Canon’s Budget-Friendly 3D Lens Available in November

Canon Announces New RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual Lens

Canon has officially announced its new RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual lens, featuring stereoscopic elements compactly packed into a body no larger than a traditional 2D camera lens. Unveiled during the Apple WWDC 2024 keynote, this lens is designed to complement the Canon EOS R7, providing an affordable solution for creators producing 3D VR content for headsets like the Meta Quest 3 and spatial videos for the Apple Vision Pro.

This innovative lens is set to be available in November 2024, with an estimated retail price of $449.99. Compared to Canon’s existing dual-fisheye lenses like the RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual priced at $1,999 and the RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual at $1,099, the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual lens offers a more budget-friendly option.

Affordability and Compatibility

Pairing the new 3D lens with Canon’s 32.5MP EOS R7 digital camera, priced starting at $1,299, brings the total kit price to over $1,700. However, this still remains a more cost-effective option compared to Canon’s premium 3D solutions, which can start at $2,498 and go up to $6,298 when combined with the necessary camera equipment.

The design of the lens prioritizes user-friendliness with minimal controls. Image: Canon

Key Features of the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual Lens

Featuring an aperture range of f/4.0 to f/16, autofocus support, and distinct manual focus controls for the left and right sides, the new 3D lens stands out for its affordability. While Canon’s premium lenses capture 180-degree content, the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual lens offers a field of view of 63 degrees.

The size of the lenses on Canon’s new 3D lens is notably smaller than those on its pricier models. Image: Canon

Optical Design and Functionality

Utilizing a standard Canon RF mount, the new lens incorporates stereoscopic elements aligned in a straight optical path, resulting in the lenses being positioned just 11.8mm apart. This contrasts with the 60mm gap in Canon’s existing 3D lenses, allowing for a strong 3D effect when capturing subjects within 6 to 20 inches.

Images and videos taken with the lens require processing before viewing on VR or AR headsets. This can be done through the EOS VR plugin for Adobe Premiere Pro or Canon’s EOS VR Utility software for Mac and PC, both offering 180-degree 3D, VR, or spatial video content.

FAQs

Q: When will the Canon RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual lens be available for purchase?

A: The lens is expected to be released in November 2024.

Q: What is the estimated retail price of the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual lens?

A: The lens is priced at $449.99, offering a more affordable option compared to Canon’s existing 3D lenses.

Q: How does the field of view of the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual lens compare to Canon’s premium 3D lenses?

A: The RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual lens has a field of view of 63 degrees, significantly narrower than the 180-degree capability of Canon’s higher-end lenses.

Q: What software is available for processing images and videos captured with the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual lens?

A: Users can utilize the EOS VR plugin for Adobe Premiere Pro or Canon’s EOS VR Utility software for Mac and PC to process content for viewing on VR and AR headsets.

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