Featuring Logan Wood
Round out your underwater storytelling with behind-the-scenes video using an Insta360 camera. Logan Wood breaks down how he attaches his Insta360 X4 to an Ikelite Underwater Housing using just a few extra pieces of equipment.
If you'd rather read the video transcript, scroll down.
Ikelite Products Used
- 1-inch Ball Mount for Vega # 4081.5
- 1-inch Triple Ball Clamp V2 # 4081.25
-
Wide Angle Ball Arm V2 for Quick Release Handle # 40782
If you’re a diver chances are you’ve seen or at least heard about 360 cameras, like this one, the Insta360 X4. While this by no means replaces my traditional camera and housing, but it’s great for capturing behind the scenes shots of myself or just playing around with some unique perspectives underwater.
What You'll Need
Now there’s a lot of combinations of ways to mount this to your underwater housing but here’s what worked for me.
- Insta360 camera
- Insta360’s official underwater housing
- Action camera mount with a 1/4-20 mount on the bottom
- 1in. ball with a 1/4-20 screw
- 1in. triple ball clamp
- Invisible Selfie Stick
- 2 strobe arms if you have strobes like I do
Setting up the Insta360 Camera in the Housing
First, turn on the Underwater Housing Mode on the 360 camera itself and remove the protective lens if you have them installed. Then, throw the 360 camera in its underwater housing with the included moisture pads, and close it up.
Here's what the final setup should look like before you hit the water.
Attaching the Selfie Stick to the Strobe Arm
Screw the ball into the bottom of the invisible selfie stick using the 1/4-20 screw. Make sure it’s really tight, because this will be the connection between the selfie stick and your strobe arms.
Then, at the end of your first strobe arm, connect the 1in. triple ball clamp. Clamp down the invisible selfie stick and your next strobe arm and tighten it down. Attach the 360 housing to the invisible selfie stick using the 1/4-20 screw on the top of the selfie stick.
Things to Look Out For
When I’m walking around or not using the camera I’ll put a protective cover over the dome of the 360 underwater housing and fold out of the way. When I’m in the water, I hit record and extend the pole out and when the software stitches the footage together, it will magically delete the selfie stick from view. Now what I’ve found is that the spot where the software deletes the selfie stick will be the softest part of your image. So if you’re wanting a clear shot of yourself, I would angle the stick slightly upwards.
Also, the dome of the 360’s housing is extremely fragile, so even the smallest scratch will show up in your videos, be extra careful not to touch anything or bang it on anything as you're walking around.
While 360 cameras by no means replace a traditional camera and housing, it’s great for capturing behind the scenes shots of myself or just playing around with some unique perspectives underwater.
If you’re interested in me making anymore videos about the 360 camera like the settings or editing the videos after diving, please let me know. Until then, happy diving!
Additional Viewing
Adding a GoPro to Your Ikelite Underwater Housing [VIDEO]
Install a 45º or Straight Magnifying Viewfinder on Your Underwater Housing [VIDEO]
Installing a Vacuum Test Valve in an Ikelite DLM Underwater Housing [VIDEO]
OM TG-7 BEST Wide Angle Option Underwater // FCON-T02 Fisheye Lens [VIDEO]
Quick & Dirty Tips for Shooting Underwater Video
Logan Wood is a published photographer, cinematographer, and Producer at Ikelite. Stemming from a great appreciation for the outdoors and living an active lifestyle, his work focuses on capturing and sharing the natural world through the latest technologies. When not in the studio, Logan can be found cruising on his bike, going to concerts, and researching where to go next. You can see more of his work at loganwood.net and on Instagram @jlowood
