Transparent round bubble spirit level replacement/repair

[blee1996]

Hi, I have a transparent round bubble spirit level (12mm diameter, ice hockey puck type) that is dry and need to be replaced or repaired. It was used in a viewfinder for panoramic camera, and needs to be transparent on both sides.

I checked all over the Internet, and almost all of them have white opaque plastic on one side.

Do you know any replacement part, or do you know how to repair a bubble spirit level?

Thanks!

 

[Dan Daniel]

Can you remove the white plastic and polish out that surface on one that has the white? Often that white is part of the casting but there might be room to shave it off.

 

[Chuck1]

Is this for the voigtlander type ?
There was an ebay seller who had replacements for those.
But I didn't see it just now

 

[blee1996]

Is this for the voigtlander type ?
There was an ebay seller who had replacements for those.
But I didn't see it just now

No. It was the viewfinder for an uncommon Panflex T120 (WidePan Pro II 140) swing-lens panoramic camera.

 

[blee1996]

Can you remove the white plastic and polish out that surface on one that has the white? Often that white is part of the casting but there might be room to shave it off.

That is an interesting idea. I have a few of those to try your idea!

 

[blee1996]

Unfortunately the entire lower base is white plastic: removing it will break the bubble spirit level.

Still searching for a solution...

 

[DREW WILEY]

Depends on how much you want to spend. The cheap plasticky kinds you find on ordinary internet listings or in hardware stores aren't particularly accurate; and even your method of mounting them might get them to be off-level. You can buy machinist's quality bulbble levels from industrial suppliers; but expect to pay dearly. As formerly a dealer, I've been given even well machined transparent acrylic block examples from a German manufacturer; but one doesn't come across those readily either.

The point is, what kind of secondary mechanism do you have that you're mounting any level truly level? I have levels to check other levels.

 

[blee1996]

The point is, what kind of secondary mechanism do you have that you're mounting any level truly level? I have levels to check other levels.

I have bubble levels on the tripod and head. The camera itself does not have a second cold shoe, since the only shoe is mounted with the viewfinder. I can certainly mount another bubble level on top of the viewfinder using double-sided tape.

The benefit of the original transparent bubble level inside the viewfinder, is that I can see both the image frame and bubble level at the same time. It is helpful for handheld shots, but not necessary for tripod shots.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Well, that double-sided tape would probably further compromise the accuracy itself. And I question just how accurate your tripod and head levels actually are, unless you have classic survey-quality gear with multiple levels.
If one has a long enough camera surface to rest a device firmly against, pendulum style leveling devices work a lot better in conjunction with tripod use. But yeah, being able to see the level through the viewfinder itself would help in instances of handholding.

 

[AERO]

Lots of small standard types ( and different types horizontal/vertical comined as well))
on AliExpress...worth a look

 

[Graham06]

You could perhaps repair your drained level. While you are cleaning and polishing your existing one, see if you can find the hole by squeezing it under water. Then make replacement fluid with a neon marker and a few ounces of water. Hold it in the neon fluid and squeeze to let it in. Seal the hole with something replaceable ( hot glue is one idea )

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hi, I have a transparent round bubble spirit level (12mm diameter, ice hockey puck type) that is dry and need to be replaced or repaired. It was used in a viewfinder for panoramic camera, and needs to be transparent on both sides.

I checked all over the Internet, and almost all of them have white opaque plastic on one side.

Do you know any replacement part, or do you know how to repair a bubble spirit level?

Thanks!

google for 'double-bubble spirit level' .that worked for me.

Transparent round bubble spirit level replacement/repair

Hi, I have a transparent round bubble spirit level (12mm diameter, ice hockey puck type) that is dry and need to be replaced or repaired. It was used in a viewfinder for panoramic camera, and needs to be transparent on both sides. I checked all over the Internet, and almost all of them have...

www.photrio.com

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Here's two methods:

1. The Secondary Eye "Ghosting" Technique (The Practical Choice)​

This is the most popular method used by hand-held Horizon and Widelux panoramic photographers. It costs very little and doesn't require bulky modifications.

• The Setup: Mount a high-visibility, triple-axis hot shoe bubble level into the accessory shoe immediately adjacent to your panoramic viewfinder.
• How to Shoot: Keep your dominant eye pressed tightly against the panoramic viewfinder to track your 140-degree framing. Keep your non-dominant eye open. With a little practice, your brain will overlay (or "ghost") the bright green leveling bubble from your left eye directly into the visual field of your right eye.
• Why it works for hand-held: It gives you an instant, subconscious warning if your hands tilt or tilt forward while you are actively tracking a subject on the move.

2.

Custom Cold-Shoe Mechanical Splitter​

Because the WidePan Pro II's native finder doesn't have a level, many panoramic shooters build a tiny, lightweight "dual rig" on top of the camera using a dual cold-shoe extension bar.

This allows you to mount the native panoramic viewfinder on one side and a highly visible, angled reflective mirror level right beside it. By angling the mirror slightly toward your face, you can quickly glance down with a micro-movement of your eye to verify alignment right before pressing the mechanical cable release.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

You could perhaps repair your drained level. While you are cleaning and polishing your existing one, see if you can find the hole by squeezing it under water. Then make replacement fluid with a neon marker and a few ounces of water. Hold it in the neon fluid and squeeze to let it in. Seal the hole with something replaceable ( hot glue is one idea )

Water freezes. If the level glass breaks, it could leak into the camera ruining it. Special fluid?