Using Back-Bone Modified GoPros With Microscopes
Back-Bone
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Using Back-Bone Modified GoPros With Microscopes

 

Microscope camera systems capable of shooting in 4K are bulky and extremely expensive. Back-Bone’s ‘Ribcage’ Modified action cameras provide a cost effective alternative. Here’s a list of features that make these cameras a no-brainer for this type of application. Camera’s and mod kits are available here.

 

Cost

4K microscope camera systems can cost many thousands of dollars. A modified 4K GoPro can range in price from a few hundred dollars to $899 for the H6PRO which supports 4K @60fps. The Ribcage RX0 features a 1″ CMOS sensor and 4K output for $1399.

Industry Leading Specs

Shoot at resolutions up to 4K/60 for a fraction of the cost. Other features include 12MP RAW photos plus full exposure and shutter speed control. Get frame rates of up to 1000fps with the Ribcage RX0.

Portability

Typical microscope recording systems require a computer or wired controller box in order to function. Back-Bone mods are compact, self contained and battery powered so you can take your research into the field. Each camera features a rear display.

HDMI Out

All of Back-Bone’s modified cameras feature live video out. The H5PRO and Ribcage RX0 cameras even feature a clean 4K live output via HDMI so you can see every detail on a large screen or capture to an external recording device.

Hands Free

Operate cameras via wireless remote control, smartphone app and in some cases voice commands so that your subject remains undisturbed (H5PRO/H6PRO & Ribcage YI 4K+ feature voice control)

C-Mount

All of Back-Bone’s modified cameras feature C-Mount – the standard lens mount for machine vision and medical imaging applications. Many microscopes already have a C-Mount camera port or beamsplitter. If replacing the eyepiece you can use a cheap C-Mount nosepiece adapter to mount the camera.

Imaging Options

Record in the infrared or in a slice of the spectrum of your choosing. Back-Bone cameras all feature a removable IR-Cut filter which can be replaced with your own custom filter to suit your needs.

This video shows the results of a Ribcage Modified Hero4 camera on a high-end microscope.

Useful information:

  • GoPro/YI sensor size: 1/2.3″
  • Ribcage RX0 sensor size: 1″
  • Max recording resolution: 4000 x 3000 @ 30fps (H6PRO & Ribcage Yi 4K+)
  • Still image Resolution: 12MP RAW (GoPro / Yi), 15.3MP RAW (Ribcage Rx0)
  • Sensitivity: ~ 350nm – 1100nm
  • 650nm IR-Cut, 635nm IR-Cut, 780nm Cold Mirror, 0.3, 0.6 & 0.9 OD ND filters available
  • Contact Midwest Optics for custom filters
  • Filter size Hero4/Yi 4K/4K+/ RX0: 15.2mm diameter x 1.1mm thick
  • Filter size H5PRO / H6PRO: 9.6mm diameter x 1.1mm thick
  • Filter size Hero3/3+: 9.6mm x 0.5mm thick

Mounting a Back-Bone H5PRO modified Hero5 to your average microscope with an eyepiece adapter.

 

 

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Back-Bone and Nat Geo Lions 360
Back-Bone
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Back-Bone and Nat Geo Lions 360

Don’t you hate it when lions eat all your cameras? We provided our Ribcage modified GoPro cameras and lenses to film National Geographic’s Lions 360 video, plus we were able to help in other ways. During filming several of the production’s stock GoPro cameras were actually destroyed by the curious lions. Rather than write them off, we had the production send them to us. What many people don’t realize about our camera mod kits is that if you install one on a broken GoPro camera it can actually fix many problems, particularly if the lens is damaged. If it still turns on you can likely salvage it!

One of the cameras actually did require a spare part as the lions had chewed through the LCD readout on the front, though that component isn’t required for the camera to function. We disassembled the cameras, installed our Ribcage AIR Mod Kit for Hero4 and… good as new, Only now you can add your choice of lens! Ribcage Mod Kits are available for GoPro Hero3/3+, Hero4 & Yi 4K/4K+.

Please enjoy the Lions 360 video embedded below. Click and drag with your mouse cursor in order to look around.

 

 

 

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RIBCAGE AIR: 3D DATA & FLIGHTPATH RECONSTRUCTION
Back-Bone
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RIBCAGE AIR: 3D DATA & FLIGHTPATH RECONSTRUCTION

With this fun project we used XYZ RGB’s Scannerkiller technology to extract and reconstruct an accurate flight-path and virtual camera from some of our drone footage. We used a Ribcage Modified Hero4 Black mounted on a 3DR Solo. Using only the video frames we are able to extract 3D models and camera positions. A virtual camera can then be created in 3DS MAX from the data. Accurate measurements, flight-path information, model reconstruction and visual effects are all possible using this method. No GPS data was used.

 

Equipment Used:

  • Ribcage Modified Hero4 Black
  • 5.4mm 10MP M12 lens
  • 0.6 OD Neutral Density Filter
  • 3DR Solo + Gimbal

Software:

  • Scannerkiller
  • 3DS MAX
  • After Effects

For more info:
xyzrgb.com

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About the Modulus Sensor Housing
Back-Bone
, , , , , , , , , , Ribcage
About the Modulus Sensor Housing

Designed for developers with special applications, our Modulus Sensor Housing provides protection and infinite lens mounting options for the GoPro Hero4 image sensor when removed from the camera. Use the included 12” sensor extension ribbon to place the image sensor away from the camera body. The sensor housing can be mounted on any standard 1/4”- 20 mounting point using the included mounting bracket. Two back plates are provided for maximum flexibility – with two sensor housings you can use alternate back plates to mount them directly back-to-back for the smallest amount of parallax possible. Sensors can also be mounted back-to-back with an offset of 90°: one sensor in landscape and the other in portrait orientation. This allows high frame rate shooting in 16:9 modes without losing the ability to stitch a full 4K resolution* 360° video with only two cameras. The module can be configured so that the ribbon connector comes out the back, top, bottom or right/left side. Bundle this housing with a Ribcage Mod Kit for maximum usability!

Modulus sensor housing
Components for the Modulus sensor hoursing

What you will need:
1. Ribcage Air modified Hero4
2. Modulus sensor housing
3. Custom cut filters (optional)

12" sensor extension ribbon
12" sensor extension ribbon for the modulus
M12 lens mount, deep socket M12, C and CS mount ring
M12 lens mount, deep socket M12, C and CS mount ring adapters for the Ribcage
Modulus sensor housing and tripod mounting bracket
Components for the Modulus sensor housing and tripod mounting bracket
Modulus sensor housing installation

Features:
1. Compatible with GoPro Hero4 (Camera must be disassembled)
2. 12” extension ribbon separates image sensor from camera
3. Ribbon can be configured to come out the back, top, bottom, left or right of the housing
4. Tripod mount included
5. Compatible with M12 (S-Mount), CS and C-Mount lenses and more with adapters
6. Precision CNC machined aluminum parts

tinyplanet-1
Still taken from a 360 VR video
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Still taken from a 360 VR video

Designed with maximum flexibility in mind, our new aluminum Ribcage 3x mount will give you lots of options for your 360° spherical videos at a much lower cost. Ribcage Modified Hero4 cameras can be mounted in either vertical or horizontal orientation. When in vertical configuration (cameras on their sides) you can take advantage of all the shooting modes the cameras have to offer to achieve near 6K/30 or full 4K/60*. In addition, when in vertical configuration the battery compartment and all the buttons are easily accessible including the side button. The Ribcage 3x mounting bracket also supports our Modulus Sensor Housing which can be connected directly. The camera mounting plates can be connected to put the cameras in horizontal configuration, or they can be turned over so the camera bodies hang underneath when Modulus Sensor Housings are connected via our extended jumper. Stock (unmodified) GoPro Hero4 cameras can also be used** (vertical configuration only). The mount is compatible with both 1/4” – 20 and 3/8” – 16 tripod mounts.

3x-modulus
Ribcage 3x mount
Modulus sensor housing

Sample footage taken with our Ribcage 3X VR Mount. This mount is capable of holding three Ribcage Modified Hero4 cameras in either portrait or landscape orientations. When in portrait (sideways) orientation all the shooting modes on the camera can be used while still getting full spherical coverage. That means you can take advantage of the added resolution of 4K or increased frame rates. In addition the battery door, the ports and all buttons are easily accessible when in portrait configuration.

This footage was shot in 2.7K/60 which produces a stitched output greater than 4K. Shooting on 4K/30 will produce a stitched output of about 5800×2900. In this case the video was output at 4096 x 2048 @ 60fps

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