This is a new type of RF lens disclosed by a Japanese company. With its RF 5.2 mm f/2.8L DUAL FISHEYE, Canon is moving into VR content creation.”The world’s first interchangeable lens for single-sensor cameras, providing VR180 stereo filming.” Canon’s newest RF lens, which has nothing to do with traditional optics, is described in these terms. The DUAL FISHEYE is part of the EOS VR Technology, a unique new system devoted to virtual reality that Canon introduced jointly. The company released the EOS VR Utility software solution and an EOS VR Plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro to round out its offering. What can be done to boost VR production?

Canon has made its VR debut and has revealed several new features.

As the name indicates, the DUAL FISHEYE is a lens with an extremely small focal length: just 5.2 mm for a maximum aperture of f/2.8. The two “eyes” of the Canon lens are 60 mm apart and capable of shooting images and movies in VR180 format, or at 180°.

Although the DUAL FISHEYE has the distinctive red border of Canon lenses, it should be noted that it is presently only compatible with the EOS R5. It will, however, be able to make use of the manufacturer’s star hybrid camera’s capabilities and shoot up to 8K. Canon also announced the release of a firmware upgrade for the R5 to version 1.5.0 at the time of the announcement.

Will the company be able to persuade its customers to produce virtual reality content? Although the applications for this sort of lens are currently restricted, this equipment can only assist. Canon is interested in VR headsets, mainly the Oculus Quest 2: “You may produce an immersive 3D that can be enjoyed on a suitable media such the Oculus Quest 2, and more,” according to Canon USA. The RF 5.2mm f/2.8L DUAL FISHEYE, with an RRP of 2,199.99 euros, will be available at the end of December 2021.

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