to 2 mm clearance with the top of the viewfinder in the horizontal orientation or the other foot in the vertical orientation. Perfect for levelling of tripod shots. Bought this one over a single bubble product since two bubbles allow levelling each axis independently. Keep out of sunlight when not in use as the fluid color can bleach out after a while.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
I use it for all scenics and panoramic photography
Verticals and horizontal images are always true using this spirit level device
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Improves Tripod Function
- Inexpensive
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
Get level horizons every time.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Night Shots
- Wildlife
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
Bought this on basis of number of reviews. Works as advertised and fits inside an ordinary pill bottle for safe keeping. Another "good thing" for the photographer to have in her bag.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Flimsy
Best Uses
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
The first time I tried to remove the level from the shoe mount, the plastic broke. I didn't use much force at all to remove it.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
This is not a high tech item, just a simple vial with a bubble in it. But it's essential to keeping your pictures level and it does what it's supposed to do.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Still life
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
I bought this so that I didn't have to level my images in photoshop and lose information later. It is amazing.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
Easy to use and very useful for making sure the camera is level. Nothing bad to say about it!
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Wildlife
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
This little handy-leveler can save you serious frustration in the field as well as in post in trying to match the horizon. This now goes out with me on every shoot, and consider it a permanent part of my gear.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
- Comes off easy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
Very useful and handy. It helps to straighten my horizons which helps with post production. The only complain I have is that it comes off the hot shoe easily.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Handheld panoramic photos
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
I purchased this leveler to use when taking a series of pictures for producing a panoramic image. One must level the tripod base plate first, followed by leveling the tripod head. Not doing this results in a degraded image.
My tripod does not come with a builtin leveler so I have tried several options. First I went to a local hardware store and obtained several different models of carpenter line bubble levels for about $2 @. These worked well enough.
Next, I bought this Acratech leveler. The leveler is designed to be mounted in the flash shoe. It works well enough but I would say that it is a little small to level the tripod base plate. The carpenter levels are about 2x as long (2") and seem to be more capable with the bigger foot print.
I did use this level to create vertical panaramic images when shooting tall buildings in Chicago. Sidewalk to topside radio tower: click click click. This was done freehand while watching the mounted level bubble and not the image in the view finder. This proved to be mostly successfull.
Generally speaking, this device is excellent for taking pictures handheld, when the camera must be kept vertically or horizontally lined up with gravity. This is accomplished by mounting the level in the flash shoe.
Quality control: This leveler should be longer for finer movements. The workmanship left something to be desired.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
Very useful, even works when you don't have it mounted quite the rightway, thoughtful with the extra shoe mount for vertical and horizontal orientation of the camera. Big help with my panorama work.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
Cons
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
A nice little attachement when you need to more than "eye-ball" your pictures.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
Fits well in the shoe mount. Very sensitive. Double axis is very useful in pano and mulitple exposure shots.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
- Travel
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
I purchased this for my 5D MKll after reading several positive reviews. The unit seems to work great and is of high quality. My only reservation is that it does not fit real tight on the hot shoe.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Acratech Double Axis Spirit Level:
The bubble level fits well on my Nikon D300...not too tight and not too loose.
Nothing fancy...just a bubble level!
Displaying reviews 1-20
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- 10-Year Warranty
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