A note on using the GoPro cameras undwerwater.

[AptaMer]

In a previous thread Raina and some others mentioned how they often get blurry photos underwater with their GoPro cameras, so I thought I'd mention a problem the GoPro underwater housing has, and how people fix it.

The problem is that GoPro uses a curved polycarbonate cover on the front of their housing. It's very resistant to pressure changes, even though it's thin and lightweight (and low-cost, which may be the reason GoPro decided to go with it).

The problem is it results in aberrations where only the very centre part of the image can be in good focus, or the outside, but not both at the same time.

All the local divers I know who use the GoPro have ended up taking the front piece out of their housing and installing one of the aftermarket housing lenses that fix the problem.

Here are some pages describing how to fix it.

http://hackaday.com/2014/05/11/underwater-gopro-hero-2-sees-clearly-again/

http://www.eyeofmineactioncameras.com/category_s/1834.htm

https://forums.deeperblue.com/threads/gopro-underwater-focus-problem-fixed.89439/

There are many suppliers you can find who will either sell you the front element to install yourself- or will install it for you. Just do a search on "gopro underwater lens fix" or some such and a bunch of them will pop up.

FWIW- I decided against getting the GoPro and just got a housing for my regular Canon PowerShot camera, since the housing cost less than a GoPro + underwater case + lens fix.

I got the housing on eBay for only $120.

Note added: Thank you to Mermaid Melanie for pointing out that GoPro finally fixed the underwater focus problem. The notes above only apply to the Hero2 and earlier models. With the Hero3, and newer models, make sure you get their flat-focus "dive housing" and you'll be OK

[Mermaid Melanie]

What model of GoPro are you talking about ? I have the Hero3 Black and its a flat fronted housing lens that came standard and I've never come across this issue ?

[AptaMer]

Ahh, yes, GoPro has fixed the problem as of the Hero 3, 3+ & 4, by releasing a flat-lens housing that they call the "dive" housing. You probably got that one?

http://shop.gopro.com/accessories/dive-housing-%E2%80%93-197-60m/AHDEH-301.html

Anyone buying a new GoPro should get it with the dive housing.

[H-SAMA]

I wished I had seen this post on December when I got my gopro.
I definitely and NOT happy with it and I don't see why people would get it. It was a terrible mistake. Get a housing

[H-SAMA]

I have the 4 and still not that good.

[AniaR]

I have hero 3+ and still have the issue. Its just not a fast enough shutter for underwater. They're meant for video. No good at photos

[H-SAMA]

I have hero 3+ and still have the issue. Its just not a fast enough shutter for underwater. They're meant for video. No good at photos
And do you like how it records?

[AniaR]

Its not really all that different honestly. Its the attachments and battery life that are great. Ours was a gift

[Mermaid Melanie]

Wow Im shocked you guys don't rate it much - I've done a bunch of u/w videos with mine and its worked perfectly !

[AniaR]

Its just no different really than my cheaper camera.

[H-SAMA]

I think the battery sux. They probably got you a better battery.

[AniaR]

like I said earlier, the gopro battery is better, yes. I just dont find the video quality any different

[Merfin_Aurora_Oceania]

Thanks Apta, I was deciding on which underwater camera to considering purchasing, this has been appreciated.

Thank you.

[Winged Mermaid]

If you want to take underwater photos you have to be STILL or in very good lighting (outdoors with bright sun) for the photos to turn out. Indoor pools or other low lighting, move and all photos will be blurry. Apparently even with high shutter speed- which the newer models have (mine doesn't). Love it for video though!

As for batteries, I got the wasabi package on amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Wasabi-Power-AHDBT-201-AHDBT-301-AHDBT-302/dp/B00AAIPT76) and the batteries are just as good if not better than GoPro's, and it comes with a wall and car charger.

[Echidna]

There is this thing with cameras.

My father bought himself a super expensive uberpro camera, but the pics don't turn out any better than those I take with my cheap digital dummy camera.
The only difference is when a special format is needed which the cheap cam cannot do, but otherwise?

Cheap cameras work just the same.

[AniaR]

Yeah raw format

[Mermaid Melanie]

Ah yeah maybe because Im usually in really clear water out in strong sun helps? I don't use it for pictures mind you, I do agree on that point that its not great for stills ! David uses an Olympus TG3 for our U/W photos and I must say its a great camera, however some of our friends ( other instructors ) use the same camera and they don't get anywhere near the same results, a lot of it has to do with using the right settings and post production.

[MermanOliver]

Yes, lots of light definitely helps. Did some above-water experiments with my gopro, and the images are a lot better in sunny conditions than in the murky grey light we get here most of the time. Post production helps, but the more light and the clearer the water, the better the pictures.
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[Mermaid Wesley]

That makes sense. I had some video in an indoor pool and it was pretty unfocused/grainy, but there wasn't any light. ive seen good gopro footage so i was confused

[Mermatron Athena]

The best way to fix the clarity of the GoPro for under water vid and pic that I have found is to get a tinted camera lens or "gel". A cheap one can be made by cutting light pink- dark orange plastic film like used to wrap Easter baskets and placing it between the lens and the housing. Depending on the color of the water you are shooting through, you can change the color of the plastic film. Colors, especially the blues and greens, will appear more vibrant with the use of a lens or plastic film, and skin will once again look flesh toned.

[AniaR]

But that doesn't work until you go pretty far down.

[Mermatron Athena]

I find it makes a difference in our pool, it's not super long and only 5.5' deep. Low chlorine salt water pool and painted white, and the pool guy comes every couple days. It's a very blue pool, not at all green and I find it really helps.

[Mermaid Galene]

I bought an inexpensive UV filter for my GoPro Hero 3+, and it made a huge difference in the quality of my underwater footage, even when filming in my seahorse tanks.

[AptaMer]

The best way to fix the clarity of the GoPro for under water vid and pic that I have found is to get a tinted camera lens or "gel". A cheap one can be made by cutting light pink- dark orange plastic film like used to wrap Easter baskets and placing it between the lens and the housing. Depending on the color of the water you are shooting through, you can change the color of the plastic film. Colors, especially the blues and greens, will appear more vibrant with the use of a lens or plastic film, and skin will once again look flesh toned.

Hey AthenaDove, yes, corrective filers that cut out the blue will restore the colour balance of photos underwater so they look more like we see underwater. Also, if you are shooting in waters turned greenish by algae, you can go with a purple filter that restores both the yellow & reds absorbed by the water and the blues absobed by the algae.

There are some companies selling pop-on filters for the GoPro for restoring colours, e.g. http://polarprofilters.com/shop/GoProREDFilterPack

[AniaR]

...which I own and have referenced twice now... And you have to be deep for them to work. Otherwise everything is all red etc.