Vello Two-Axis Hot-Shoe Bubble Level

Love, love, love it.
I am a product, food, studio guy. Keeping plumb and square and level to a set either shooting across or straight down (a popular food movement these days). I use this level to keep my focal plane & perspective issues in check. This humble bubble level is a must. I have a 5ds, 5d4, and an 80d. ALL of these bodies have a digital level which of course is really great and I do use and utilize this feature. But in the heat of a shoot, with that little... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good enough for Photography
After reading some comments on this 3 axis level and on some 2 axis level, I was a bit unsure about its accuracy. So I decided to do my own experiment. Nothing Highly scientific since it is mostly use for photography as an artistic expression tool. The results showed me it is accurate enough for all kind of photographic purpose not including HIGHLY scientific photography. Good enough for landscape photography and for panoramic photography. Also g... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Does the job
I bought this after reading both positive and negative reviews. It does fit a little loose, so I took the advice from another person and cut out a square from a business card and slid it into place. It fits snug after that. I ended up cutting a few extra pieces that I keep in my camera bag. I use it primarily for landscapes and real estate photography. Another friend asked me why I'm using this compared to the level on tripods. The answer is simp... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Inexpensive, and it shows
I use this for architectural and real estate photography; I'd lost my Cullmann equivalent (brushed off the camera into dense undergrowth...) and bought two of these as a failsafe replacement... The thing works fine, but I had to put a little tape on one flange of its sliding foot because, when installed in the hotshoe, I found that it was canted to the right -- the left spring of the 1Dx's shoe wasn't pushing the thing up against the metal retain... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Inexpensive but does the job!
Just snug enough not to fall off from the hot shoe. But loose enough to easily take it off. For the price I paid..it meets reasonable accuracy expectations. I wish the bubbles were bigger but I'm not an engineer so I don't know if the purpose of the smaller bubbles helps with accuracy since the length of the liquid tubes are much shorter than ones found in spirit levels used for carpentry & construction. Right after opening the packaging, I notic... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Works as advertised and good value
A bubble level makes accurate levelling much easier when the camera is on a tripod. The two-axis design is much better than the one-bubble round design, especially if you want to tilt the camera up or down (pitch)while keeping it exactly horizontal (roll). The bubbles are easy to see in any light you could photograph by. The plastic flanges fit well into a hot shoe - tight enough that there is no risk of the level falling out, but not so tight th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Poor quality control
I purchased one of these bubble levels several years ago, and it proved to be an excellent purchase. I have used it thousands of times with several cameras. However, I recently purchased another that would not fit into any hot-/accessory shoe on any of my cameras without forcing it into place, Unfortunately, I broke the mounting tab trying to remove it. BH Photo generously sent me another one: same problem. At least this new one works in the vert... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
This level is awesome for shooting from the hip!
I bought this little level sort of on a whim as I got the dealzone email. I am currently enrolled in a photography degree and one of my assignments was to do a little street photography. I had been having a difficult time getting well composed shots without being so obvious and thought that this might help keep my shots balanced. It certainly did and I was able to focus more on the subject and creative side of the shoot. It also was very helpful ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
DO NOT BUY - Falls Off Camera
I love the concept, but hate the design. The bubble is made of a soft rubber that doesnt snap in and lock! WONT STAY IN!! I just got it and lost it on my first shoot! Not well designed to stay on the camera. Lost it on a shoot up in the mountains. In the midst of moving my camera around and setting up for the shoot, the bubble simply slipped right out when I moved from one shooting location to the other. I didnt notice it was gone until I was s... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Review of Vello Low Profile Bubble Level
Looks to be perfect for my use. One reviewer complained because it was so small, apparently somehow oblivious to the fact that hot shoes are small, so anything sitting flush is going to be small. I bought it to put on my Sony A6300. When the camera is on a ball head on a tripod this is the perfect way to level it, especially for panoramic shots. Since the A6300 has a tilt screen, I prefer to have the tripod at waist level (like a Rollei or Hassel... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Very useful for macro photography!
Ive started doing a lot of macro photography again with light tents. While its not hard to make sure my macro subjects were level, I always struggled with making sure the camera itself was level both horizontally and vertically. I saw a video online of a photographer using this level and thought I would give it a try. Im very happy with its performance and leave it on my hot shoe all the time now when taking macro photos indoors. It even works if... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent function
I envisioned using the bubble level with my camera mounted on a tripod. I did not consider that while using Live View on my Canon 70D the level is very helpful with the camera hand held. One example: when hand holding my camera I prefer not to get down on my knees or get into a squat in order to put the camera at the correct level to take a full body portrait shot. So, I remain standing and place the camera near my belt line with the monitor faci... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Just for basic
I have other Vello products that I like, and I bought this to take pictures in nooks and crannies of machinery, where I don't always have the ability to sight through the viewfinder. I bought this to help with alignment, as the orthongal lines of the machinery make off level quite obvious. This level is small and relatively inexpensive, so it can be handy but is about 2 degrees off and the various sides are not orthogonal to each other or to the internal vials. I used this once and then got the LensCoat 3 axis level for $$more, and that is satisfactory, sighting in under one degree.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great little helper
Level photos are important in most situations. Software can straighten some photos, but without a method of verifying the vertical or horizontal leveling, it is only a wish and a guess. The two-axis shoe bubble level can be carried in a pocket, in the camera bag or even on the camera strap with extra memory. It slides nicely into your hot-shoe. Many tripods and heads have bubble levels, but usually not a vertical-horizontal choice. One small drawback is that it does not have a method of securing it to a strap. It needs a small case or a loop to connect it.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
A handy, useful kit addition
I'd had a camera level on my add to kit list for a while. Desiring to find true horizon shooting landscapes in some hilly/mountain terrain situations. Could not see why a 2-axis would be as good as or better than 3, so when this came on the daily e-mail deal, I ordered 2. It fits the hotshoe snugly, is easy to quickly level camera to true in portrait *and* landscape mode. I'm pleased I added to my kit, and recommend it (at discounted price=even better, Even @ full retail, it's a handy, useful little device - IF you have a handy/useful need...
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
on the level
I thought it might be a gadget I could use to achieve perfect level while calibrate my lenses, set up Product shots. I have found it takes frustration out of achieving perfect level. I have used it several times in studio and found my work table has a slight lean and needed adjusted, I also used it to get perfect horizon shots in low light. I am now glad I bought it. Taking any hassle out of my workflow saves me time and time is money. 4 stars only because of price It should be cheaper. No problem with build, quality, or fit on camera.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Works as Advertised
Use it on my E-3 for landscape photos. Particular areas I work in feature many contours and slopes, making it particularly difficult to determine horizontal. The bubble level solve that problem completely. Only wish the second mounting fixture wasn't on the cross-plane side. That makes it difficult to view the bubble from the end, because one must view it through the mount. This position is useful on occasions when one wants to use the viewfinder and refer to the leveling bubble at the same time.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Does not fit all cameras
The shoe size is standard, but not all cameras have a standard shoe size (like people :) ) For example, the Sony PJ790. That camera does not have a built in level, such as the cheaper Sony HX20 has a built-in level (which you see on the screen). However, the much more expensive PJ790 does not; I don't know why. A level is helpful especially when you are at an angle forward or backward, or on a hill when it is hard to see a straight line of gravity. it would be nice if there would be some adapter.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
NOT accurate. Useless. Do not buy.
I was surprised to see how inaccurate it was. I thought I simply received a defective unit, so B&H shipped me a replacement. The replacement, while perhaps a little bit better than the 1st one, was also inaccurate & unusable. I tested both Vellos against two larger float levels and also my cellphone level app (all 3 of which gave me identical readings by the way), and BOTH Vello units were inaccurate and therefore useless. B&H issued a refund & did not ask me to return either unit (thanks B&H).
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Stays Put!
I bought this on a whim after losing the hot shoe cover on my Olympus E-M1 after owning it for only about 3 days. I always buy several replacements and carry them in my bag, so when I saw this I thought I would give it a shot. It's rubber, not hard plastic so it fits more snugly into the hot shoe. The bubble is really handy for shooting landscapes. Most of all, it stays put, even when getting your camera in and out of the bag several times a session. An added bonus - it looks really cool.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Pretty Handy
I keep this little level in my hot shoe when not using a speedlight, it fits securely and helps to ensure that my shots remain level, particularly when using a wide angle lens. I'll be using my Joby GorillaPod Mini-Tripod (also a cool and useful little thing) this summer, when taking wide angle landscape photos and videos in Ireland. With only one bubble and the level's hot shoe positioning, it won't help with leveling vertically oriented photos, but for the price it's pretty handy.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
It's on the Level
A camera level is a simple device but an invaluable one. Slide the level in the camera hot-shoe and it helps you fix the camera at a proper horizontal or verticle plane. When trying to set up the camera on a tripod on uneven terrain, this device is a necessity. Keep in mind, you must remove the level from the hot-shoe if you want to operate the built-in camera flash. Otherwise, the camera thinks there is an external flash unit in the hot-shoe and deactivates the built-in flash.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Have to say I am very pleased
Have to say I am very pleased with Vello's Excellent service la clientele. I must have got a bad piece with my previous bought (and not so good review) that cracked easily. I just received a new one and so far-so good, it is working great and the plastic's integrity seems to be holding solid. I have not tested it in cold wx (below 0F) yet. I will definitely buy again Vello's products. They truly stand behind their product and look forward to satisfy their customers.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Requires a Shim
The thickness of the flange that fits into the hot shoe varies from too loose on the left side, to a good fit on the right. If I insert a flat tooth pick into the left side, it works satisfactorily. If you turn the level around 180 degrees, then it is too loose on the right side. It is a manufacturing problem. I do not think it is worth the full price. I got mine on a special offer and decided to keep it. B&H sent me a second one and it had the same problem.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video