Lens Protection Game Changer for the Insta360 X3? Maybe, maybe not...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 พ.ค. 2024
- Ever since I bought my @insta360 X3, I have been looking for a better way to protect the lenses. Someone might have finally figured it out.
PellKing Upgrade Snap Lens Protector ($33) ➡ amzn.to/3puvO5J
Upgrade Lens Guard for Insta360 X3 Protective Cover Case ($30) ➡ amzn.to/42njpim
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I'll do another video where I test their durability (or at least how well they handle basic use), but for now, I'm pretty impressed. The biggest thing to remember is you will always get better footage if you can avoid having the stitch seam where your subject is, regardless of the lens protection.
A durability test would be great. Also reflections/refractory, fogging and possibly some shallow water test too.
@@HawaiiFoodAndFun I have a kayak tour next Saturday in some cold water, so I’ll check it out.
@@MilledgeAustin subbed! Hope it works out
@@MilledgeAustin I just got mine. There is a notable stitch line on regular setting. The lens guard/dive case makes it worse. It looks like it will help on single cam mode tho
@@HawaiiFoodAndFun Did you just get the X3 or this case? I tried it in the water and this case isn't very good, after all.
For the X3 in general, whenever you are in the software, you have to also calibrate the stitch line. I do it every time I import video, whether it's "naked" with no lens guards, the sticky lens guards, or this one. Calibrating helps big time.
Thanks man, you soothed my apprehensions on getting this lens protector. It’s really cool to see a local content creator, I was in shock when I realized you were driving on Walton Way lol.
I will say, I have since found out this case isn’t the best in water, but if you’re just attaching it to a vehicle or using it hiking, walking around, etc., it did well and really did offer better protection for the lenses. And that’s awesome that you’re local, too!
@@MilledgeAustin I work at a sign shop where we do some large and interesting projects, plus I shoot competitively out at Pinetucky. Thanks for all the help.
@@SirTickleTots Very cool. I actually used my X3 for a few timelapses here at Augusta University when we did a renovation to our merch and book store on campus. Was really handy.
Thank you for this most-helpful review. The sticky lenses seemed bad in so many ways. In much of my x3 shooting, I’m not at all concerned about the lenses: quick shots and put away the camera. As I grow to take longer and more challenging shots, potentially with other cameras, too, this is an anxiety-saver. I just ordered one.
As long as you don’t use it in water and are good at using the software to adjust the stick line, this can certainly help (especially for the price). Hopefully that guard serves you well!
Thank you so much I got my camera last minute for a trip and i ended up scratching the lens after 4 days of having it. It fell out of my purse on to the floor, I got the accidental damage insurance so I'm happy about that but when I get my replacement I wanted to make sure I have a lens cover this time so i really appreciate your review
You are welcome. I will say, they’re not the best for many recordings, but they are so easy to snap on for protection and then take off if you choose to go that route.
Great video Milledge!
Wow! Thanks so much for checking it out, Danny.
Thx for the video. It’s very informative. Can you make the selection for the covers in the app or must this function be done on a computer?
Glad you found it informative. Yes, you can adjust and calibrate the stitch in both the phone app (which there is an update to, so that's exciting to see what they have added) as well as the desktop app. I'm just naturally more comfortable with the flow of the desktop app, but I know there are a lot of people who are quicker and better with the phone app.
@@MilledgeAustin thank you very much for answering my question.
Thank you very much for the video. I have a new Hawaii Channel and am looking at picking up the Insta360x3 to really show the beauty of the islands.
I've watched a lot of x3 videos and a screen guard is almost a necessity. Even more so with me since it will be going to a lot of beaches and parks. (Same with you and your kayak videos)
I also wanted to take it on the plane. If I set it up to take 360 footage, can I do a timelapse looking out the window, while catching footage of whats going on in the cabin?
Does the Insta360 transfer the video files to the phone to edit..... or does the editing occur while the file is still in the Insta360. Only asking because of limited phone storage.
I think the X3 will be perfect for you. The cool thing about the 360 timelapse footage is you can indeed set it up to capture outside and inside at the same time. In the desktop app, you can then export just the outside footage and go back in and then export just the inside footage for the same time frame. OR you can pan from outside to inside. It films that in 8K for the whole 360 footage, and you can do a lot of cool things in post. As for transferring, you can export it to your phone if you like through the app, or you can keep it on the micro SD card then edit it using the desktop version of the app. You can also transfer the footage to your cloud account with them. I don’t keep any of the footage on my phone because of storage space, but I have kept all the raw files on my external hard drives.
Fun note, to do starlapses, you have to do that through the mobile app on your phone, but you can export it to the phone then transfer it to your computer. I have my Google Drive account t linked so I can easily take pictures and videos off my phone and put them on my other devices to save space.
Hopefully all of that helped!
@@MilledgeAustin that helps so much. I would like to avoid transferring anything to my phone. And I'll have to look into the starlapse mode. Thanks again! Aloha!
Curious about how much "heat" the dive case might retain. Maybe the water becomes a great heat sink and heat wouldn't be an issue?
Thank you so much for the Lens guard tip. Seems much better than the sticky lens guards. Liked and sub'ed!
I’m working on a video to follow up on this. These are great if you’re not going in the water. They protect the lenses better, for sure, are easy to get on and off, but they’re bulkier and water gets in very easily distorting the footage.
As for the dive case, my guess is what you said. The water helps cool the camera. I would love to get one and test it, but I also don’t snorkel or scuba dive, so I don’t have a big need for it. Would love to scuba dive and do underwater photography, though.
I exactly have the same crack on my sticky lens guard. It easily gets acratched too.
Will it work with the Silicone case on?
They appear to cover the side microphones and have you noticed any sound issues using them?
I know you said you'd do a follow up video, did that drop? I haven't seen it yet. Looking to see what your longer term thoughts are and I know you said you went back to the sticky mounts, I'd love to hear besides just the water performance what sent you back. I haven't used the sticky mounts in water I always assumed it wouldn't work as well.
I haven't had the chance, yet. I got behind on some other projects, but this is still on my radar. I actually have an easy week ahead, so I might try to knock this out this weekend.
How does it effect audio? I use little wind muffles over the two mics on the sides. Will this fit over them? Or would they have to be removed? They’re pretty low profile. But yeah. Curious how the sound is with this protector
Thanks for this vid. Found similar product for the new X4. Even though X4 got lens guards included, I wonder if you can put these on top for extra extra protection lol These lens guards clip ons are glass right? How has it held up? Thanks
Honestly, the X4 has the perfect answer to this problem. With those screw-on lens guards (including the premium any-scratch version), attachments like these become pointless.
I got the same lens guards, and I am very happy with them
They feel safe for my lenses, and they are very easy to use
If you can see the stitch line in your footage, you can easily edit that out
The sticky lenses I never tried because they leave a sticky border around the lenses when you remove them
I want to keep my camera perfect 😁
If the stitch lines appears, who’s do you edit it out?
You can remove the sticky adhesive marks on the camera with a rubber pencil eraser (a clean one!).
Rub it gently around where the sticky adhesive was and voila!
Just throwing this idea out there...I also wrote insta360 about this. Hoping someone smarter than me can figure out the details and let the rest of know how they did it or sell it. How about making a lens film that would be shaped like a contact lens that can be "stuck" to the lens. Like a screen protector for a cell phone, but with a concave surface where it adheres to the lens. This would remove the fogging issue since there is no air between the film and the lens. And when they get scratched they can be removed and replaced.
Oo, I like that idea. I had a Galaxy S9 for a little bit and it had that curved edges, and still someone was bale to come up with a screen protector for that. Surely someone can do it. Sell a 4-pack (1 for each lens and a replacement) and call it a day. Not a bad idea at all.
What would really be nice if there was a device like the clamp on device that you could use the replaceable sticky lens covers on. I am thinking about returning my 360 just for the fact I know it's going to be rendered garbage in no time with no lens protection and the sticky lens covers are a pain and the clamp on at $25 each is really not a viable option as it's not like you are going to be buying just one, sooner or later you will need another one, and another one and so on. Also with the clamp on device there are no soft lens protectors (the neoprene case or silicon cover) that will fit with it installed.
Loved this video, but is there a way to remotely turn the Insta on and off? That would be helpful for motovlogging....
Unfortunately, not. Would love for that to be in a firmware update.
there is, they make a remote for it
Or conect either a mobile phone
So I purchased similar style lens protector except its clear plastic not black on the sides, otherwise looks identical. I get very obvious stitch line which I don't get without the protector. Have tried lens guard mode turned on and off on camera software but doesn't make a difference
What I have found helps somewhat minimize it is calibrating the stitch mode in the app. I think if you use the dive case setting, and then toggle around between the different settings, then hit calibrate, you can make it closer and closer. But yeah, I have noticed some other issues with these that caused me to go back to the sticky lens guards.
Good lens guard however, no good if like me, you have the wind reduction pads attached to the stereo microphones on either side of the X3 body. Thats why I've stuck with the Insta lens protectors.
I have also learned it’s not good for water. It adds protection if you’re accident prone, but won’t protect the screen. And agreed, I have gone back to the sticky lens guards. Been meaning to do that video.
I bought these and have had nothing but trouble.
They constantly fog up instantly when I turn the camera on to use it on my motorbike.
Still hunting for something that won’t fog during use and protect the camera
Where do you live that they instantly fog up and do you give everything a chance to acclimate from being inside to outside? I have only had trouble with these fogging up going from cold water to warm air, but using it driving around in my truck didn’t have that problem.
Can you attach an audio adapter with this on?
I don’t think so, but I’ll have to check it out.
What tripod do you use for your instant 360
I typically use the tripod selfie stick.
So how about the official stick lens protect cover, will it affect the video quality?
Only if it gets a little condensation in there. Going from super cold to super hot did that today on one of mine. Whatever lens cover you get, you have to choose a profile for what you’re using and then calibrate the software in post to account for it.
@@MilledgeAustin Thanks for share !
Any idea if it will fit an X2?
I’m not sure if it will due to the slight size differences from the X3 from the X2, but honestly after further testing I’m starting to find holes (literally) that might not make this as good of an option as originally thought… at least if you plan to use it in a water setting.
I like it but I always keep a cage on my X3 and it would not be compatible
What kind of cage do you use?
Great system , takes away to fiddle around with shady kits from shady produces.
How about bikes that have rollerbrakes?
I like recording myself rollerblading and I find it more enjoyable when the selfie stick is invisible.
Recently, I cracked one of the lenses on X3. Do you have another video for yourself walking around with the selfie stick with the lens guard on?
I really want to ensure the image quality is good before I purchase the Len case.
I have actually moved on from these and back to the sticky lens mounts. For what you're doing, I don't think these would be bad, it just takes some work to get the stitch line to disappear with calibrating in the app. It can certainly be done (just look at the dive housing, and that was the setting I saw the most luck with). Honestly, the sticky lens mounts seem to be the best all-around protection for these lenses.
@@MilledgeAustin thank you for sharing.
I'm not sure if we are looking at the same thing, but I can see the stitch line everywhere.
Does this not cover the speakers?
It covers the mics and does muffle the sound quite a bit.
The con side of it is that it covers all the microphones
I didn't know they made one that could shoot in 3060 degrees too.
😂 I mean, technically you could make the video spin 3060 degrees.
@@MilledgeAustin Yes, but this is a whole new model i didn't know existed!
@@adobo1976 exclusive design.
How was the audio? Looks like it covers the mics
Honestly, the audio is not terrible because there are 3 mics that aren't covered. I will say that it takes some playing to get it to minimize the stitch line, but this thing ended up not being good at all in water.
@@MilledgeAustin i don't do any water recording so i'm good there, but I attach to a motorcycle. Just got the wind muffs Insta offers and they do work. I don't think this cover will allow those though. Did you notice and better or difference with wind noise?
@@bw00d21 I feel like it's mostly the same as stock, nothing on it. I stuck it on a suction cup to the outside of my truck on the hood, on the side, and on the tailgate and the windnoise was still very noticeable. And yeah, I think this would prohibit the windmuffs from going on.
@@MilledgeAustin cool, good to know. Thank you!
That was my only question too. It blocks 2 of the 4 mics ?? It must be a little problem for sure.
I purchased this thing, jesus, the stitch line is horrible, the stick on lens guards are not great, but the stitch line is better. I am sending mine back, the footage looks so bad lol.
I realized I didn't have the stitching set correctly, still looks fairly bad, however, my thought now is to keep them, since I have a similar issue with the stick on style. At least with these, I can remove for certain vids and then stick them on for vids where the stitch line isn't an issue and protect the lenses that way. See how this goes lol.
This are the worst lenses ever. Stitch line is huge on this ones
@@moose3971 It takes a bit to get the stitch line as minimal as possible. I don't have the dive case, but I imagine if someone knows how to get that footage looking good, they can help with settings for this one. But to that I also say that while, yes, you should be able to just point and go, you never want your subject to be on the stitch line, anyway. It always helps to have one of the cameras pointed at the subject more than having the side of the camera pointed that way. I will say that my biggest gripe now is that in water conditions, the lens guards fill up and fog up if you go from warm outside to cooler/cold water.
Show me that knife again?
I put the lens protectors on very carefully and I still got what I was warned about - FOG. I won’t use them again. And the ones I had I couldn’t reuse anyway because as I removed them the edges cracked and splintered. Super brittle plastic.👎
Are you referring to the sticky lens mounts from Insta360? Those really are difficult to get off without destroying them.
Any issues with fog?
Absolutely. Found it out the hard way. Since there’s not a seal, it fogs up pretty badly. I now know these are really only good for if you don’t use them in water and aren’t changing temps. Would be best for storage or for some filming on land with no big temperature changes.
When I first got my Insta360 X3, I ordered the sticky lens guards, but they fogged up so bad I couldn't use them. The little blue tool broke when I tried to use it to remove the stickies, and I had to use my buck knife. Since looking at your video i just now ordered the clip-on. We'll se how it goes. Thanks for introducing these to me. I've been using my Insta360 camera for a year now and I'm extra careful with the camera to avoid lens damage. So far so good, but now I'll have that extra protection. th-cam.com/channels/TZ0jl9KKEFgoSWtz4JBUFQ.html
I’ve never had the sticky lens guards fog up, but these fogged up pretty bad when I went from cold water to hot air. They’re great for transporting and protecting, pretty good for most things on land, but not good for other uses.
Rubbish, my insta fell off my bike and the premium lens guards popped off and both my camera lens got heavily scraped up.
Hate to hear this. How fast were you going, if you don’t mind me asking? Im working on a follow up video.
Around 10 mph I had just pulled away.@@MilledgeAustin
@@shitestirrer3067 That really sucks. Thanks for that updated info. I will be sure to include that in my closing for this new video.
Completely unrelated to the failed guard, what mount was it that caused the camera to fall off?
@MilledgeAustin insta selfie mounted to a grab, because of the way the lenses are I wouldn't buy another and will have a go at replacing the lenses. Hopefully they will redesign the lens fitment to maybe a screw on with a hex at the bottom
@@shitestirrer3067 I feel like people have been hoping/asking for a screw-on lens protector for a while, or a way to replace the lenses like on GoPros.
Insta lens guard a bit expensive in my country, but easily scratch..not worth it but afraid without lens guard ,the main lens gonna be scratch..
I would say the stick lens mounts are the best option for protection at this point. I’m really hoping Insta360 will start offering an easier, butter lens protection system on the next version of this.
can we use a mic adapter if we put the snap lens protector?
You could fit it on, but honestly I feel if you’re putting this type lens protection on, you’re not going to want a mic adapter on it.