You may know Markus Hofstätter for some of his amazing large-format photography projects, as well as vintage camera and lens repairs and uses. However, he also comes up with cool 3D-printed stuff, and this time it’s a custom Leica M mount for the Insta360 Go. This helps to give you a unique, stabilized perspective if you record your street, landscape, wedding and other photography sessions. And there’s a bonus: capture both horizontal and vertical footage in one shot. In his latest video, Markus shares how built this compact, low-key setup around the Insta360 Go.
Why Mount the Insta360 Go On a Leica?
The idea came to Markus after watching The Real Sir Robin’s street photography videos. He loved the dynamic, immersive viewpoint and wanted to recreate something similar. But, he wanted to give it more stability and flexibility. That’s where the Insta360 Go 3 ($270) comes in.
This tiny action cam records both horizontal and vertical video at the same time and uses a magnetic mounting system. Markus says he wanted a mount that feels low-profile, keeps the lens visible, and doesn’t interfere with shooting. His 3D-printed solution does all that and even lets him rotate the Insta360 Go without changing the composition of the shot.
Designing and Printing the Insta360 Go Leica Mount
Markus walks through how he designed several different mount versions to suit various Leica models. His goal was to keep the classic rangefinder experience intact while still getting great video from the Insta360 Go. Some of his designs even include a thumb grip to make handling more comfortable.
Now, magnets are essential for this setup. The Insta360 Go attaches securely to the 3D-printed mount using 10mm diameter, 3mm thick magnets. Markus recommends first placing the magnets on the Insta360 Go itself to make sure you get the orientation right before gluing them into the mount.
He uses PTIC glue, but mentions that super glue works just as well. For a nice finishing touch, he repurposes medium format film backing to cover the magnets. It’s a stylish way to hide the glue spots and give the mount a cleaner look.
Protecting Your Leica While Mounting the Insta360 Go
To prevent scratches on his Leica camera bodies, Markus adds felt pads to the inside of each 3D-printed mount. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference when you’re attaching and removing the Insta360 Go regularly.
Compatible Mounts for Different Cameras
Markus has designed several versions of the Insta360 Go mount to fit a range of Leica cameras:
- For the Leica M2, you can slide it onto the hot shoe or use a version with a thumb grip.
- For the Leica M11, you can use the M2 version, a universal version, or one that includes a built-in grip.
- For other camera brands like Canon or Mamiya, he created centered and offset versions so the Insta360 Go lens can align with or shift from the camera lens. He says this makes the viewfinder experience better on some models.
Mounting and Using the Insta360 Go
Next, Markus shows just how easily the Insta360 Go snaps into place. When using it in his darkroom, he covers it with black tape to avoid light leaks. Removing it is just as simple—just press from the back and pop it out. On the Leica M2, he demonstrates that the mount holds the Insta360 Go securely. He’s confident there’s no chance the camera will fall out accidentally. In the video, you can also see his brief guidance for editing the Insta360 Go videos, and if you’re new or relatively new to it, I’m sure you’ll find it helpful too.
And now, if you want to try this yourself, Markus shares all his print files on Maker World. So if you’ve got a 3D printer and an Insta360 Go, you’re ready to give it a shot.
About Markus
Markus Hofstätter is a professional portrait, events, and sports photographer based in Austria. He has a passion for analog and wet plate photography. He loves traveling to visit new places and meeting new people. You can find out more about him on his website or blog, follow his work on Instagram or Facebook, or reach out to him through Twitter. You’ll find his prints here, some awesome merch here, and you can support him on Buy Me a Coffee and Patreon.
