Ralph Barker , Jan 21, 2003; 05:32 p.m.
Based on a tip posted here a couple of weeks ago, I picked up one
of the new Voigtlander spirit levels, along with a dual-shoe adapter
from Stephen Gandy. It's a slick little circular bubble level device
that is of potential interest to anyone who uses wide-angle lenses.
Here's what it looks like mounted in the dual-shoe adapter:
As mounted in the dual-shoe adapter, it only works for
landscape-mode compositions, but the angle mount allows you to check
level while composing in the auxiliary finder without moving your
head. For vertical shots, remove the level from the shoe, and place
it on the end of the adapter and against the camera's top plate.
Gary Ferguson 
, Jan 21, 2003; 06:18 p.m.
Do you believe it could accomodate both a 21/24mm viewfinder and a Voigtlander accessory meter on an M3?
Eliot , Jan 21, 2003; 06:54 p.m.
A "spirit level" for a camera accessory shoe is not exactly a "new" idea, by my reckoning. In the early-mid 1930s, Leitz offered a bubble level (in back paint or chrome finish) to be used to level the camera for panoramic shots or with wide angle lenses. The Leitz bubble levels were called FIBLA or DOOLU (I forget which one was earlier) and fit in a camera accessory shoe or in the accessory shoe of a waist level type viewfinder (the AUFSU).
There was also a bubble level built into the top of the accessory VF provided with the 15 mm F/8 Hologon-M. The only difference is that the C/V model is eye level rather than waist level (ie., requiring the viewer to look down).
I bought an original black paint (on brass) DOOLU (or FIBLA, whatever) for $ 100 on eBay, a few years back. It works perfectly well. But I really don't have much use for it. It makes a nice collectible.
Paul Hart , Jan 21, 2003; 07:03 p.m.
I've been down this route and sold the lot. The conclusion I reached was: who wants to add all this debris to the top plate of a camera one of whose main virtues is compactness?
Ron Snyder , Jan 21, 2003; 07:32 p.m.
How well does it work with the camera in the vertical position?
Lee Shively , Jan 21, 2003; 07:36 p.m.
Ralph, this really is too much stuff.
Take heart. I love to quote Garry Winogrand. His response: "What tilt?"
Jay . , Jan 21, 2003; 08:08 p.m.
I've never used bubble levels or grid screens and can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would. I just use the sides or top/bottom of the frame as a guide, and when it looks level, it *is* level. I mean, why not just take your eye away from the finder for a half second, and look at the actual horizon if you really can't figure out through the finder if it's level or not? That said you can buy a little (about the size of a quarter) flat plastic stick-on bubble level for about $2.00 at Home Depot and stick it on top of the accessory finder.
The double-shoe thingy is great though. I keep both the 28 and 21 finders on it so I can switch between the Tri-Elmar and the 21 without having to switch finders. Also, the 28 finder sits to the left, so I can get my eye to it quicker and my nose doesn't make an oily print on the camera's rubber eyepiece (which next time transfers to my glasses).
Ray . 
, Jan 21, 2003; 10:10 p.m.
There should be a spirit level indicator with LED readouts inside the viewfinder. Or not. ;)
js bc , Jan 21, 2003; 10:51 p.m.
I think the spirit level is much more useful for the 15mm and 12mm. With those lenses, even the most minute tilt (not noticeable when framing the picture) often leads to really exaggerated perspective in the final photo.
Oliver S. , Jan 22, 2003; 07:12 a.m.
