Canon’s new fisheye lens captures the world in 180°

Canon just got even more immersive: The Japanese company created its own EOS-R system for VR capture and also announced a new RF 5.2mm F2.8 L dual fisheye lens. It’s the first interchangeable VR lens in the range, Canon announced. It’s specially designed to make it easy to set up and take 180-degree VR videos and photos with the EOS R5. This helps produce 3D content for VR creators and professional apps. In addition, the Canon EOS VR system now comes with Canon VR developer software: the EOS VR plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro.

180 degree VR with only one sensor

Back to the lens: According to the manufacturer, it provides a 180-degree field of view and allows two images to be projected onto the camera’s single sensor. Thus, the lens is suitable for VR capture, as Canon continues to write. The company also promises that the identical features of both images will prevent deviations in image quality and exposure. The fish-eye lens also contains two electromagnetic membranes (EMD). Additional features are the optical folding design, 60mm lens kits as well as two UD elements for each individual lens.

The Canon 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens from Canon is suitable for backlit shots thanks to its SWC coating. Apart from that, it also has in-store gelatin filter holder for advanced ND gelatin filters, also from third party suppliers. The manual focus peaking function of the EOS R5 provides manual focus in which focus areas are focused. The lens also has an f/2.8 speed and high ISO sensitivity.

The lens allows viewing of two images with only one camera and one sensor. (Source: Canon)

EOS-VR and its benefits

With the new EOS-VR system, the lens is attached to the camera. Lens alignment is not required as promised by Canon. The software or plug-in is designed to convert the 190-degree stereoscopic field of view.

The EOS-VR utility application and the EOS-VR plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro will convert images for fish-eye images into a more 180-degree isometric VR format. The quality after editing photos and videos is still the same. According to Canon, the remote control utility app can also be used during recording.

The Canon RF RF 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Lens will be available from December at CHF 2,189.

Capture 180 degrees in virtual reality with Canon’s new fisheye lens. (Source: Canon)

Main Features of EOS VR:

• Simplified 180-degree VR setup and capture in a compact form

• Professional picture quality with 8k output

• Single image file ensures efficient post-production workflow

• EOS VR Utility 3.4 simplifies the image conversion process

• The EOS VR Plug-in 3.4 integrates as an add-on into Adobe Premiere Pro

Canon 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Lens RF Fisheye Lens Key Features:

• Two Fisheye Lenses for VR Capture 180° Holographic Viewing Angle 190°

• f/2.8 . high aperture design

• Two UD elements per lens

• SWC-Vergütung (Sub-Wavelength Structure Coating)

• Electromagnetic synchronous and controlled (EMD) shutters

Canon also launched a telephoto zoom lens and an ultra-wide-angle prime lens for the EOS-R system. You can read more about it here.