A Eureka moment - more about cameras

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Grandad
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A Eureka moment - more about cameras

Post by Grandad »

There are two things I do immediately when I open a new picture on screen; 1) look to see if there are any leaning verticals or tilting horizontals and 2) see if a crop will improve the image.

My Eureka moment came when searching through the menus on my Fuji HS50. I came across a line 'Electronic Level'. Switched it to ON and bingo, I now have an unobtrusive dark line horizontally through the centre of the frame. If I am not level there is a bright line indicating MY horizon that disappears when I correct my incline. It is a bit like a pilots horizon in the cockpit.
How clever is that?
And also when I turn the camera to portrait format, the line automatically adjusts to that mode.

I don't have this feature on the Fuji X10. Have you got this on your camera Horus and have you or anyone else found something very clever about their camera. No excuses now for me for tilting horizons. :lol:


:gg:
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Re: A Eureka moment - more about cameras

Post by Horus »

I am surprised that it is not on your Fuji X10 Grandad as it is a standard feature on my X-S1 and very useful it is too :up
My line turns green when it is level.
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Re: A Eureka moment - more about cameras

Post by Kiya »

Oh very useful! :) no idea if mine has that....probably not :(
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Re: A Eureka moment - more about cameras

Post by Horus »

Go through your menus Kiya and see if there is anything in them about built in levels :up
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Re: A Eureka moment - more about cameras

Post by Grandad »

Checked the X10 again H and definitely no built in level. I can cope with that though with the live viewfinder. I just thought it was such a clever and useful feature. A screen grid helps with levelling but this is a step further. :up
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Re: A Eureka moment - more about cameras

Post by Horus »

Just checked mine again Grandad and it has 3 grid options, a 9, a 24 & one for HD which gives two parallel lines in the viewer to simulate the wide HD format.

The level indicator on mine is a straight Blue line across the centre of the viewer with another White line that pivots about the centre axis of the Blue one to indicate the amount of “out of level” there is in the shot you are taking. As you correct the tilt the two lines converge until they reach a point where they sit one on top of the other to indicate a level horizon, at this point the now ‘single’ line turns Green. :up
It is remarkably easy to use and a very useful feature to have.
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Re: A Eureka moment - more about cameras

Post by Grandad »

I think the software in my HS50 is the same as yours H. I have all that you mention above and as you say, the level is so easy to use. What intrigues me is what sensor is built in to give the level datum line?
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Re: A Eureka moment - more about cameras

Post by Horus »

It will be some sort of Inclinometer Grandad, or more likely a simple tilt sensor as it is only working in two axis. They use transducers that produce an electric signal that is proportional to the degree of inclination with respect to one or more axes.
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Re: A Eureka moment - more about cameras

Post by Kiya »

Had a good look through all my Menus & nothing about Electronic/built in levels ......as I thought :(
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Re: A Eureka moment - more about cameras

Post by Grandad »

Kiya I just found that the electronic horizon IS now built into The EOS 60 with just the level guide that Horus and I have, and on the EOS7D, the big pro camera, they have built in a level and tilt sensor. That is really pushing the technology and in fact gives you viewfinder information very similar to what a pilot has to tell him the attitude of his aircraft.

And with the 3 x 3 grid switched on in combination with the level, every frame should be a good one :lol:

Isn't technology amazing :up
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Re: A Eureka moment - more about cameras

Post by Kiya »

Thanks Grandad for that info :up
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Re: A Eureka moment - more about cameras

Post by LovelyLadyLux »

WOW - that would be a terrific thing. I have 3+ dots that go across my screen but it is still up to me to line them up in a straight line across a horizon. Be nice to have something that lights up or comes on when I'm not straight.

I usually rely on Picasa for straightening what I have crooked (and I have LOTS).
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