[DIY] Camera Spirit Level for SLR or PnS

[Freaky]

Ok... was a bit bored, my astro has gone wonkers so can't watch TV, finished all the movies fulat passed to me and din wanna 'work'...;)

...so i drove to 1U, picked up a spirit level and decided to convert it for my cam... :0

Din think it was worth paying SG$50 or US$25-55 for a "manufactured" spirit level as even the branded spirit levels for 'normal' use only costs RM35...

So looked around and found giant had the el-cheapo no-brand spirit level(SL) and for only RM8 :partyon:

I chose this particular one, not because it was the cheapest, but because i saw the center level had screws holding it in place, which meant to me, it would be easier to dismantle... and i was right :D...

The whole thing was fairly easy to dismantly, unscrew the middle spirit level, pop out the circular spirit level, then cut the red outer plastic of the circular spirit level to free it.

This is what it looks liked dismanted...
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As all my tools was in my office (as i am doing my own renovation, the only things i had to use was my swiss army knife, a set of 'precision screwdrivers', a cutting blade...

So after dismantling, I decided to lock the circular SL to the middle SL. What i decided to do was to cut one side of the middle SL and then file away the gap until the circular SL fits snuggly into the gap.

Cut until the edge of square...
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Turned blunt end facing square of SL as not to cut any further in while filing down...
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Make sure you test the size regularly, otherwise it will fall off...

When u finish, it should look like this...
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[Freaky]

Next, i made a cardboard template of the base unit to hold the SL's, and to ensure it fits the camera....

I measured the SL's and my hotshoe size and cam up with the dimensions (for canon 400D, but should be standard for other cams at it fits my sony 717):

Top of T-section = 15mm x 55mm
Straight of T-section = 18mm x 23mm
Total Width x Height = 55mm x 38mm (T)


Hotshoe approximate size fits 18mm x 18mm x 2mm. I also gave a 5mm bend section, thereby giving you your 23mm

I made a crease line at the edge of the 'Top of T-section' and 5mm in from the edge of the 'Top of T-section'. It should look something like this...

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Now remember this children... You will be using a blade to cut this, so be careful... If you are not confident, please ask your parents or older brother or sister to assist you... :D

[Freaky]

As a person who doesn't like to waste anything and collects a lot of junk... here's one time it works out...:D

For the base unit, i used a plastic CD divider (the ones that comes on top or bottom of your blank CDR's). If you got one of the older ones, it should be thick enough. Most newer ones are only 1 level thick not double layered...:P

Instead of measuring out the dimensions, i just used my template and drew around it with a sharpie. I then used a blade to slowly and CAREFULLY slice the plastic with a metal ruler on the lines.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL AS BLADES ARE EASILY SLIPPED OFF LINE ON PLASTIC...

On long straight cuts, there's no need to cut all the way thru... Cut half way then snap it off... But if you do this and don't cut enough, the plastic will crack, as plastic easily does.

It should look like this...
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Once you have a T- shaped plastic, light a candle to melt the folding area, to fold the T.
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This will give you the base of the T to sit in the hotshoe and the top of the T to hold the SL's. with a slight gap in-between.

WARNING: FIRE IS DANGEROUS

So kids, please get an elder brother or sister or your parents to assist you.

When melting plastic, don't hold it too close to the flames as it will blacken easier (if got electrical alternative even better) and will sometime bubble. Slowly melt the plastic.

Once it flops, quickly bend it over something a few mm thick and flat on both sides. I used my saw blade from my swiss army knife. Hold the plastic until it cools, otherwise it will move out of shape...

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[Freaky]

The final stage is putting it all together...

You will need a flat, level surface to do this, otherwise your level, won't be level...

Before you put it together, clean it off. My circular SL was glued to it's red rim, so I had to clean it off. I also polished some scuff marks from the filing and cutting of the plastic. I used toothpaste (make sure it's not the gel type) as this is a great tool to buff scratches off plastic.

Initially, I was going to screw (or bolt it) together so i manually made some screw holes with my "precision screwdrivers" as my drill is not around. I lined up the SL with the T and marked off the holes.

However, after making holes in my new device, I discovering the screws were ugly and that i had no nuts and bolts in the house that fits, i decided to glue them together (which is a better way). I used PVC pipe glue for this...

I also decided to cut the top half of the circular SL to make it flat.

When putting it all together, make sure the flat level surface is used to test the "levelness" of you level.

In the end it should look something like this...

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If you bending of the T is not exactly 'perfect' you can re-melt the plastic and do it again. However, with all the things stuck on, it will be harder to do... Again. remember to hold it in place until it cools off or it will move out of shape.

Lastly, please not that when ever you deal with plastic, it easliy cracks. When drilling, cutting or applying any pressure, do it slowly and gently. Any rushed or forced movement will cause it to crack.

So for RM8 and 1 hour, you own camera spirit level...:D

[astroboy]

I am amazed by your ingenuity. Great stuff.

:cool:

[limgt]

Great stuff :thumbs_up:

[jayhan]

You da man freaky! ooohhh weee!!
You are officially now being honored the el-Cheapo Datukship! :D

[noordin]

You're a champion!

Ingenious. :)

[wasabi]

0_0 ||

Rm8

[ckii96]

This is good stuff! But I may need one full day to make one as I'm not skillful. :D

[calios]

Kewl stuff dude...Can I place my booking now? Or what about a MO? :D

[Freaky]

Astroboy, limgt, Noordin, Sabi,

Thanks

You da man freaky! ooohhh weee!!
You are officially now being honored the el-Cheapo Datukship! :D

LOL jay...:D

This is good stuff! But I may need one full day to make one as I'm not skillful. :D

No need lah... quite simple one...

Kewl stuff dude...Can I place my booking now? Or what about a MO? :D

LOL... if MO, I'll charge RM50...:?

[alancheong7]

Hats off to you :thumbs_up:

[qqmeng]

freaky the SA Mcgyver! :D

[derickuan]

:thumbs_up: for creativity. Well done!

[stockie]

You da man!

[Darren Tan]

:rock: Genious!! I always wanted to do one of my own, but dunno where to start from. :redface:

[scotty]

what if the vertical and horizontal water leveler glued not 90 degree fit? hahahaha

[Charles]

you rox !!

[Freaky]

what if the vertical and horizontal water leveler glued not 90 degree fit? hahahaha

Then the question will become...

Why my photo's like that one???:?;):0

:D