Backscatter +15 Macromate Mini Macro Lens

[ScottsdaleSteve]

So I'm thinking about adding this rig to my GoPro so I can video the occasional macro critter:

My concerns are:
1) I've read that the lens is very heavy. I'm worried about it flopping around/getting in the way/getting damaged.
2) The depth of field is very narrow, so you have to get the distance "just right". My eyes won't let me use the viewfinder to determine sharpness, so I have to guess on distance.

Anybody have any thoughts? Positive or Negative experiences?

 

[Johncn]

Hi,

We had the same concerns.

The lense swings out and “locks” in position open. It doesn’t flop around, but you do need to be aware of your movements. If it gets knocked out of position, it doesn’t hit my anything.

Focusing / depth of field takes a little practice. There is a gauge they send you on paper. We just measured the distance and put a piece of duct tape on our our “pokey sticks” to remind us he proper distance for our lens. It really helps! After a while, you get used to it and don’t need to rely on the stick. We always take a few shots a little closer and a little further back to give us some coverage in case the critter is moving fast or we are bothe moving.

Remember that it does not duplicate the quality of the very expensive camera rigs your fellow divers are lovingly lugging around…but we got some good use out of ours. Recommended. Great customer support, too.

 

[Ez E]

It is heavy. We are talking probably a 1/4” thick piece of quality glass. Mine did occasionally move out of its locked position and flop around while diving in Aruba. I had my GoPro on a hand stick with a retention strap on my wrist. It never got damaged though.

Also as far as its “range”. They give you this little plastic template you can use to determine the acceptable range. Once you get the feel for its range you dont need the template anymore.

 

[carono6333]

So I'm thinking about adding this rig to my GoPro so I can video the occasional macro critter:
View attachment 841023

My concerns are:
1) I've read that the lens is very heavy. I'm worried about it flopping around/getting in the way/getting damaged.
2) The depth of field is very narrow, so you have to get the distance "just right". My eyes won't let me use the viewfinder to determine sharpness, so I have to guess on distance.

Anybody have any thoughts? Positive or Negative experiences?

I have good experience with this. I don't find it excessively heavy. It also locks into place (open or closed) so no swinging around. Yes, a shallow depth of field but show me a macro lens that doesn't. You get the hang of it eventually. It comes with a little plastic measuring stick, which is handy until you're confident to do without. It is good for nudis but you won't get good shots of the really tiny stuff.

 

[MikeHoncho]

I just bought this with the two filters and lens (Flip 12) I find it hard to tell the difference between the two filters (color/tint wise) other than the labeling on them. I removed the deep filter and installed the lens. I found the filters too red for PNW waters. I need a "greenwater filter" which is magenta and the same color as my previous filter. These are not available yet from BS. If you are depending on the filter and your water is "green" I'd consider something else until they come out with the correct filter. I didn't get enough experience with the lens to give valid input on it.