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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ABOUT INFRARED
Back-Bone
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ABOUT INFRARED

In addition to incredible resolution and frame rate options for standard color imaging, Back-Bone’s ‘Ribcage’ camera modifications allow you to shoot in infrared as well. Our cameras all feature a removable IR-Cut filter which can be replaced with one of our Cold Mirror filters for dedicated infrared imaging. You can also use special ‘NDVI’ filters and lenses to image in specific wavelengths such as blue and NIR in order to monitor crop health from drones. Leaves and vegetation typically reflect a lot of IR, so they appear bright white when imaged for a really unique look. (Typically we convert recordings to black and white in post as the color images look very pink)

Remove the IR blocking filter from your camera if you’d like to perform ‘full spectrum’ imaging, however, focus can be soft looking without special ‘IR-corrected’ or ‘Day & Night’ lenses. Infrared is typically blurry when visible light is in focus, resulting in that softness. An ‘IR-corrected’ lens has special optics to allow visible light and IR to be in focus at the same time. Those lens types are typically only available in CS & C-Mount, another great reason to use our gear!

We recommend using a Cold Mirror filter when shooting with ‘normal’ lenses i.e. without special ‘IR-corrected’ or ‘Day & Night’ lenses. Cold Mirror filters completely block visible light and only allow IR into the camera. You can also use an IR illuminator for night vision in the dark. On the Ribcage RX0 you can set up your own custom picture profiles to get exactly the look you want. Certain lenses may not be able to focus to infinity in infrared. For more information check out this helpful page.

Pro Tip: Cold Mirror infrared filters are available in our online shop.

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