GoPro cameras may be ready to migrate from helmets to film schools thanks to the Ribcage, an in-development assembly that allows the tiny action cams to be outfitted with interchangeable lenses.
Under production by Canada-based company Back-Bone, the Ribcage incorporates a mount for a “C” format 16mm camera lens, optics to fit the lens to the GoPro’s image sensor and accompanying circuitry to control the GoPro. Mount Adapters
Here’s a quick intro to the Ribcage:
Everything fits into a surprisingly compact housing that works with a Hero3 or Hero3+. (Lenses in other formats can be adapted for C-mount, but the crop factor will be different.)
Advantages of using a separate lens are legion: The shooter gets to control aperture, zoom, focus and more. With the included filter, you can even shoot infrared scenes. Back-Bone sees the Ribcage as particularly useful for action filmmakers who have learned to rely on a GoPro but would like more flexibility for non-action scenes.
The company is currently taking pre-orders for delivery early next year, and they’re giving buyers two options to choose from: You can either buy the Ribcage as a DIY kit that will work with your existing GoPro for $200, or as a pre-assembled package with a brand new Hero3+ inside for $800.
If you do choose the DIY route, be warned that this is not a simple “slide the camera into the housing” project. You’ll need to be comfortable disassembling the GoPro and putting it back together, following Back-Bone’s installation instructions exactly.
To learn more about the Ribcage or reserve one of the DIY or fully-assembled versions for yourself, head over to the Back-Bone website by clicking here.
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