Canon has announced a new virtual reality capture solution called the EOS VR SYSTEM, which is compatible with the EOS R5.
Canon’s EOS VR System also includes a new RF 5.2mm F2.8L DUAL FISHEYE lens, which has been developed in response to demand for high-quality 3D 180° VR content. With the adoption of VR technology on the rise across many sectors such as training, travel, sports, live events, and documentaries, Canon’s new offering simplifies the whole process of stereoscopic 180° VR capture and post-production.
Dual lens capture isn’t anything new. Companies such as Panasonic were doing it almost a decade ago with cameras such as the AG-3DA1.
Affordable VR capture solutions such as the insta360 ONE R and Dual-Lens 360 Mod also feature a dual-lens set-up.
However, the Canon solution lets you work at a lot higher resolutions which is always better for VR and 3D capture.
Key features EOS VR SYSTEM:
- Simplified 180° VR setup and capture in a compact form
- Professional grade image quality, with 8K file size output
- A single image file enables an efficient workflow in post-production
- EOS VR Utilitysimplifies image conversion
- EOS VR Plug-in integrates with Adobe Premiere Pro
Key features Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8L DUAL FISHEYE lens:
- Dual Fisheye lenses for 180° VR stereoscopic capture and 190-degree field of view
- Compact, lightweight design with f/2.8 aperture
- Two UD elements per lens
- Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC)
- Precisely synchronized and controlled EMD units
Along with the Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8L Dual Fisheye lens, Canon’s EOS VR SYSTEM also includes a newly developed Canon VR software application (EOS VR Utility) and plug-in (EOS VR Plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro) to streamline the 180° VR post-production process, enhancing content creators’ experience from input to output.
RF 5.2mm F2.8L Dual Fisheye
The Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8L Dual fisheye features dual forward-facing fisheye lenses that have an ultra-wide 190-degree field of view which form the basis of its stereoscopic VR capture capability. Canon’s lens design then enables the projection of two images onto the camera’s single sensor for perfect alignment and synchronization straight out of the camera. By utilizing the lens in this way, a VR setup is simpler than a two-camera system.
Capturing two images on a single sensor also means that both images have the same performance characteristics, avoiding subtle variances such as image quality and exposure that other two sensor systems can suffer from. Additionally, the two EMD (aperture) units, one for each lens, are also finely controlled to maintain a consistent exposure onto the sensor – helping to reduce post-production grading and expertise required to match the left and right image output.
The compact lens features a clever folding optical design and a baseline distance of 60mm for a natural-looking view.
The stereoscopic RF 5.2mm F2.8L Dual Fisheye lens utilizes two UD elements per lens, which Canon claims helps to produce sharp clear images, from edge-to-edge. An SWC coating is ideal for shooting with the sun in the frame, as it suppresses ghosting and flare of sunlight, which is a commonly encountered shooting condition in VR capture.
Featuring a gelatin holder across the rear elements, users can leverage third-party gelatin ND filters to maintain ‘normal’ shutter speeds and apertures when shooting in bright conditions. The MF Peaking function in the EOS R5 provides simple assisted manual focusing.
When using the EOS R5’s 8K Full Frame sensor, the Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8L Dual Fisheye lens can achieve high resolution 180° VR capture
EOS VR System
The EOS VR System uses the Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8L Dual Fisheye lens on a single sensor camera where no lens alignment is required. This means that only one file is produced for both the left and right images so you get perfect synchronization. This allows the Canon software or plug-in to accurately convert the captured dual circular fisheye format to a standard 180° VR format, ready for further editing in Adobe Premiere Pro or viewing on a VR headset.
Canon’s updated EOS Utility and Camera Connect App will also provide remote control and live image preview whilst capturing content.
Price & Availability
Pricing will be set at dealer discretion. In Australia, it will retail for $3849.00 AU and it will be available in December.
