Canon has unveiled its latest innovation in virtual reality (VR) technology with the launch of the RF-S3.9mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye lens.
Designed to make VR capabilities more accessible, this compact, lightweight lens supports APS-C cameras, specifically the EOS R7. Building on the success of the RF5.2mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye, this new lens aims to simplify the creation of high-resolution 3D VR photos and videos.
“Recognising price and complexity as potential barriers to VR content production, the innovative RF-S3.9mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye is geared as an accessible and convenient solution for aspiring content creators to capture VR content, empowering them to create immersive experiences,” said David Yeo, Senior Marketing Manager of Consumer Business at Canon Singapore.
“With the RF-S3.9mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye, we believe that it will foster a new era of creativity and exploration.”
Similar to its predecessor, the RF5.2mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye, the new lens features two fisheye lenses positioned apart to capture images with parallax simultaneously on a single image sensor.
This setup results in a 144° angle of view that can be converted into 180° 3D VR movies using Canon’s EOS VR Utility software or the EOS VR Plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro. The process eliminates the need for multiple cameras, simplifying the workflow and making high-quality VR content creation more affordable and accessible.
The RF-S3.9mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye is Canon’s first dual fisheye lens to support autofocusing (AF), featuring a dual-lens STM mechanism that drives both lenses in unison for swift and precise AF.
The lens includes an electronic focusing/control ring and a focus difference adjustment mode switch, allowing for easy fine-tuning of the left-right focus difference.
The RF-S3.9mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye will be available at Canon authorized dealers at a recommended retail price of $1,789 by the end of June, providing an exciting new tool for content creators to explore the possibilities of VR.