Back-Bone's mod kit housing for the GoPro Hero 3+

GoPro is a fine example of one of the better compact action cameras on the market. The small size, minimal cost, durability, and the high resolution of the GoPro Hero 3 and GoPro Hero 3+ make them a versatile tool for capturing action oriented video in hazardous environments, hazardous to cameras at least.

Part of the GoPro's success is based on the camera's modular design. It's easy to swap out a broken lens for a new one when needed. The GoPro Hero 3+ features numerous accessories, housings, and mounts to add additional features to the camera. There is a setback. Some videographers won't use GoPro cameras because of the lens.

The advantage of a GoPro is also its weakness. The size, mountable body, and camera durability allow it to be used anywhere, but in order to do so it features a fixed focus wide angle lens. This means GoPro cameras capture everything before them, but it also generates a distorted image with everything in focus, not a highly cinematic look. The Back-Bone Ribcage for the GoPro Hero 3+ changes that, and brings the functionality of interchangeable lenses to GoPro cameras.

Ribcage Mod Kit for the GoPro Hero 3+

Until now, GoPro cameras were locked into their fixed lens. The Ribcage Mod Kit from Back-Bone is a housing kit for the GoPro Hero3+ that allows videographers to use C-mount lenses with their GoPro camera. With the addition of a lens adapter ring, these mounts will allow the additional use of Canon and Nikon lenses as well. Of course some to the finer optics out there won't possess the same durability as a GoPro camera but the unit will remain small and easy to mount. The benefits of using interchangeable lenses with a GoPro are numerous. There's a reduction in lens distortion, the ability to pull manual focus, and an image with a shallow depth of field if the user desires. The Ribcage Mod Kit will be available in the first quarter of 2014 and is priced at $199.99.

Chris "Ace" Gates is a four time Emmy Award-winning freelance writer and video producer.

 

Chris "Ace" Gates is a four time Emmy Award-winning writer and producer. He is a big fan of animation and transmedia storytelling.