GoPro’s new dive housing lets you focus on your underwater imagery
posted Monday, May 14, 2012 at 3:24 PM EDT
A few months ago, the first rumors appeared of a new underwater housing for the iconic GoPro HD Hero action camera line, with availability expected from winter 2012. Today, GoPro creator Woodman Labs Inc. has made the AFLTH-001 Dive Housing official, and reconfirmed the previously-expected price of around US$50. Availability is well ahead of the earlier schedule, though: the new HD Hero Dive Housing is expected to begin shipping this Thursday.
If you've not done much underwater shooting with the HD Hero-series cameras, you could be forgiven for wondering what the purpose of the new housing is. After all, GoPro's cameras already include a waterproof housing with 60 meter / 197 foot rating, the same as that of the new housing, don't they?
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GoPro's new dive housing has a flat glass lens for sharper underwater imagery. Photo provided by Woodman Labs Inc. |
Well, yes, but the new housing has an important difference: a flat glass lens, in place of the previous design which featured a rounded glass lens.While it worked fine on dry land, the earlier bubble-like lens was prone to soft focus when shooting underwater, which led to third-party workarounds like Eye of Mine's underwater lens fix. The official YouTube channel for Eye of Mine has an underwater video nicely showing the difference between the stock HD Hero housing's lens and one modified to add a flat lens. (Note that this was shot with their own third-party solution, and not the new GoPro housing, though.)
With GoPro themselves now offering a case that works just fine whether above or below water, we'd expect to see third parties start selling their cases at a discount to clear stock. The new AFLTH-001 Dive Housing still has a 60 meter / 197 foot rating, ships with a protective lens cap, and is compatible with all HD Hero-series cameras, GoPro mounts and accessories. More details on GoPro's site.
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The new housing has the same 60 meter / 197 foot depth rating as that bundled with the company's HD Hero-series cameras. Photo provided by Woodman Labs Inc. |
Press Release
GoPro® Launches Dive Housing
Dive Housing features large, flat glass lens compatible with all HD HERO cameras
HALF MOON BAY, Calif., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GoPro, maker of the world's most versatile HD cameras, today announced the launch of the Dive Housing. The new GoPro Dive Housing features a large, flat glass lens that allows for maximum photo and video sharpness underwater in all resolutions. Waterproof to 197ft / 60m, the Dive Housing is ideal for diving, snorkeling and any underwater filming scenario.
The Dive Housing is compatible with all HD HERO cameras, GoPro mounts and accessories. Included items: waterproof Dive Housing, protective lens cap, tether string and assorted mounting hardware. This new accessory adds to the HD HERO's reputation as the most versatile camera in the world. It is now available for order at Our Online Store, specialty retailers around the world, Sport Chalet and Best Buy for MSRP US $49.99.
About GoPro
Based in Half Moon Bay, California, GoPro makes the world's most versatile cameras, enabling people to capture and share their lives' most exciting moments in professional quality HD video and photos. GoPro's HD HERO line of wearable and gear mountable cameras are used collectively by more consumers, professional athletes, and video production professionals than any other camera in the world. GoPro's products are sold in over 140 countries via specialty sports retailers, Sport Chalet, Best Buy and at GoPro.com.