Small Carpenter's Level and Magnifying Glass
 

This idea - may or may not help folks but I will put it in anyway.

I have found the use of a small plastic level makes my images have architecturally straight lines. This I cannot do by just aiming my cam at something - even on a tripod. With my Graph Paper Plastic Grid Lines on the cam screen - I have a double check as I work at this task.

I have included my original and my worked up copy - NO IMAGE ROTATION needed - on the P C using this level. This post on the right side is my guide line. This is at the Market with the video cam.

I hold the level against the flat side of the cam. Also, I sometimes use a magnifying glass or lupe with the level to double check the bubble placement in the level.

For artists in the group, l just found the idea that the level can be used for the same idea of string and weight of a plumb line fro straight lines.

For those who like to walk - without a stand of some kind - put an elastic band around the cam - below the eye window and above the screen - on the cam back. Put the level - vertical - through the elastic - about half way down the level. This will give complete open ended levelling of one's scene. Doing this is far better than doing CLICKS' in a ROTATION TOO which may be one - or a few degrees - with each click. Use the screen guide lines as a double check.

A point I found useful is - using a platform tripod head, if the cam lens is pointed 90 degrees to the direction of the platform shaft direction, you have a 180 degree - OPEN ENDED ROTATION SCENE CORRECTION - from 9 o’clock through 12 o’clock and around to 3 o’clock ( like on a clock face). This is OPEN ENDED CORRECTION – used in conjunction with the small carpenter’s level – offers high accuracy of straight lines and other parts of the scene.

For all who have answered here my thanks for the kind words. They are much appreciated.