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

[@kawsper]

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

[@lifeafter407]

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

[@smadabocaj]

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]

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

[@FoolWithACamera0]

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]

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

[@syafiqjuffri7928]

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]

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

[@kadulopes]

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]

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

[@lifeafter407]

😂

[@rosegoldenboy]

did you use superglue or it wasnt needed?

[@mrdo264]

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]

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 😁

[@bocian6666]

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]

Thanks!

[@amirmjei]

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]

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

[@REPSSTUDIO]

Will it still be water proof?

[@lifeafter407]

Depends on how clean your cut is and how well you seal the gaps afterwards. Nevertheless, I have used it underwater post repair but I placed it in one of those ziploc type waterproof cases. It worked surprisingly well for me.

[@ngocchungtran2321]

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

[@lifeafter407]

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]

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

[@clausdan6916]

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

[@lifeafter407]

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.

[@lifeafter407]

I dropped my insta360 again and the lens popped out, so I made a short without the lens kzbin.infoc9WqxkfyN4Y?si=a3rD5oJlNVXMYWUI

[@teeodee4924]

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]

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 🙂

[@camilasepulvedan.9682]

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

[@lifeafter407]

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

[@vaikingboy1]

From where did you get the lens

[@lifeafter407]

I bought it online direct from China

[@StereoVirtual]

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]

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]

@@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.

[@1AndyGarcia]

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

[@rmc7335]

Where did you purchase your lens?

[@lifeafter407]

Shopee, it’s kinda like alibaba/ali express

[@krmznn650tonu5]

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]

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.

[@kadulopes]

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]

Hi. Yeah, I’ve downloaded the camera footage to my mac after the lens replacement to make these KZbin 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]

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

[@romaric9874]

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

[@kadulopes]

@@romaric9874 Hey man, here a tutorial how to replace the lens of ONE X3 : kzbin.info/www/bejne/ronWkqJ_q7eXq9E

[@Edwin_Gan]

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

[@lifeafter407]

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

[@remzsolaszlo]

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]

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]

@@lifeafter407Great. Thank u so much :)

[@lifeafter407]

I did not use much glue on the 1st fix, dropped the camera again and the lens popped out 😂 kzbin.infoc9WqxkfyN4Y?si=a3rD5oJlNVXMYWUI

[@remzsolaszlo]

@@lifeafter407 Oh it's sad... I fixed the camera lens by gluing it a year ago, it was perfectly fine, but my camera was taken away by the salty sea a week ago :D somehow the water got in, so now it's completely ruined. :D Now, i looking a new camera... probable insta 360 X4.

[@lifeafter407]

​​⁠Yeah, I’m also looking at the X4. The X2 resolution is not enough but the X4 should at least give a 1080p video once cropped.

[@عزسع-ذ9ر]

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

[@lifeafter407]

I don’t have the X3 unfortunately 🙁

[@azizjunior5044]

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

[@lifeafter407]

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]

@@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..

[@godzuks]

Insta360 should make those lenses screw on/off

[@lifeafter407]

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.)

[@MACDRONEPRODUTORA]

Thanks for the video! I think I will buy a replacement lens and send my insta to a cellphone repair.

[@lifeafter407]

Thanks for watching!

[@jozefmalik3944]

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]

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!

[@Zenzenster]

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]

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.

[@malikhaidar]

somehow this video feels like from 2008.

[@hairiizaani5177]

Should use power suction. Go to any car detailing

[@lifeafter407]

I don’t think suction cups will work well on this, the fit and bond is really strong. Plus, the lens is curved. Thanks for the idea though, I could be wrong and someone out there may have done it that way. Open for comments

[@imanayAieR]

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]

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

[@etavasi]

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

[@lifeafter407]

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).

[@kadulopes]

If you are looking for how to replace lens of insta ONE X3, here a tutorial : kzbin.info/www/bejne/ronWkqJ_q7eXq9E

[@Jose.Ferreira]

Nice work👌 Thanks for sharing 👍

[@lifeafter407]

Thanks for watchin’ 🙂

[@im_tristupe]

Thank you. Gonna attempt on my OneX

[@lifeafter407]

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

[@Nick7538]

Good job, thanks for the Video man!

[@lifeafter407]

Thanks for watching 🙂

[@ashudixit100]

Lence price please

[@lifeafter407]

Close to USD40

[@KendyBeraldo]

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

[@lifeafter407]

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 :-)

[@myjpkl]

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

[@kevinleon6717]

for the same reason your eyeballs are balls and no cubes

[@Index-o1234]

Yes!! Thank you.

[@lifeafter407]

Thanks for watching. Have a good one!

[@vincentnavea6999]

why not just break the old lens instead?

[@lifeafter407]

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.

[@hidayataw8315]

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]

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 😁

[@arnoldezsray2815]

Baru mengundi ke boss?🤣🤣

[@lifeafter407]

Iyerr! 😇

[@miecim]

Good sharing..

[@lifeafter407]

Hope it's been helpful, thanks for watching.

[@Xtream_italieno]

Rip

[@PiuPassioneCheRagione]

Che disastro, per risparmiare qualche dollaro hai distrutto una Insta

[@lifeafter407]

No problemo amigo, mi insta no es mi baby 😁

[@clifp2do404]

terbaiikk bro

[@robertogarciagonzalez4567]

debería de titularse como destrozar una insta 360