[darrellx (Darrell)]

Hi All

I have been reading a bit about levelling a mount and I would like to clarify whats acceptable or okay. I read where some say near enough is good enough.

First of all I realise that it depends on the use - visual or photography. So lets say this is for photography. Also, lets say this is for levelling either a pier base or a tripod, and the distance across the base plate is 200mm.

I have attached three pics from a "simulation".

In my mind, pic 1 shows perfect levelling. The bubble is nicely centred between the lines. This would be the ideal.

Pic 2. The bubble is still between the lines, but is off-centre.

Pic 3. The bubble is outside the lines, or part of it is.

The question is, would pic 2 represent an acceptable (workable?) or okay levelling of the mount for photographic purposes? Across a 200mm mounting plate, this represents a variation of about 1mm.

Pic 3, I think would be unacceptable or not okay for photography but may be okay for visual.

From what I have been reading, if I interpret correctly, guiding can overcome some problems if the mount is not perfectly levelled.

I am interested to hear opinions.

Thanks
darrell