Canon USA has revealed its first entry in the immersive filmmaking industry with its RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye camera lens, the company announced on Wednesday.
The world’s first digital swappable dual fisheye lens will allow photographers and filmmakers to shoot virtual reality (VR) stereoscopic 3D images and video on the company’s EOS R5 camera stock.
The Dual-Fisheye lens can capture 180 degrees of VR images in a single shot, providing seamless VR images for both experienced and novel photographers.
The new lens requires compatible VR headsets such as the Oculus Quest 2 to view immersive content.
Tatsuro Kano, Executive Vice-President and General Manager of Canon USA’s Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, said the firm’s commitment to innovation led to the Dual Fisheye lens.
Mr Kano continued, stating,
“As Canon’s first entry into the world of virtual reality image capture, the EOS VR System represents an important milestone in our company’s rich history as a lens manufacturer and welcomes a bright future for VR content creation. This new RF lens produces a stunning 8K virtual reality image and sets itself apart through its simplified workflow. Our goal is to make immersive storytelling more accessible for all”
Powerful Features, Compact Design
According to Canon, the new lens has “high-quality L-series optics” with interpupillary distances of 60mm for capturing 3D VR images, a 190 degree field of video captured on two separate optical systems, and subwavelength coating technology for flare control in backlit settings.
The lens design also provides maximum apertures from f/2.8 to a deep depth of of f/16, and is dust and water resistant for filming in more adverse weather conditions.
The EOS VR system also facilitates stitching and synching with single image file outputs. The firm also plans to develop its EOS VR Utility, a two subscription-based software solutions for post-production.
The Utility will also allow image conversions for quick edits as well as resolution and file format type selection for exports. Content creators will also have access to a further plugin for Adobe Premiere Pro to edit images using Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
Canon’s latest innovations are set to launch in late December and will cost $1,999 USD. Customers interested in more information can visit usa.canon.com for further enquiries.
The announcement comes just weeks after XR Today interviewed Gary Yost, veteran filmmaker and creator of both The Yost Group, which developed and created the Autodesk 3DS MAX platform, and WisdomVR, a stereoscopic 360 video group aimed at capturing prolific stories across the world in VR.
Mr Yost shared his experiences with using the Z Cam v1 Pro, one of the world’s most elusive and high-end cameras, used to film his ‘Inside COVID-19’ Emmy-nominated VR documentary.
