DIY macro lens for gopro or intova hd cameras?

[undrwater]

Don't know much about optics, but I've seen DIY macro lenses for digital still cameras. Any thoughts?

[shenzhen]

1
sku_102101_1_small.jpg

2
sku_67302_1_small.jpg

[undrwater]

1
sku_102101_1_small.jpg

2
sku_67302_1_small.jpg

Those look cool, but not like a DIY project. ;-) Do they fit both the GoPro AND the Intova?

[shenzhen]

It's real DIY, so you can fit it everywhere.

Before:
sku_47545_11.jpg

After:
P5080002.jpgP5080006.jpgP5080007.jpg

[DeeperOut]

There is a seller on ebay that sells custom lenses fro the gopro (the actual lens, you swap out the lens on the camera), including macro, this provides the best quality close-up. Dont forget that an add-on lens will lower your cameras light sensitivity by at least one stop (in half) so this does affect the quality of the video once you are deeper... But a good budget solution is to stop by your local camera store, have your gopro running and try out different lenses before you buy. I had and old sony camcorder macro lens that works fine, lower exposition notwithstanding. Unfortunately no model number on it...

[undrwater]

How do they mount? Glue?

[vapourinthesea]

I'm a photographer and have those lenses and would highly recommend NOT getting them. They are cheap universal type that will lower you light sensitivity by at least a stop (not good for underwater) and the optics are horrible and don't give very good pictures. Just my opinion.

[undrwater]

I'm a photographer and have those lenses and would highly recommend NOT getting them. They are cheap universal type that will lower you light sensitivity by at least a stop (not good for underwater) and the optics are horrible and don't give very good pictures. Just my opinion.

Thanks for you opinion. Do you have any alternative ideas? Also, I can understand for photography they might not be good, do you think they might be OK for video? My needs are purely for documentation, I have no interest in becoming a pro, or making my vids look like a pros.

[DeeperOut]

I would suggest you try the addon lenses at the store and see if you like the result. you can even experiment with reading glasses.
check youtube for macro lens gopro

[vapourinthesea]

I would say if you dont mind them (vid or pix) being super great quality, then their ok. But they would be better near the suface in decent vis then a little lower where you start to loose light and sometimes vis. I dont really have any alternative ideas unless they make just that lense for that camera. Otherwise you could try them, just dont expect them to work as well as a dedicated lense for that camera...if your ok with that, then go for it.