17Nov GoPro Underwater BlurFix Flat Lens Kit
Stock GoPro HD Housing – click for larger view
BlurFix Flat Lens Housing – click for larger view
The more we play with the GoProHD Hero2, the more we can see the difference in quality compared to the previous version. The higher quality and new options to change field of view also help make the HD Hero 2 a stand out sports camera. There is still one thing that falls short in quality and it’s the underwater footage due to the stock curved lens cover. Above are a few video frame grabs of what you’re images will look like with a stock GoPro HD Housing and one using a flat lens housing. In this case we’re testing the BlurFix Flat Lens Kit from Snake River Protoyping. Needless to say, if you plan to take your GoProHD underwater you should look into the many options for flat lens housings. Check out the video below to see some of the FOV options with and without the BlurFix, and also a comparison of image quality underwater.
[Anyone catch the T-Shirt Olivia was wearing?] Unlike other flat lens kits, the Blurfix design uses a threaded filter. This means you can also use color correction filters to remove the blue color cast underwater (since the GoPro doesn’t have white balance settings). Some of those filter options are available over at the Snake River Prototyping website.
You can find the new GoPro HD Hero2
GoPro Camera HD HERO2 Edition
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November 17th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
I’ve had the Eye4Mine flat housing since early this year, and it’s a big difference with it. Video is clearer, and the housing is a cheap investment. Just be careful with the flat housings – a lot of people report that they scratch very easily.
November 17th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
too bad GoPro didnt think of this at all in the past years.. and release a more affordable solution to the blurry underwater problem
November 17th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
@DavidN4 – Yes, the only real reason is to use it underwater. One benefit to the SRP BlurFix is that you can unscrew the lens and replace if needed. The EyeOfMine is a more permanent solution that can’t be addressed if the lens is scratched. Also the EyeOfMine does not allow a colored threaded filter to be used. Both work great underwater though compared to stock housing.
November 17th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
where can I buy a cheesy cam shirt? I want one!
November 17th, 2011 at 7:32 pm
@Omar – I think we all went through 10 different types of shirts to find what we thought was the best quality. They’ll be a few available maybe in the next week.
November 18th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
@Emm – thanks for the info. I’m excited! I really liked the one she was wearing, but if you guys have something better I’ll just get that one. You guys rock, so I gotta rep cheesy cam!
November 18th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Bought my original GoPro mostly to shoot some underwater vacation footage. Needless to say, I was quite disappointed when I saw the results. When the Hero2came out, I was excited to see they had resolved the round lens/flat lens issue – or so I thought, based on the new promo video with the Great White shark footage. VERY misleading and/or deceptive.
November 25th, 2011 at 8:16 am
40 meters [130ft] versus 60 meters [197ft] with original housing. That is strong disadvantage. Too bad it’s not made from thicker glass to keep 60m underwater but the quality difference is massive.
November 28th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
@Marooned
Well seeing as the average diver is only certified to dive 60ft or less and that visibility drops exponentially after that, 130ft is more than enough. I sadly ran into all of this after a diving vacation only to come back with blurry footage. However all of this footage looks great. I’m really excited to give it a try.
November 29th, 2011 at 1:15 am
@chris allen
I agree that visibility drops but when I’m diving I usually spent some time in the shallow water (0..20m) and some time in deeper (20..50m). It does not mean I’ll record all the time but it would be nice not to worry about the camera while diving deeper.
But yeah, for casual diver 40m should be enough.
December 2nd, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Emm, check out these videos using the BlurFix and Circular Polarizing filter for topside use as well as underwater. Thanks for posting your reviews, we appreciate all your reviews!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=H5XTE7kGlfMblurfix polarizing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Dr-xV33zNBQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Ezyf_dcqLjI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=18_usabPWzs
April 21st, 2012 at 1:51 pm
What type of monopod is that? Is it one of those extendable painter’s pole?
December 15th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Is there one for go pro hero 3
December 15th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
And where could I get it
December 15th, 2012 at 8:13 pm
@Peter – The GoPro Hero 3 has a flat lens already, but there are additional filters sold at http://snakeriverprototyping.com