Advice Needed - Gopro Build Versatile Red Filter + Close-up Lens

[aliallo]

Hi there,

I would like to pick your brains on an idea.

Project
I would like to have a GoPro 3+ red filter mount capable to be flexible enough to:
- grab some footage outside the water - without red filter
- take large plans footer at dive levels - with red filter
- take close-ups of marine life - with red filter and macro lens!

All of that without fiddling around with filters underwater. I am nowhere near a professional photographer and I don't plan on using lights at the moment. Just looking to shoot and bring nice memories up to the surface

I am aware that I am describing something very similar to the Polar Pro Switchblade2.0 (link) however I have ruled out this product from what I read from the reviews.

Possible Solutions?
After further research and reading of this forum, my interrogation is which of this following assemblies could possibly work and is the best?

Package 1:
- Flip4 Pro Package (with 3 filters and MacroMate Mini +15) - ($179 - link)
- FLIP4 55mm Threaded DIVE Underwater red filter ($25 - link )

Total: $204
Comments:

• no need for a stackable 55 mm filter as the front of the MacroMate mini is threaded and welcomes an other 55mm filter (source)
• good for macro : the MacroMate mini lens sounds like an excellent macro lens (and I assume very close macro requires lighting so no red filter)

Package 2:
- FLIP4 3 filter kit package - ($99 - link)
- FLIP4 55mm filter holder ($20 - link)
- FLIP4 55mm +10 Close-Up Lens ($20 - link)
- FLIP4 55mm Threaded DIVE Underwater red filter ($25 - link )
- 55mm SRP stackable filter adapter to stack +10 close-up lens with threaded red filter ($21 - link)

Total: $185
Comments:

• Cheapest!
• Not sure about the compatibility between SRP stackable filter and the FLIP4 lenses??

Package 3:
- Flip4 3 filter kit package - ($99 - link)
- Flip4 55mm filter holder ($20 - link)
- 55mm SRP URPro CY filter ($77 - link)
- 55mm SRP Marumi Macro+10 lens ($56 - link)
- 55mm SRP stackable filter adapter to stack Marumi Macro +10 ($21 - link)
- 55mm slip filter ring to allow Marumi Macro to be stacked flat upon Flip4 filter holder - ($7 - link)

Total: $280
Comments:

• Less concerns regarding compatibility
• Not sure about necessity of the 55mm slip filter ring
• Can I switch the 55mm SRP lens by any brand 55mm lens (BackScatter, Magic Filters, etc...)

I got inspired to build up my own red filter+macro lens watching this website selling an assembly with the Backscatter MacroMate Mini + SRP BLURFIX3+55 including the CYD dome filter in the Macro lens (link [FR]).

If you have other package options in mind, please feel free to share


Cheers,
Ali

 

[peterbucknell]

The Backscatter flip filter system works well for all your needs.
You shouldn't need a color filter for macro as there is so little water between the subject and the lens, it's like shooting on land.