H5M12 GUIDE

Adding M12 Lenses

To add lenses to your camera we recommend using the locking rings and focus adjustment rings that are included. Get the blue baggie from your package. Inside you will find a small black metal locking ring, a small black rubber gasket and 5 red rings. The red rings range in size from 1mm thickness to 3mm. Also included are a larger locking ring and two foam rubber pads that are discussed in the next section.

The rings can be used in different combinations to fine tune your fit and focus. Usually you will only need to use the small black rubber gasket in combination with one of the red rings. The small locking ring can be used for lenses that have a long barrel.

1. Add the small black rubber gasket to the open socket of the camera.
2. Add the locking ring to the lens (if required)
3. Add the appropriate red ring(s) to the barrel of your lens
4. Thread it into the camera until snug and sharply in focus.

We recommend using an HDMI screen when setting your focus and then verify by viewing some 12MP stills to make sure it’s perfect. The lens should be snug but not loose. If you require a more secure fit simply use a slightly thicker combination of rings.

Large Locking Ring Method

Included in the blue bag is a large, flat metal locking ring. This can be used for larger M12 lenses that stick out from the camera. Place the locking ring on the front of the camera and thread your lens through it. Align it so that the lens can pass through it and easily screw in to the threaded socket behind. Once your lens is sharply in focus simply tighten the locking ring against the camera to fix the lens in place.

Focusing Entaniya 220°, 250° and 280° Lenses

These lenses are focused with the gasket and red O-rings described in the previous section, however one extra ring is recommended. The blue baggie also contains two large foam rubber pads. Place the small black rubber gasket in the lens socket on the camera and place one of the foam rubber pads on top. Add the appropriate red ring to the lens and thread it into the camera until sharply focused and snug against the foam rubber pad.

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Using the original Hero5 lens

Take the white baggy found inside the camera case. Inside you will find the lens, a plastic mounting ring and a black metal ‘key’. Take the plastic ring and align it to the top of the camera’s threaded lens mount. Take the ‘key’ and align it with the small channels on the top of the plastic ring. Use a coin to screw it snugly into the opening by turning it COUNTER CLOCKWISE (to the left). Now add your GoPro Hero5 lens and turn it to the right until sharply focused. To remove unscrew the lens and then use the key to remove the plastic ring by turning it CLOCKWISE (to the right). Note: because these parts have plastic threads make sure everything is clean and properly aligned before threading them together to keep the threads from being damaged. If used frequently the mounting ring will need a replacement. Replacements can be purchased at www.back-bone.ca/shop

TIPS

• If using a small locking ring always place it on the lens first with the other rings behind it.
• If your lens feels a little loose inside the camera, try wrapping a layer of Teflon tape around it. That will ensure a snug fit so that the lens is perfectly aligned with the image sensor. Teflon tape is cheap and readily available in the plumbing section of any hardware store.
• Keep an air puffer and microfiber cleaning cloth in your shooting kit so you can blow debris out of the camera if needed and keep your lenses crystal clean.
• If you have a 4K TV switch your camera to 4K while focusing for the sharpest image.

Troubleshooting: 

My camera turns off after just a few seconds! Use the side button to power on the camera instead if the top. Quick capture is triggered by default when you hit the top button so it will try and record. If no SD card is found it will simply turn off. Read the included Hero5 manual for more information.

My footage looks pink! Most M12 lenses have a small pink/green filter on the back called an IR-Cut which prevents infrared light from reaching the sensor. If your footage looks pink this filter is likely missing, or you are using an ‘IR corrected’ lens which is designed for full spectrum & IR imaging.

Dark spots in footage: Your image sensor needs to be cleaned. Using an air puffer is usually enough to blow away any small particles that might have gotten on the sensor. A LensPen MiniPro is also a great tool for cleaning the small GoPro sensor. Also verify that there is no dust or debris on the back of the lens.

Images are blurry on one side: Likely your lens is not perfectly aligned with the image sensor. Some lenses have looser thread engagement than others which may cause a slight tilt. Try adding a layer of Teflon tape to the lens barrel as outlined in the tips.

When I shoot footage for 360 video, the image circle keeps moving around: When shooting content from circular fisheye lenses for stitching in 360 video software, make sure the image stabilization feature is turned off.