Nuked Hey there, tech enthusiasts! It’s your buddy Nuked here, ready to dive into the exciting world of Canon’s latest gadget. Buckle up, because we’ve got some 3D lens news that’ll make your creative juices flow!
Canon has just unveiled its latest offering, the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual lens, set to hit the shelves this November. This nifty little gadget packs stereoscopic elements into a compact design that’s about the same size as your regular 2D camera lens. First teased during the Apple WWDC 2024 keynote last June, it’s aimed at creators looking to make 3D VR content for headsets like the Meta Quest 3 or spatial videos for the Apple Vision Pro.
The exact release date is still under wraps, but Canon has hinted that we can expect it sometime in November 2024, with a wallet-friendly price tag of $449.99. That’s a steal compared to Canon’s pricier dual-fisheye lenses, which can run up to $1,999 for the RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual and $1,099 for the RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual.
When you pair this new 3D lens with Canon’s 32.5MP EOS R7 digital camera — starting at $1,299 — your total investment comes to over $1,700. Still, that’s a bargain compared to Canon’s high-end 3D options that start at $2,498 and can soar up to a staggering $6,298 when you factor in all the necessary gear.
This lens is designed with user-friendliness in mind, featuring an aperture range of f/4.0 to f/16 and autofocus support. It also includes a button and control wheel for manual focus adjustments on both sides. However, what keeps it budget-friendly is its narrower field of view; while Canon’s pricier lenses capture a full 180 degrees (almost like human vision!), the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual lens only takes in about 63 degrees.
The lenses themselves are much smaller than those on Canon’s premium models. Thanks to its standard Canon RF mount, the new lens has stereoscopic elements aligned in a straight optical path, with front lenses just 11.8mm apart—significantly less than the 60mm gap found in those fancy dual-fisheye setups. Consequently, the most striking 3D effects will be visible when capturing subjects within 6 to 20 inches from the lens; anything farther away will show a less dramatic effect.
Lastly, don’t forget that images and videos taken with this lens need some post-processing before you can enjoy them on VR or AR headsets. You can use the EOS VR plugin for Adobe Premiere Pro or Canon’s own EOS VR Utility software available for both Macs and PCs. Just keep in mind that both require a subscription but will allow you to create stunning 180-degree 3D content.
So there you have it! Get ready for some creative fun when this new lens drops! Happy shooting!
