INSTA360 ONE R (4K)
INSTALLATION AND USAGE GUIDE

IMPORTANT: Insta360 ONE R modules are not waterproof after modification.

Install / Remove the IR-Cut Filter

The IR-Cut filter blocks infrared light so that your images have normal color and is recommended for use with CS, C-Mount and most other lens types. It’s recommended that you use it at all times unless shooting in infrared. You may wish to remove it in order to clean, switch filter types or use wide angle M12 lenses that already have an integrated IR-Cut filter. A spare filter is located in the red baggie supplied in the kit. Replacement filters are available in the accessories section of our shop.

  • Use a small tool to gently pop out the o-ring holding the filter in place
  • Turn the camera over and drop the filter into a microfiber cloth
  • If required, clean the sensor. We recommend using a Lenspen MiniPro followed by an air puffer. You can also use some lens spray and a microfiber cloth followed by a puffer. The same tools can be used to clean the filter itself.
  • Hold the filter by the edges. With the camera at a 45 degree angle gently drop the filter into the socket. Take care not to drop the filter edge first onto the sensor.
  • Replace the o-ring using a small tool. The thick o-ring has the most secure fit but it might prevent some M12 lenses (such as the original Insta360 4K lens) from focusing. You can optionally us the thinner o-ring in that case.

Preparing the Original Lens

If you’d like to use the original Insta360 ONE R 4K lens with your new modified camera module, you will first need to remove it from its mount. The easiest method is to use a pair of vice grips to hold the lens mount. Wrap some rubber or other protective material around the lens and then use a wrench to grip and turn the lens counterclockwise. In the video below we use a small section of plastic tubing.

You will need to remove the filter gasket from the camera as it’s too thick to allow the stock lens to focus. You can replace it with the thinner gasket provided in the red baggie. Focus the lens by turning it into the camera until sharp. It will come into slight contact with the thin filter gasket. The small amount of compression will allow the focus to stay locked. Shoot a few test photos and view them on a computer or phone to ensure the focus is perfect.

Adding CS & C-Mount Lenses

  • For normal color make sure the IR-Cut filter is installed
  • For C-Mount lenses add the 5mm spacer ring, for CS-Mount lenses remove it
  • If using the Insta360 frame mount, insert the camera into the frame before adding a lens
  • Focus the lens as desired using the rear display or smartphone app

Pro Tip: Most CS & C-Mount lenses perform best between f4 and f8. Shoot with the iris wide open for soft focused backgrounds in your close-ups. Shoot with the iris closed down for sharp far shots.

Using Lens Adapters

If using C-Mount adapters to mount other lens types on your camera, make sure the 5mm C-Mount spacer is attached and the IR-Cut filter is installed.

CROP FACTOR INFORMATION

Lenses designed for larger sensors or film formats will appear somewhat magnified when used with the smaller 1/2.3″ Insta360 4K sensor. Here are the focal length multipliers for several popular lens types.
  • 1/2.3″ M12 – 1.0x
  • 1/2″ C-Mount / M12 – 1.02x
  • 1/1.8″ C-Mount / M12 – 1.15x
  • 2/3” C-Mount – 1.41x
  • 16mm (Bolex) – 1.63x
  • Super 16 – 1.86x
  • 1” C-Mount – 2.05x
  • 1.1” C-Mount – 2.18x
  • APS-C – 3.42x
  • DX – 3.64x
  • APS-H – 4.42x
  • 35mm (Full Frame) – 5.54x

For more information on crop factors please visit this page.

Pro Tip: visit www.back-bone.ca/shop for a wide selection of lens adapters

Support

Got a question about your modification project? Get up and running with our help! Take a look at our Troubleshooting Guide or FAQ for some solutions to common problems, if the answer isn’t there drop us a line.

For more help with our product please visit www.back-bone.ca/support or email us

support@back-bone.ca

Using The Optional Tripod Mount

Attaching Back-Bone’s tripod mount to the Insta360 ONE R camera is a simple process. Simply loosen the thumbscrew on the back and line the mount up with the mounting holes on the top of the camera module. Squeeze the top and bottom together and tighten the screw. Use a coin to make sure it’s nice and tight!

NOTE: The Back-Bone tripod mount for Insta360 ONE R is not compatible with the 360 VR module.

Mounting M12 Lenses

  • Remove the C-Mount ring
  • Screw the M12 to CS adapter ring onto the camera (Yellow Bag).
  • Gently screw in your lens and check to see if it will focus. If it stops turning before it’s sharp you will need to remove the IR-Cut filter from the camera. Take the lens back out.
  • Thread the small black locking ring onto your lens.
  • Screw the lens into the adapter until sharply in focus.
  • Tighten the locking ring against the adapter to lock the lens in place.
  • You can also tighten the locking ring against the orange O-ring if desired.

Pro Tip: Get extra M12 adapters so you have one for each of your M12’s. Once you have them set up and locked in place in the adapter ring you can perform quick lens changes on the fly! Extra adapters are available at www.back-bone.ca/shop

Using Entaniya 220°, 250° and 280° Lenses

If the 5mm C-Mount ring is on the camera, remove it. Also, remove the IR-Cut filter and gasket. Add 4 or 5 of the set screws to the outside of the red mounting ring supplied with your lens. The black mounting ring that comes with the lens is for Hero4 Ribcage mods and is not required. Screw the red mount onto the camera until snug. Add a layer of Teflon tape to the barrel of the lens and thread it into the red mount. We recommend double tapping the screen to zoom in to set your focus. Once the image is perfectly sharp fix the lens in place by tightening the set screws around the perimeter. Test your focus by snapping some photos and view them at 1:1 on a computer screen.

TIPS

  • If your M12 lens feels a little loose inside the adapter, 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.
  • Double tap the screen to zoom in for more accurate focus, or use the smartphone app.

Troubleshooting: 

My footage looks pink! You need to install the supplied IR-Cut filter which prevents infra-red light from reaching the sensor. If your footage looks pink this filter is likely missing, or you are using an ‘IR corrected’ M12 lens which is designed for full spectrum & IR imaging. Most M12 lenses have the filter installed on the back but for CS, C-Mount and other lens types you will need to add it for normal use.
My C-Mount lens won’t focus!: This usually means that you simply need to add the supplied 5mm C-Mount spacer ring to the camera before adding your lens.
Dark spots in footage, especially when iris is closed down: Your image sensor or filter 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 1/2.3″ sensor. Also verify that there is no dust or debris on the back of the lens.
Images are blurry on one side with M12’s: Likely your lens is not perfectly aligned with the image sensor. Some lenses have looser thread engagement than others which may cause a very slight tilt. Try adding a layer of Teflon tape to the lens barrel before adding it to the adapter ring as outlined in the tips. Also make sure that the image sensor was properly aligned during the conversion.
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 Flowstate stabilization feature is turned off in post.
The screen is small, how do I focus?: Double tap the screen to zoom in for more accurate focus. You can also use the Insta360 smartphone app for a larger view of the action.

NOTE: We’ve done our best to accommodate the vast majority of M12, CS and C-Mount lenses on the market, however there will be some designs that aren’t compatible. M12 lenses that are extremely short, have odd shaped barrels or short threads may not work. The lenses at www.back-bone.ca have their compatibility clearly marked. When buying M12 lenses elsewhere look for 1/2.3” or 1/2” lenses that have an IR-cut filter built in for normal color. If you want to perform full spectrum or infra-red imaging look for ‘IR-corrected’ lenses. We recommend 1/2”, 1/1.8” or 2/3” C-Mount lenses with high resolution ‘megapixel’ optics.