Ever wondered what gives those epic GoPro shots their unique, immersive look? It often comes down to the lens’s field of view and the subtle, or not-so-subtle, “curvature” or fisheye effect. For GoPro Hero 5 users, getting the best curvature for GoPro Hero 5 wide angle shots means balancing that signature immersive feel with crisp image quality, whether you’re shredding trails, diving deep, or just capturing everyday adventures.
The Hero 5 Black and Hero 5 Session are fantastic cameras, known for their versatility and robust performance. But to truly unlock their potential, especially for those stunning wide-angle perspectives, understanding how to enhance or manage the optical properties is key. We’re talking about everything from specialized camera mods to essential accessories that ensure your wide shots look their absolute best.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up 5 top picks that can help you achieve the best curvature for GoPro Hero 5 wide footage, or simply elevate your wide-angle game, even considering upgrades to newer models for the ultimate immersive experience. Let’s dive in!
GoPro HERO13 Black Ultra Wide Edition
If you’re serious about getting the most expansive and dramatic wide-angle footage possible, the GoPro HERO13 Black Ultra Wide Edition is a game-changer. While not an accessory for your Hero 5, it represents the pinnacle of GoPro’s wide-angle capabilities right out of the box, offering an astounding 177° field of view. This camera is designed for those who want to capture everything, from vast landscapes to hyper-immersive POV shots that truly put your viewer in the middle of the action. It’s the ultimate upgrade if you’re chasing the most pronounced and visually striking wide-angle curvature for your adventure footage.
Key Features:
– Ultra Wide Lens Mod already attached for up to 177° FOV.
– Pro-Quality 4K60 Video with five digital lenses (Linear, Wide, Ultra Wide, Ultra SuperView, Ultra HyperView).
– Unbreakable HyperSmooth Stabilization for incredibly smooth footage.
– Easy Vertical Capture for social media platforms.
– Comes with essential accessories including an Enduro Battery and Curved Adhesive Mount.
Pros:
– Extremely wide field of view for hyper-immersive content.
– Advanced stabilization (HyperSmooth) in all resolutions.
– Multiple digital lenses to adjust the amount of “fisheye” effect.
– Excellent video quality in 4K60.
Cons:
– Premium price point as it’s a full camera upgrade, not just an accessory.
– Might be overkill if you only occasionally need ultra-wide shots.
User Impressions:
Users rave about the insane field of view and the incredible stability, making it perfect for high-action scenarios where every detail matters. Many appreciate the flexibility of digital lenses, allowing them to choose between super-immersive and less distorted looks. It’s frequently cited as the go-to camera for professional-level POV and landscape videography.
Sametop Case Frame Mount Housing Compatible with GoPro Hero
While not directly influencing the lens’s curvature, the Sametop Case Frame Mount Housing is an indispensable accessory for your GoPro Hero 5 Session (and Hero 4 Session). This lightweight and durable frame protects your camera while ensuring it’s securely mounted for any shot. For wide-angle shooting, a stable and well-protected camera is paramount. This frame allows full access to all ports and buttons, meaning you can keep the camera powered and ready for extended shooting sessions, which is crucial when trying to capture that perfect sweeping wide shot without interruption. Its open design also aids in heat dissipation, helping maintain optimal camera performance for consistent video quality.
Key Features:
– Made of strengthened PC material for durability and protection.
– Compatible with GoPro Hero5 Session, Hero4 Session, Hero Session.
– Open design for full access to buttons and ports, including charging.
– Integrated latches for easy installation and removal.
– Includes quick release buckle mount for versatile mounting.
Pros:
– Lightweight and compact, ideal for minimalist setups.
– Excellent heat dissipation, preventing overheating during long shoots.
– Allows full access to camera features while mounted.
– Protects the camera from minor impacts and scratches.
Cons:
– Offers less protection than a full waterproof housing.
– Does not inherently modify the lens’s optical properties.
User Impressions:
Customers love how compact and easy to use this frame is, making it a staple for daily GoPro use. They appreciate the ability to charge the camera while it’s mounted and the overall snug fit that keeps the Hero Session secure. It’s often praised for being a better everyday alternative to bulkier cases.
GoPro Hero5 Session (Renewed)
The GoPro Hero5 Session, even in its renewed form, remains a fantastic compact action camera, and a prime candidate for achieving various wide-angle effects. Its cube-like design makes it incredibly versatile for mounting in tight spaces or on gear, allowing for unique perspectives that leverage its built-in wide-angle lens. While it doesn’t have swappable lenses or advanced digital lens options like newer models, its default wide field of view provides that classic GoPro fisheye effect that many users love for immersive POV footage. For those looking for the best curvature for GoPro Hero 5 wide within the Session’s form factor, this renewed model offers a cost-effective way to get that signature look.
Key Features:
– Stunning 4K video and 10MP photos.
– Durable design, waterproof to 33ft (10M) without a housing.
– Single button control for quick power-on and recording.
– Compact and lightweight design.
Pros:
– Extremely portable and easy to mount anywhere.
– Built-in waterproofing for hassle-free use in wet conditions.
– Simple one-button operation.
– Cost-effective way to get 4K GoPro footage.
Cons:
– No LCD screen for real-time viewing.
– Limited control over digital lens perspectives (e.g., no linear mode).
– Battery is not user-replaceable.
User Impressions:
Many users find the Hero5 Session surprisingly capable for its size. Its simplicity and robust, waterproof design are big selling points. While some miss an LCD screen, they often praise its ease of use for quick grab-and-shoot scenarios, making it a great secondary camera or a primary choice for minimalist setups.
FitStill 196FT/60M Dive Housing Waterproof Diving
For underwater adventures, managing the optical distortion—or “curvature”—introduced by water is critical. The FitStill Dive Housing for the GoPro Hero 5 Session and Hero 4 Session directly addresses this with its “Large Flat Glass Lens.” Unlike typical curved lenses, a flat port significantly reduces the refractive distortion that water causes, ensuring your underwater wide-angle shots remain sharp, clear, and true to life. This means less bending and warping of lines, giving you the best curvature for GoPro Hero 5 wide footage when submerged, allowing for stunning, undistorted marine photography and videography down to 60 meters (196 feet).
Key Features:
– Designed specifically for GoPro Hero 5 Session and Hero 4 Session.
– Stainless steel hardware to prevent rusting in saltwater.
– Waterproof up to 60M/196FT with upgraded sealing ring and buckle.
– Large Flat Glass Lens for maximum image sharpness above and below water.
– High light transmission (98.99%) PMMA material for bright, clear images.
Pros:
– Eliminates underwater optical distortion (refraction) with a flat lens.
– Exceptional depth rating for serious diving.
– High-quality materials ensure durability and clear footage.
– Protects the camera from extreme conditions.
Cons:
– Adds bulk to the compact Hero Session.
– May cause glare or reflections when shooting above water due to the flat lens.
User Impressions:
Divers and snorkelers consistently praise this housing for its robustness and, most importantly, the crystal-clear, undistorted underwater footage it enables. The flat lens is a standout feature, making a noticeable difference in image quality compared to housings with curved ports underwater. Many highlight its reliable sealing and overall protective qualities.
GoPro MAX — Waterproof 360 + Traditional Action Camera
If you want the ultimate control over your wide-angle perspective and even the perceived “curvature” of your footage, the GoPro MAX is a revolutionary step up. This camera captures spherical 5.6K30 video, meaning it records everything around it. Post-capture, you can “reframe” your 360 footage into traditional video clips, choosing your exact field of view and perspective – effectively allowing you to pick your best curvature for GoPro Hero 5 wide (and beyond!) long after the shot. It’s like having multiple cameras in one, giving you unparalleled creative freedom to craft wide, super-wide, or even standard shots from a single recording, and even make the selfie stick disappear!
Key Features:
– Ultra Versatile 360 Video (5.6K30 spherical) with post-capture reframing.
– Easy 360 Editing with the GoPro Quik App (Object Tracking, reframing, effects).
– Stealth Mounting that stitches out extension poles.
– Single Lens (HERO) mode for traditional video (1080p, 1440p) and photos.
– Waterproof design with included Enduro Battery.
Pros:
– Unprecedented flexibility in choosing your field of view in post-production.
– Eliminates the need to aim the camera precisely during capture.
– Incredible HyperSmooth stabilization for 360 and HERO modes.
– Makes selfie sticks “disappear” for impossible-looking shots.
Cons:
– Higher price point than traditional GoPros.
– 360 footage requires more processing power and storage.
– Editing 360 footage can have a learning curve for newcomers.
User Impressions:
Users are blown away by the creative possibilities the MAX offers, especially the ability to reframe footage. Many describe it as “future-proof” due to its versatility and the way it simplifies capturing complex shots. The “invisible selfie stick” feature is a crowd favorite, and despite the learning curve for 360 editing, the results are often seen as worth the effort.
FAQ Section
Q1: What does “curvature” mean in the context of a GoPro wide lens?
A1: In the context of GoPro wide lenses, “curvature” refers to the “fisheye effect” or barrel distortion. This is the optical phenomenon where straight lines appear to bend outwards, creating a distorted, spherical look. It’s inherent in very wide-angle lenses and can either be embraced for an immersive feel or mitigated for a more natural, “linear” perspective.
Q2: How can I minimize the fisheye effect on my GoPro Hero 5?
A2: The GoPro Hero 5 Black (but not the Session) offers a “Linear” digital lens option in its settings. Activating this mode digitally corrects the fisheye distortion, making lines appear straighter. For underwater use, a flat port housing (like the FitStill Dive Housing reviewed above) is essential to eliminate water-induced distortion.
Q3: Is the GoPro Hero 5 Session inherently wide-angle?
A3: Yes, the GoPro Hero 5 Session, like most GoPros, features a fixed wide-angle lens that provides a broad field of view, resulting in that signature immersive, and slightly curved, look. It does not, however, offer the “Linear” mode found on the Hero 5 Black or newer models to correct this digitally.
Q4: Why is a flat lens important for underwater GoPro photography?
A4: When a camera lens with a curved dome port (like the camera’s built-in lens) is submerged, the water’s refraction causes optical distortion, making objects appear closer and distorted. A flat glass lens on an underwater housing corrects this by creating a clear, undistorted pathway for light, ensuring your underwater wide-angle shots are sharp and true-to-life.
Q5: Can older GoPro accessories work with newer GoPro models like the HERO13 Black or MAX?
A5: Many standard GoPro mounting accessories (like quick release buckles, sticky mounts, and tripods) are universally compatible across different GoPro generations. However, specific housings or lens mods designed for one model (e.g., Hero 5 Session housing) will not fit other camera models (e.g., HERO13 Black or MAX) due to design and size differences.
Q6: What’s the benefit of a 360 camera like the GoPro MAX for wide-angle shots?
A6: A 360 camera like the GoPro MAX captures everything around it, giving you ultimate flexibility. Instead of choosing your wide-angle perspective before shooting, you can capture the entire spherical scene and then “reframe” it in post-production. This allows you to choose any field of view, from super-wide to narrow, and even adjust the perceived “curvature” or straightness of your final video, essentially getting the best curvature for GoPro Hero 5 wide (and even wider) in editing.
Q7: Are there external lens attachments for the GoPro Hero 5 to change its curvature?
A7: While some third-party wide-angle or macro lens attachments exist for older GoPros, they typically clip onto the existing lens. For the Hero 5 models, especially the Hero 5 Session, dedicated high-quality lens mods like those for newer GoPros (e.g., GoPro’s own Max Lens Mod) are not available. Most users rely on the camera’s built-in wide-angle or utilize external housings with specific lens designs (like flat ports for underwater).
