The Japanese firm has presented a new lens for its R system of mirrorless full frame, but it is not a common optics but a lens designed for “capture the world in stunning virtual reality” Shape “simplest and most optimized possible“with an objective that they present as revolutionary. We speak of Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8L Dual Fisheye.
It’s about a 180 ° 3D virtual reality lens, with a stereoscopic design that stands out for its dual fisheye lens and an ultra-wide viewing angle of 190 degree, “which is the foundation of its stereoscopic VR imaging capabilities. Canon’s advanced optical design allows two images to be projected onto the camera’s single sensor, for perfect alignment and synchronization directly from the camera. By using the lens in this way, VR setup is easier than with a two-camera system“.
“When capturing two images on a single sensor —The press release continues— both offer the same performance characteristics, thus avoiding subtle variations, such as image quality and exposure, that can occur in other two-sensor systems. Additionally, the two electromagnetic diaphragms (EMD), one for each lens, can also be precisely controlled to maintain consistent exposure across the sensor, helping to reduce gradation in post-production and the knowledge needed to match the final result of the image on the left and right“.
This new optics belongs to family L (the most exclusive in Canon lenses, designed for professionals) and thanks to this it uses two UD lenses for each of the objectives, “which helps to produce clear and sharp images from one edge of the image to the other“. It also has the SWC coating which, always according to Canon, “Suppresses stray lights and optical veil, a frequent situation when working on VR recordings“.
Another interesting feature is the inclusion of a holder for gelatin filters located on the back, which makes it possible to use ND filters from any manufacturer “to maintain ‘normal’ shutter speeds and apertures when shooting in bright conditions“. On the other hand, the target has”a clever folding optical design and 60mm baseline length for natural-looking vision and boasts a compact design that translates into measures of 121.1×83.6×53.52 mm and a weight of 350 grams.
A new system for VR
The new optics have been designed to “take advantage of the excellent capabilities of the RF mount“, and it would be the first item of the new “EOS VR System”, arising “in response to the demand for high quality 180º VR (3D) content“. According to Canon,”With the adoption of VR technology booming in many sectors, including training, sports, live activities and documentaries, the brand’s new offering simplifies the entire process of recording stereoscopic images 180º VR, as well as its post-production . The EOS VR System’s ability to create an immersive experience brings viewers to the center of the action, delivering professional image quality and higher levels of realism“.
This system also includes the new application Canon EOS VR Utility, and the plugin EOS VR Plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro, with which they pretend simplify the post-production process 180º VR, “empowering content creators’ experience from start to finish“And it is that, as they tell us,”The image conversion process is usually one of the most complicated and time-consuming tasks in creating VR content“, but thanks this system”It is very easy to go from a double circular fisheye image to a 180º VR format with equirectangular side-to-side projection.“.
“With these additional solutions, videos and photos can be easily processed and exported in different resolutions and (professional) codecs, up to 8K file size for video content, designed for post-production editing and / or final playback. in suitable virtual reality glasses“.
The new Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens has been designed for use on the Canon EOS R5. Thanks to 8K full-format sensor of this camera, in conjunction with the new optics, promise “High-resolution 180º VR recordings with a high dynamic range, using Canon Log / Log 3. Its fast f / 2.8 aperture, along with the EOS R5’s ability to use high ISO sensitivities, allow for excellent results in low light, which which provides content creators the opportunity to shoot in a wider range of situations“.
Therefore, with this camera pair more objective they intend to offer a solution for creating 3D content that “more practical for both today’s VR content creators, professional production companies and professionals who are thinking of entering the VR market with a more efficient system“.
Price and availability
Canon Europe has not provided details on when it will arrive in stores or its sale price, but on the North American website they say that it will be launched at the end of next month of December with a price of $ 1,999.
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