QUICKSTART GUIDE

IMPORTANT: Do not bend or kink the ribbon at sharp angles. Ripcord cameras are not waterproof. WiFi / GPS not available.

Before adding a lens for the first time please unscrew and remove the included extension tube and protective cap. The extension tube may be useful for some lenses but in most cases is not required.

USB POWER REQUIREMENTS

In order to make the Ripcord II’s body as thin and light as possible the battery and Wifi/GPS board have been removed. Your camera must be operated using USB-C power only. A USB power supply with a minimum of 5V 1A is required to operate the camera, however we strongly recommend using a USB power supply with 5V 2.1A or higher for reliable operation.

USING THE CAMERA FOR THE FIRST TIME

Your camera ships with an M12 extension tube and plastic cap screwed into the lens socket to keep the image sensor clean and protected. Simply unscrew to remove. The extension tube can be used with some M12 lenses but in most cases is not required. If you don’t wish to use the included tripod mount it can easily be removed and re-attached using the large Allen key supplied.

Install / Remove the IR-Cut Filter

The Ripcord II camera comes configured as an M12 mount without the IR-Cut filter in place. Most M12 lenses have an integrated IR-Cut filter but it might need to be installed in some cases. 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.

M12-Mount

  • Remove the M12 mount from the sensor housing using the large L-Key.
  • Insert a rubber O-Ring into the socket on the rear of the M12 mount.
  • Take one of the supplied IR-Cut filters out of its sleeve. Handle it by the edges to keep it clean. Drop it into the socket on top of the O-Ring.
  • Move the sensor housing into place down onto the M12 mount and re-attach using the large L-Key.
  • To remove the filter, remove the M12 mount and drop the filter back into its supplied envelope.

CS/C-Mount

  • Remove the M12 mount from the sensor housing using the large L-Key.
  • Connect the included CS-Mount using the long silver screws provided.
  • Insert a rubber O-Ring into the socket on the front and push it all the way to the bottom using the supplied black plastic spudger tool (located in package lid).
  • Take one of the supplied IR-Cut filters out of its sleeve. Handle it by the edges to keep it clean. Drop it into the socket on top of the O-Ring.
  • Add a second O-Ring on top of the filter to hold it in place. Use the included plastic spudger tool if required.
  • To remove the filter, use the pointy end of the supplied plastic spudger tool to pop out the O-Ring on top. Drop the filter back into its supplied envelope.

Adding CS & C-Mount Lenses

  • For normal color make sure the IR-Cut filter is installed.
  • Replace the M12 mount with the CS-Mount supplied.
  • For C-Mount lenses add the 5mm spacer ring, for CS-Mount lenses remove it.
  • Focus the lens as desired using the rear display or an external HDMI monitor.
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.
Pro Tip: visit www.back-bone.ca/shop for a wide selection of lens adapters

Changing the Tripod Mount Orientation

The sensor housing’s tripod mount can be removed if desired, or attached to the left or right side for added mounting flexibility.

Mounting M12 Lenses

Your camera comes with a dedicated M12 mount installed, however you can also use the included CS-Mount + M12 to CS adapter if needed. The original GoPro lens is also included with a special CS-Mount adapter. Please Note: Do not use any other lenses with the GoPro lens adapter or you may damage the threads. The GoPro lens adapter has text on the backside that identifies it. The GoPro lens will not thread into a standard M12 socket.

  • Remove the C-Mount ring and IR-cut filter if present.
  • (CS-Mount only) Screw the M12 to CS adapter ring onto the camera (yellow baggie)
  • Add the small black locking ring to your lens.
  • Screw the lens into the adapter until sharply in focus.
  • Tighten the locking ring against the camera to lock the lens in place.
  • The dedicated M12 mount also has a nylon tipped set screw that can be tightened with the smallest L-Key to fix the lens in place once focused.
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

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.
  • If you have a 4K TV switch your camera to 4K while focusing for the sharpest image.

Focusing Entaniya 220°, 250° and 280° Lenses

Entaniya lenses can be installed using the Ripcord M12 mounts, however we recommend using the included CS-Mount with Entaniya’s lens mount for the most secure setup. If the 5mm C-Mount ring is on the camera, remove it. Also, remove the IR-Cut filter if present. 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 orange mount. We recommend attaching your camera to a high-res HDMI screen to set your focus. Once the image is perfectly sharp fix the lens in place by tightening the set screws around the perimeter.

The video below shows the process using one of our H5PRO cameras which has a similar CS-Mount / C-Mount configuration.

Troubleshooting: 

My camera turns off after just a few seconds! Use the small button to power on the camera instead of the large one. Quick capture is triggered by default when you hit the large button so it will try and record. If no SD card is found it will simply turn off.
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.
I can’t connect to the camera using the GoPro App: As described on the product page, the WiFi/GPS module has been removed from the camera in order to make it as small as possible. Therefor the app and wireless remote will not function.
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. It comes mounted on the camera with a plastic cap screwed into it.
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 GoPro 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.
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.

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.

Support

Got a question about your 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