thin air - Sonthofen

Tulum - thin air

CamOne focus adjustment -vs- DiveBox lens replacement

[1] CamOne focus adjustment

By rotating the CamOne's optics about a quarter turn counter-clockwise it's possible to shoot underwater with the original DiveBox.

⊕ all modes can be used, e.g. 127° 1080p, 170° 720p & 4:3 photo

⊕ best possible IQ, if you find out the optimal focus adjustment

⊕ no extra costs

⊗ either sharp above or below water, i.e. mixed footage is not possible without changing the camera's focus

⊗ changing the focus requires fiddling with two tiny screws, which is rather impractical on the go, meaning one has to decide beforehand what shots are wanted

[2] DiveBox lens replacement

Though not yet available for purchase at the time of writing, I assume aquapixs will eventually commercially produce flat lenses to replace the CamOne infinity DiveBox's domed lens, if demand is there. The two flat lenses I got were prototypes to be tried at my own risk. I chose to buy a second DiveBox for this DIY modification.

⊕ both above and below water filming is possible in Full HD

⊕ no need to change the CamOne's factory set focus

⊗ only useable for 127° 1080p video, due to heavy vignetting in 170° 720p and photo modes

⊗ putting a wide angle behind a flat lens causes corner softness

⊗ somewhat narrower FOV due to refraction

⊗ replacing the DiveBox's lens implies modifying it, which should not be done too often, as the metal screws holding the lens in place would eventually wear out the threads of the plastic housing, and of course this solution requires at least one check dive to verify waterproofness, but that should be standard procedure anyways

⊗ additional costs for the flat lens and optionally a second DiveBox

Sun, sea, sand

One more time

For my last dive I wished for the moon. So naturally that's where we went, Richie leading me of course to its dark side, jumping right off the cavern line, then left, then right at the first T, turning around after 54' at a second T. Truly an amazing cave, with magnificent classical formations, low ceilinged passages, otherworldly strangely colored decorations, eroded tunnels and even a couple of old bones.