Canon is introducing a new fisheye lens for its EOS R System which can be used to create 3D virtual reality footage.
The RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual Fisheye is an APS-C virtual reality (VR) lens and sits alongside the company’s existing RF 5.2mm F2.8L Dual Fisheye.
It includes two separate lenses which are positioned side by side to simulate human binocular vision, said Canon. Each lens captures an image from a slightly different perspective, creating two separate images that correspond to the views from the left and right eyes. This stereoscopic effect enables depth perception in VR, making the experience more immersive.
According to Canon, the RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual Fisheye provides users with a new 144-degree recording angle producing a narrower field of view compared to VR180 shooting.
This, alongside the large depth of field, makes it easy for users to set up and keep attention on their subject – with less concern about supporting equipment, such as lighting or tripods making it into the shot, added the company.
The focus ring, which can be assigned to another function, such as aperture or ISO for practical shooting solutions, helps users stay fully immersed in the action. The lens also includes a One Shot Autofocus (AF) setting to further simplify the creation process.
Content captured by the lens can be viewed in a headset, with the 144-degree viewing angle resulting in a natural, forward-facing view that uses peripheral vision to fully immerse the viewer. When viewed through a compatible headset, simulations also benefit from the lens’ 60mm interpupillary distance, which closely resembles human vision – providing a realistic 3D effect for subjects, added Canon.
