Insta360 One X2 Lens Repair (hard) & Replacement (easy)

Hello World!
I've been doing a lot of DIY lately and one of the latest is the lens replacement for my Insta360 One X2.
Anyone else looking to fix their scratched lens can have a look at how I do it here.
I ended up replacing the lens without cutting into the camera casing/back plate, just lifting off the lens from its housing once I've loosened it.
I hope this helps others out there who are in the same spot I was in before.
Tools used as the repair escalated:
-Autosol Scratch Remover with microfiber cloth
-Waterproof Silicon Carbide Sandpaper grits 150 to 3000 (manual polish at first)
-Cerium Oxide powder
-Rotary tool with felt polishing heads for the Cerium Oxide
and finally:
-heat gun with replacement lens and precision screwdrivers.

Пікірлер: 92

  • @kawsper
    @kawsper Жыл бұрын

    Well done. It should be a crime to release a camera without interchangeable lenses.

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Action cam, lenses that stick out, yeah. Personally, I’d choose easy lens changeout over waterproofing any day.

  • @FoolWithACamera0
    @FoolWithACamera011 ай бұрын

    I AGREE with the previous comment. The difficulty and cost of replacing the lenses on the X2/3 makes describing it as an action camera an oxymoron. Thank you for this video.

  • @6mmHeck
    @6mmHeck9 ай бұрын

    As someone who has people shooting airsoft guns at my X2 this is an amazing video to come across. Good work man.

  • @jacob-adams
    @jacob-adams9 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the video, it was very helpful. For anyone else trying this, you can (at your own risk) use scalpel or other sharp knife to go around the perimeter and free the lens from the glue. This way the destruction of the outside ring is minimised to just the section where you eventually use a small screwdriver to pry the lens off. I managed to get the lens out this way without any heat gun action at all, just be very careful not to slice yourself.

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    9 ай бұрын

    Excellent idea with the scalpel, more surgical than my blunt approach 👍🏾

  • @syafiqjuffri7928
    @syafiqjuffri7928 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the tutorial bro! It took me about 30 mins to remove a pair of lens using a hair dryer and minus screwdriver with minimal damage. Cheers!

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad it helped, now we know no need for the screwdriver 👍🏾

  • @kadulopes

    @kadulopes

    Жыл бұрын

    Hello friend, could you tell me if your camera is the One x2 or One x3? I intend to change 1 lens on my One x3, but I didn't find any video on how to remove the lens, I believe it's the same way as yours.... I thought about using the dryer to heat the glue and make the process easier. Did you use a plastic or metal spatula?

  • @syafiqjuffri7928

    @syafiqjuffri7928

    Жыл бұрын

    @@lifeafter407 minus screwdriver = flat head screwdriver. used the wrong terminology haha

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    😂

  • @ronsterDmonster

    @ronsterDmonster

    Жыл бұрын

    did you use superglue or it wasnt needed?

  • @bocian6666
    @bocian6666 Жыл бұрын

    This is great video. It tells me not to do because I don't wanna damage my camera and I agree with some. the lens should be just twist & click . Just like older version of GoPro.

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @1AndyGarcia
    @1AndyGarcia11 ай бұрын

    Great video, thanks for your work and information about replacing the Lense. 👍👍👍

  • @Jose.Ferreira
    @Jose.Ferreira Жыл бұрын

    Nice work👌 Thanks for sharing 👍

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watchin’ 🙂

  • @Nick7538
    @Nick7538 Жыл бұрын

    Good job, thanks for the Video man!

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching 🙂

  • @teeodee4924
    @teeodee4924 Жыл бұрын

    Great video. Seen some horrible ones on this subject. Curious if an exacto knife blade might be even better than the screwdriver to minimize the outer edge damage. Also curious if you have a link to the lens you used. Does it look like it's coated? Lots of discussion on the ebay Chinese ones not having the coating.

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    I’m not an exacto knife user but from what I see of exacto, and on hindsight, minimizing the width of the tool at the point of contact and up to the depth of the lens retainer/housing is crucial to being a camera surgeon. I’m a butcher, I just need the cut. Also important is getting the cut deep enough to separate the lens around the circumference. For prying up the lens, your exacto blade will need to be at least as stiff as a screwdriver shank (it does take a bit of force to dislodge). My lens does look coated on inspection, although the tint color is slightly different compared to what the camera came with. The original tint was maybe purplish and the replacement was greenish? Bought it here: shopee.com.my/product/243588028/20204373208?smtt=0.131017007-1672897263.9 Hope that helps 🙂

  • @Index-o1234
    @Index-o1234 Жыл бұрын

    Yes!! Thank you.

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching. Have a good one!

  • @Edwin_Gan
    @Edwin_Gan Жыл бұрын

    great video. may I know which heat gun you used? Edited: I used hairdryer, surprisingly it works

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks! I used a generic Made in China heat gun (description below) but any decent heat source should do: Nexus Car 1800W AC220V Heat Gun Hot Air Gun Temperature-controlled Heat Gun With 1pc Nozzle

  • @im_tristupe
    @im_tristupe Жыл бұрын

    Thank you. Gonna attempt on my OneX

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Fuhhh, tristupe watched my vid. You can minimize damage to the lens housing the slower you go, good luck!

  • @mrdo264
    @mrdo264 Жыл бұрын

    Hi, thanks for share this video, I want to ask, i just bought a new insta360 one x2, and it gets very hot and turns off after recording 360 video with 5.7k 30fps video in 30 minutes, or even with lower fps or resolution. Just want to make sure is it normal or not. Thanks.

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi, I’ve not run it in 360 mode at 5.7k 30fps, especially for 30 min. Max I’ve done is maybe 20 min. It does get warm, especially outdoors in direct sunlight but never had it auto shut down yet. If I had to guess, I’d say you’re pushing the camera to its limits and the auto off is normal self protection for the camera. I just find it easier in post to take shorter vids 😁

  • @amirmjei
    @amirmjei Жыл бұрын

    Great job👏👏 i wished you turned on and tested the inner lens. I am curious what for optic-strength the inner lens has. And wherher it is removable too... possibilty of going direct to the sensor... Repect

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks, on hindsight, yeah I could have played around with the inner lens seeing how I’ve gone that far 😎

  • @kadulopes
    @kadulopes Жыл бұрын

    Hey man, thanks for the video. i have one question. After replace, did you use the camera and see the images on PC ( large Screen ) The quality still good as new one? I will make this replace on my one x3, but im a little scared...any way, The footage of mine with the deep risk are not good, I only have to try to change the lens ...

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi. Yeah, I’ve downloaded the camera footage to my mac after the lens replacement to make these KZread videos. Is the quality as good as new? ..It’s the same from what I see but honestly, even when new the One X2 footage was grainy under certain conditions (low light, distance from subject). It really depends on your replacement lens quality whether you get the same video quality after replacement. Good luck with your One X3.

  • @kadulopes

    @kadulopes

    Жыл бұрын

    @@lifeafter407 thank you so much for answer my question! When I replace l will come back here and say what’s happens.

  • @romaric9874

    @romaric9874

    Жыл бұрын

    @@kadulopes Had you replace thé Lens on X3 ? Please ?

  • @kadulopes

    @kadulopes

    Жыл бұрын

    @@romaric9874 Hey man, here a tutorial how to replace the lens of ONE X3 : kzread.info/dash/bejne/qoynw9GCprXKpdI.html

  • @StereoVirtual
    @StereoVirtual5 ай бұрын

    Good 👍 do you still use it? By the way, do you know if the same lens works for the insta360 EVO? If not, is it on sale on the same website you got those

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    4 ай бұрын

    Yep, still very much in use. I don’t know about the 360 EVO though, first time I’m hearing about that model, sorry

  • @StereoVirtual

    @StereoVirtual

    4 ай бұрын

    @@lifeafter407hi thanks for the response. its a consumer vr180 camera by #insta360 i love that one but its hard to find now its been discontinued.

  • @miecim
    @miecim Жыл бұрын

    Good sharing..

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Hope it's been helpful, thanks for watching.

  • @remzsolaszlo
    @remzsolaszlo Жыл бұрын

    Hi. Great video. I purchased a lens to copy your method. (y) So soon I'll replace my lens. What is your opinion after 6 months, Is this glue the best for fix the new lens?

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks! No issues with the lens staying on after 6 months. One thing I’ve noticed though is if I take out the camera from a cold, airconditioned space to the outdoors under the sun, there will be some fogging on the lens (possibly the inside since I don’t seal it airtight) but it goes away after a couple of minutes. Kinda like glasses after stepping out from an airconditioned car to humid outdoors. The opposite lens does not fog up FYI.

  • @remzsolaszlo

    @remzsolaszlo

    Жыл бұрын

    @@lifeafter407Great. Thank u so much :)

  • @jozefmalik3944
    @jozefmalik3944 Жыл бұрын

    Fantastic video, thank you. i understand youve not used the glue cos you dont need waterproofing "its an action camera", however, action camera can live on motorcycle in rain, when surfing etc.. However biggest issue i can see its a dust, not water! and dust is annoying under any lens.

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Good point! And a good reminder to those working in dusty environments. I do obsess with dust on the lens, but so far with my use case, I’ve not had that problem. Thanks for highlighting that!

  • @godzuks
    @godzuks Жыл бұрын

    Insta360 should make those lenses screw on/off

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    That’d be a better solution than the horrendous lens guards for sure. (I get why they went with the guards approach but it’s like mobile phones, some people just prefer it without the add on cases.)

  • @KendyBeraldo
    @KendyBeraldo Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video. Suck bad luck, just one month of usage.

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah, but seeing how the lenses bulge out on both sides I knew it was only a matter of when, not if. Thanks for watching :-)

  • @clausdan6916
    @clausdan69168 ай бұрын

    What does the image look like without the lens, does it serve any function other than protection ?

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    7 ай бұрын

    No idea, but if you’re using the 150 fov mode it’s probably the same, the lens probably helps with the 180 vision in the 360 mode. I did not power up the cam without the lens, didn’t want to clean up dust specks.

  • @malikhaidar
    @malikhaidar6 ай бұрын

    somehow this video feels like from 2008.

  • @azizjunior5044
    @azizjunior5044 Жыл бұрын

    great share Bro. Im still searching for One RS 1 inch lens. its hard to find the lens.

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Ouch, hope they get the spare lenses out soon. I should have bought the 1in version, the X2 needs the subject very close otherwise the resolution is lower than what I’d like

  • @azizjunior5044

    @azizjunior5044

    Жыл бұрын

    @@lifeafter407 1 inch version is good in term of image quality. Im pretty happy about it..but its too bulky for action shots..good news is, Ive just manage to find 1 shop in PJ which can do the lens replacement..

  • @ngocchungtran2321
    @ngocchungtran23219 ай бұрын

    Is it okay if you don't have a lens outside your camera

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    9 ай бұрын

    I did not power on the X2 without the lens on, so I don’t know. I suspect the lens is required to get the 180 degree field of view though. I can’t stand seeing dust on electronics so the new lens went on as soon as the old lens came off.

  • @ngocchungtran2321

    @ngocchungtran2321

    9 ай бұрын

    have a Samsung Gear 360 2017 camera, I tried an external lens and the photo was still normal. I don't know if there is any problem with recoh theta cameras? Can you make a video for everyone to know

  • @krmznn650tonu5
    @krmznn650tonu5 Жыл бұрын

    Hello my friend, I did the same as you did, I put the lenses on, but the image is not clear, what is the reason?

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Hello. Northfeilds had the same comment from about 1 month ago. I’ve copied over some of my thoughts on this: “Since you've mentioned no visible damage to the inner lens and I'm assuming the replacement lens is good, the only thing I can think of is comments from other vids where they used too much glue and developed condensation on the inside lens surfaces. Also, you may try to deduce the defect from the type of blurr.” Other possibilities could be condensation inside the lens, damage to the inner camera lens, damage to the replacement lens inner coating… Hard to troubleshoot really without more clues. Hope that gives you some ideas to track down the cause.

  • @Zenzenster
    @Zenzenster Жыл бұрын

    I tried replacing the lenses but its extremely blurred, even though there's no visible damage to inner lense, im curious why its not worked for me

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Sorry to hear that. Since you’ve mentioned no visible damage to the inner lens and I’m assuming the replacement lens is good, the only thing I can think of is comments from other vids where they used too much glue and developed condensation on the inside lens surfaces. Also, you may try to deduce the defect from the type of blurr.

  • @camilasepulvedan.9682
    @camilasepulvedan.96828 ай бұрын

    For the 360 ​​x3 is it the same? or that model is easier

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    8 ай бұрын

    I have not tried the X3 so I can’t say which is easier, sorry

  • @clifp2do404
    @clifp2do40410 ай бұрын

    terbaiikk bro

  • @imanayAieR
    @imanayAieR Жыл бұрын

    you know, since the broken lens is no longer useful, you should have just superglue the lens to some leather or cloth, then heat it and pull the cloth, it'll just pop right out. *grins* that would also reduce the dmg to the frame corners

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Something to try the next time I scratch my lens, thanks.

  • @etavasi
    @etavasi Жыл бұрын

    Nice tutorial bro 👍 maybe we can make a small hole or just break the old lens then pull it out right

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    You could do it that way as well, but I try not to break glass because of the dust it produces (don’t like cleaning dust).

  • @hidayataw8315
    @hidayataw8315 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome bro, this might save alot for those whose who really on budget.... no lens guards anymore after this... LOL I rather do this than using lens guard just to compromise the footage quality

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Exactly! Same reason I don’t use lens guards in the first place, don’t like the idea and the good one is not cheap either 😁

  • @user-um7ph3pw1o
    @user-um7ph3pw1o Жыл бұрын

    If you replace the lens of the insta x3 camera, do you face a problem?

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    I don’t have the X3 unfortunately 🙁

  • @rmc7335
    @rmc7335 Жыл бұрын

    Where did you purchase your lens?

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Shopee, it’s kinda like alibaba/ali express

  • @vaikingboy1
    @vaikingboy1 Жыл бұрын

    From where did you get the lens

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    I bought it online direct from China

  • @kadulopes
    @kadulopes Жыл бұрын

    If you are looking for how to replace lens of insta ONE X3, here a tutorial : kzread.info/dash/bejne/qoynw9GCprXKpdI.html

  • @myjpkl
    @myjpkl Жыл бұрын

    Why cant they make the lens cover flat.........

  • @eastfilm3851
    @eastfilm3851 Жыл бұрын

    Rip

  • @ashudixit100
    @ashudixit1008 ай бұрын

    Lence price please

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    7 ай бұрын

    Close to USD40

  • @robertogarciagonzalez4567
    @robertogarciagonzalez45679 ай бұрын

    debería de titularse como destrozar una insta 360

  • @vincentnavea6999
    @vincentnavea69994 ай бұрын

    why not just break the old lens instead?

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    4 ай бұрын

    The possibility of glass shards and powder getting on the camera sensor, and having to clean up after it, just doesn’t appeal to me.

  • @arnoldezsray2815
    @arnoldezsray2815 Жыл бұрын

    Baru mengundi ke boss?🤣🤣

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    Iyerr! 😇

  • @PiuPassioneCheRagione
    @PiuPassioneCheRagione Жыл бұрын

    Che disastro, per risparmiare qualche dollaro hai distrutto una Insta

  • @lifeafter407

    @lifeafter407

    Жыл бұрын

    No problemo amigo, mi insta no es mi baby 😁