Scope Cam Evolved: A Hajimoto & Side-Shot Collaboration

Has anyone else notice when you go from one scope to another the focus is off.

I did not expect that.

Ive been fooling with my hero7 black with the 12 lens and it seems to me the best way to focus this thing is to point the scope up into a cloudy sky and focus the camera on the reticle (as noted this will change gun to gun scope to scope). Once that is accomplished put the camera back into the side shot holder and start to film while you are filming use your paralex to focus at your intended target distance.

Now I assume I am doing this correctly. If not let me know. Seems this is what has worked best for me . 

Hello, I am interested in buying one of those lenses, and I would like to know how it went with the 8.25mm, and if you can share images, greetings!

I just ordered one these on November 28th and when I got the package, the camera was missing. Haji responded quickly and took care of me with regards to the order. Thank you.

Max115 said:

Fantastic advice Haj. I have found something similar online with the settings but your explanation on each setting make a lot of sense. I will definitely try them out. Unfortunately with the rain that we are having this week, i wouldn’t be able to test it out as my understanding with GoPro is that lighting needs to be sufficient to have good footages.

i have made some progress with the lens adjustments to get better images but still not 100% satisfied. Hopefully with the new settings, I will get the result I am looking for.

thank you HaJ!

alex

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Hajimoto said:

@Slothy I would recommend setting a target up at 25 yards, set your scope zoom to half its range, focus the target through the scope so it is absolutely crystal clear to the eye and then begin your lens adjustments using a video feed to a tablet, Smartphone or computer monitor so you have a larger review image to guarantee you have the image in the camera as sharp as it can be. I would recommend you review my other post that details GoPro settings and speaks to the Shutter and ISO settings. That post is located HERE it is on page three of the thread we are currently in.

The lens adjustments are very very small, no large twists just little nudges and review, nudge and review until the target is as clear as the crosshair. It takes patience to find that sweet spot but once you have it, the video image will be glorious!

Good luck!

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I know these tips are five years old, but I wanted to join this forum and give a huuuge shout out to Hajimoto.

I am a powder burner, but I have a side shot and GoPro Hero 4 that I've been trying to record clear footage with since 2021. My lens is an aftermarket Peau Productions 14mm f/3.0 74d HFOV 5MP (No Distortion) lens. I was never able to get the crosshsirs in focus AND the image in focus. Luckily, I just found this post and Hajimoto's awesome tips.

I first adjusted the camera protune settings as suggested in his earlier post on this thread. GoPro Hero 4 doesn't have an integral screen and checking adjustments was a bear. One of Hajimoto's posts suggested to dremel a window in the side shot housing to allow a video cable to be plugged in. I did this and it worked like a champ. Hooked up my side shot to my scoped rifle and plugged the GoPro output to a monitor next to the rifle.

Next, I ran the ocular all the way in to eliminate it as a variable. I then used the variable focus to focus on an object about 25yds away until it was crystal clear to my eye. Then I made tiny adjustments to the lens until the the image in the monitor was clear as well. Of course I had to take the camera out of the side shot housing each time I made an adjustment to the lens, but using a monitor was much easier than having to remove the SD card and check the video on a computer.

Once the image was clear at 25yds, I adjusted the ocular so the crosshairs were clear both in the image and to my eye. That took a bit of adjusting but it was made easy using the image feedback on the monitor.

Lastly I checked image clarity by aiming at an object about 100yds away. I adjusted the variable focus on the scope so the image was clear to my eye and lo and behold, the image AND reticle were clear on the monitor. Perfect!

Can't wait to use it on my upcoming squeak shoot here in NorCal.

THANKS HAJIMOTO!

Best regards,
Strafer

Hey Strafer, glad you got it sorted out. Having the cross hair out of focus is very annoying especially watching the playback videos afterwards.

I don't have a small external monitor to check the clarity of the cross hair while using the GoPro/sideshot. It is true that your eyes and the GoPro lens do not always "see" the image clearly.

This is my method. It is a long process but it works for me. I turned the ocular lens all the way in (clockwise) then I wrap a piece of painter's tape on the edge of the eyepiece. I would start the recording for 5 seconds then I would turn the ocular lens to the left (counterclockwise) to the next node on the eyepiece and mark a line. I would record another 5 seconds and continue to turn and mark lines. I would then check the recording on my computer after 10 lines and see which marking position gives me the clearest cross hair focus. I would repeat the whole process and do another 10 lines or more until the cross hair starting to get out of focus again. Then you would know you have gone too far.

Pick the best range of markings and retest again to see which ocular position gives YOU the best clarity. Once you found that spot, put a red marker on the eyepiece on the centre/top so you can always turn it back into position in case it got moved.

After that, you just have to make sure your parallax focus is correct for the distance you are shooting at to get the best clarity recorded footages.