How to get GoPro HD wide to focus under water?

[ptoot]

I recently bought the GoPro Hero HD wide, a lovely little camera but the moment you submerge it, the recording goes all blurry. Still good, but no comparison with the HD quality you get from it above water.

The reason for this blurry view is the spheric outer lens (polycarbonate) and the air between the camera's lens and the outer lens (about 1,5mm).

I'm thinking of simply applying a soft contact lens on the camera's lens, just wondering what diopter I should use, positive or negative? Any ideas, calculations, anyone?

(The regular (non-wide) camera does not have this problem because its outer case has a flat part in front of the inner lens)

 

[monkeyhatfork]

I have the standard go pro wide and thought the video underwater was very good for a camera of this price range, my only complaint was that it sometimes skips frames does this happen with your HD version? I think on the website it said that you lose much of the wide angle when shooting 1080 so nwonder if it would be better to just go with the non-wide housing, or does the hd only come in wide. interested to hear how your experiment with the contact lens goes. It would be great if you could get film quality video out of these cause they are so easy to dive with.

 

[trinbagospearo]

Yeh boys thats the problem the gopro hd. I believe its all to do the spheric outer lense that suppose to help with the wide angle view, has nothing to do with the air inside. I read somewhere that if you replace that convex lense with a flat lense it fixes everything, well for underwater. I guess it was design for more land usage. thats a defect with that camera in my eyes. I think gopro suppose to be sorting that one out, maybe making flat lenses for them. i was gonna buy one but then read that stuff somewhere..they need to sort that one out

 

[monkeyhatfork]

is the underwater footage with HD still better than the underwater footage with the original go-pro? Can you post a video example? I was thinking of getting the hd version because I love the standard go-pro but I might hold of now.

 

[LunkerBuster]

I recently purchased on of the HD's and I tell you it is Dr Jeckyl and my Hyde...on dry land I am speilberg and underwater i feel like the lens is dirty.

for comparison, i think my fuji f70 in a waterproof bag shoots clearer video underwater...and the wide angle lens makes all the objects seem impossibly far away

to be clear i love the camera and will be keeping it, but until they come out with a better housing, it is not going to work for diving. Shame too, it is so close to being perfect


Monkey- the video is clearer than the standard GoPro, but that is the problem, the finer resolution reveals how much the case is distorting the image. They even told me by email that the issue was not as present in the regular GoPro because of the HD.

 

[dforcucci]

I just ordered my GoPro HD with the hope of getting it to work underwater. I am hoping there is enough room in the housing for a diopter lens? Try a +3. It should be between a +2 and +4 somewhere. Let me know how you make out.

 

[Anders]

[ame="http://spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=102538"]This thread[/ame] on Spearboard may have found a way around the GoPro focusing issues...
Basically, you use epoxy to glue on a second lens on the outside of the GoPro housing. It can be done by gluing a short length of piping onto the gopro housing and then gluing a flat lens onto the piping. I presume the pipe is to get the new lens far enough out from the housing so that it does not touch the first lens, but you don't want to make it any longer than necessary; then the pipe will show on the videos.
In the the same thread someone posted pool tests and it seemed to work fine. I haven't seen any tests in the deep though. When someone figures out if that works I think I'll buy a GoPro.

 

[LunkerBuster]

been watching it very closely..hopefull there will be a simple and cost effective way to sharpen it up

 

[dforcucci]

I have a nice solution for installing a flat lens on the housing. It sharpened the image perfectly and the only down side is black corners in photos and the top of the 960 video which is due to the O-ring seal. The modification allows for replacing the original dome port if needed.

 

[Camanche killer]

Hi I have the same problem, what lens did you use?? Also where can I get one??

Regards Kev

 

[dforcucci]

Made it myself....
I can give you a parts list if you want and what you need to make it. Very inexpensive < $10 for the parts and easy to put together. No mods to the housing, only have to remove the existing dome port and replace it with the flat port. You can go back to the dome port anytime too....
Dave

 

[monkeyhatfork]

yes, parts list would be great- is that a piece of plexi glass for the flat lense.

 

[seek]

hi i am also interested in how to make the flat lense

 

[Camanche killer]

yes this is a major balls up by go pro can't believe they would release the camera without sufficient testing! Anyways eagerly awaiting parts and guide list if possible.

 

[dforcucci]

Gopro never intended this for underwater use. We get to take advantage of their great lens though with a few mods. And hopefully they will release a flat port soon.

 

[dforcucci]

Parts list

6x Mach Screw, Stainless, Pan, 0-80 x 3/8 L (5/16L might work better if you find them) I got mine at Ace Hardware for about $1.50. Here is a Grainger link
Mach Screw, Pan, 0-80 x 3/8 L, PK 100 - Machine Screws - Screws - Fasteners : Grainger Industrial Supply

.093 In. x 11 In. X 14 In.Acrylic Sheet 11x14 sheet is $3.50 at home depot
OPTIX .093 In. x 11 In. X 14 In.Acrylic Sheet - 1AU0515A at The Home Depot

1- O-ring 4.5x20mm. Mine is Nitrile (N70). I got this at a local shop here that gave me a sample.

6x 2mm thickness washers for the screws since they are a little long. Again 5/16L may work without a spacer washer on the outside of the port.

Cut a disk from the acrylic sheet and drill the 6 holes for the screws. You can use the black ring from the original housing as a guide.

Take off the original lens and gasket. Replace the gasket with the 4.5mm oring and lay the flat port on top and screw down to where the lens of the camera is not compressed by the flat port.

There are variations of this that could probably remove the o-ring from getting in the picture, but this is a robust seal. The only thing you will have to be cautious of is at depth the o-ring may compress and press against the lens. I plan to put some spacers between the port and the housing to keep if from compressing more.

Here are some photos of the latest prototype.
Dave

 

[Camanche killer]

good stuff gonna go shopping soon!



Why did go pro make a camera waterproof to 60m if they didn't intend for it to film under water

 

[flysteadicam]

Hi,

as there is common problem on the Hero HD in underwater use I did some research on that. As I do a lot of camera work for TV I´m in that topic for a while.

The focus fix versions I could find in the internet do work, but they do not look nice and so they do not satisfy me. I´m currently workin on a machine made lens as replacement for the dome port in the gopro housing. I already have a prototype and right know I´m checking how to build this lens in series.

The replacement is as simple as it can be. Just unscrew the screws in the black ring, holding the dome. Replace the dome with the flat lens and you are there. You can also get a second housing for underwater use.

I do not know a price for that lens know. This also depends a bit on the intrest in people buying it. So if anyone is interrested in that lens please let me know. I will collect this and get a price set, so that I might be able to ship that lens soon.

To get you an idea what I´m talking about please take a look at the attached movie.

best regards

Patrick

 

[dforcucci]

Patrick,
Did not see a link to the movie.
I am interested in your lens.
Dave

 

[Camanche killer]

Patrick deffo interested in your lens