RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE Overview

A new way to create VR content, in every way

Canon was the first to offer a high-resolution single sensor solution to creating VR content with the RF-5.2mm F2.8 L DUAL FISHEYE lens and the EOS R5 C camera. Being the first, naturally we had more time to study how people create VR content and find a way to offer the best of what people loved about that first lens at a reasonable price. At the same time, we wanted to address some of the issues that make compact 180º cameras difficult to use. The solution was to focus on affordable APS-C sensor cameras and build the system around that. This resulted in a high-quality, feature-rich lens that is compatible with an APS-C camera, is reasonably priced, and even the compatible VR software has been updated for a better workflow. Welcome to affordable high-quality VR content creation!

With this lens paired with an EOS R7(firmware 1.5.0+) camera, creatives, industry professionals and newcomers to VR can create an immersive experience, capturing dynamic scenes for entertainment, tourism, training & education, real estate, storytelling or anywhere you want to bring your audience to.

Carrying on the tradition of digital interchangeable lenses capable of enabling stereoscopic 3D 180° VR shooting to a single imaging sensor

The RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE lens is Canon's optical solution to the many challenges that have troubled VR image makers for years. This lens features a beautifully engineered and optimized folded optical design, with separate Left and Right optical systems — helping you capture stereoscopic 3D imagery with a 144° field of view to a single full-frame image sensor.

VR with Ease

Pairing just this one lens to an EOS R7 (firmware 1.5.0+) camera provides the capability of delivering a single file — creating a powerful and convenient solution compared to traditional VR systems which capture a 3D scene with two separate fisheye lenses, recording that imagery to two separate cameras or image sensors, which write two files. This can save the user time and effort behind the camera, and in post-production by helping to solve issues such as multi-camera positioning, multi-lens syncing, image stitching, audio syncing, encoding and more.

Canon's EOS VR System

Canon's EOS VR System is expanding and you now have two options of camera and lens combinations, but let’s not forget the third tripod leg of the EOS VR system, which is the software. The EOS VR Software Applications — The EOS VR Utility and EOS VR Plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro. This powerful and convenient combination provides much desired flexibility and efficiency, helping save you precious time accessing your content so you can prepare it and share it more quickly.

Camera Firmware

To help improve the user experience with the uniqueness of shooting with the RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE lens, special features have been added to the firmware to optimize VR shooting. This firmware provides metadata information for the software to convert the image from fisheye to equirectangular. One of the features enabled with the use of this lens is a "Magic Window" on-screen overlay, accessed by tapping the [INFO] button that assists the creator in framing the central resting position which shows an approximate field of view in the composition.

The pairing of this lens and an EOS R7 camera allows for recordings at up to 4K 30p equivalent resolution .

Canon Camera Connect and EOS Utility

For shooting remotely, the ability to monitor with features such as the "Magic Window" overlay, left/right lens viewing swap, and fisheye to equirectangular preview is available in the Canon Camera Connect app or when using EOS Utility software, making it easy to remotely view and record content.

EOS VR Utility and EOS VR Plugin

Canon's subscription-based software solutions are an integral part of Canon's EOS VR System, and have been updated to support the new RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE lens — The EOS VR Utility, a standalone software application, and the EOS VR Plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro allow two different workflow experiences for VR creators and studios. With either solution, conversion of the Dual Fisheye lens imagery to stereoscopic 3D 180° VR format in equirectangular imagery is possible, as well as the processing and exporting of the imagery at various resolutions and file formats so files can be viewed in compatible Head Mount Displays (such as the Meta Quest 2) and other VR viewing platforms.

Note: EOS VR Plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro supports: .JPEG Stills and .MP4 Video Files.

EOS VR Utility supports .JPEG Stills, .MP4 Video files, and .CRM RAW Files.

144° field of view and an interpupillary distance of 60mm

This lens is designed specifically to deliver outstanding stereoscopic 3D imagery. Featuring dual 3.9mm fisheye lenses positioned with 60mm of spacing between Left and Right Lens centers, it provides an interpupillary distance closely resembling human vision with a natural parallax for a powerful, immersive experience that brings the viewer to feel they are within the scene where the video or stills image takes place. With a 144° optical field of view, this provides the viewer the ability to change their viewing angle within the recorded scene, allowing them to look around with use of a compatible head mount display. The 144º field of view offers some distinct advantages for certain production situations. For example, pixel density* is increased and provides higher resolution even in 4K Fine mode. Another advantage is being able to use a tripod, gimbal or microphones and not having them end up in the shot.

* Pixel density refers to the number of pixels per unit (1º) viewing angle

Auto Focusing

Features a gear-type stepping motor (STM) with a dual-lens autofocus mechanism, which drives the left and right lenses in unison. This makes AF as simple to operate as with an ordinary RF lens. One feature of RF lenses that enhances operability is the electronic focusing/control ring. The left-right focus differential can be adjusted using the focusing/control ring and the left-right focus difference adjustment mode switch.

• The AF operates only on subjects within the image circle of the left lens.
• Servo AF is not available with this lens. Before starting to shoot a movie, the focus must be adjusted using One-shot AF or manual focus.

Convenient VR workflow

Simplify your workflow by eliminating the need to sync and stitch multiple video files. Canon's EOS VR Utility software can easily convert footage from dual fisheye to an equirectangular file that can be exported in various file formats and resolutions. For Adobe users, the EOS VR Plug-in allows for equirectangular conversion to be done within the Adobe Premiere Pro application. Now, conversion, editing, and colour grading can be done without leaving the Adobe ecosystem. Both paid subscription-based Canon software solutions allow for convenient post-production.

Impressive reduction of ghosting from use of Air Sphere Coating (ASC).

Canon's ASC technology decreases ghosting and reflections that may occur, when shooting in more challenging lighting conditions such as during strong backlight, providing versatility and more uniform colour balance in the scene.

Large aperture of f/3.5 to a deep depth of field of f/16

The RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE Lens is designed with dual optical systems with coordinated electronically controlled apertures. These provide a highly adaptable aperture range — allowing you to go from a bright f/2.8 aperture in low light shooting, to a deep depth of field of f/16 for more control of your exposure in brighter environments. Additionally, a 30.5mm screw-on filter can be attached at the rear of the lens, and a gelatin filter holder is located there as well, allowing optional cut gel or polyester filters to be used similarly to previous Ultra-wide angle Canon lens offerings.

Compact, lightweight and portable

Thanks to the RF mount and the folded optical design, the size and weight of this lens makes it easy to use — even when shooting in tight spaces — and easy to carry in a camera bag. The RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE Lens weighs well under a pound and is just slightly over 2 inches in depth from mount to the end of the front elements — creating an incredibly compact and lightweight solution.

Filters

The RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE Lens is designed to support filters in two ways. You can attach a 30.5mm screw-on filtert at the rear of the lens, as well as a filter holder for cut gel and polyester filters (also at the rear).