Take the time to calibrate your camera!

[jwooddell]

Hi all!

Playing with my camera a little more.

I learned than in regards to my Azmith out to about 40 degrees elevation, I am within 1 degree accurate and typically under 1/2 of 1 degree on most things I can measure.

I realized the other night my elevation was way off...at least 10 degrees.

So, I made some adjustments and went out with my handy dandy #800 micro level (inclinometer that is older than I am) and took some readings at the same level as my lense.

Here is what I found after making adjustments based on fixed objects in my view for reference. Everything in degrees.

1. Top of tallest palm tree leaves: Measured: 34.5 View: 34.63

2. Bottom of tallest palm tree leaves: Measured: 22.0 View: 21.46

3. Top of Telephone pole in back yard: Measured: 12 View: 11.06 (hard to really see the top)

4. Top of 7 Mhz antenna: Measured: 18 View: 18.74 (hard to see top)

5. Top of 14 Mhz antenna: Measured: 39 View: 37.52

6. Highest part of neighbors tree: Measured: 23 View: 23.5

So, plus or minus minor measurement errors, I would say I am darn close up to about 40 degrees elevaton. Mostly within 1 degree.
My zenith, if it is my zenith, measures with a few tenths of 90 degrees.
I can not say anything about the elevation between 40 and 90 degrees other than is "should be" close?????


A lot of folks bad mouth these cams and tell me they are not worth a poop. But I beg to differ and if one takes the time to calibrate them, can be fairly accurate....and are certainly repeatable.

Please take the time and calibrate your cameras!

Jim

[peterdf]

Thanks Jim, I didn't bother with this before but after calibrating my camera it made a huge difference