RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL Overview

Simple, straight path optics

Canon was the first to offer a high-resolution single sensor solution for creating VR content with the RF-5.2mm F2.8 L DUAL lens, and it was no small feat. In order to get so many high-quality lenses into a compact body, and ensure the final image was directed to one image sensor, a folded optical path with prisms was used. This is an elegant and effective solution, but not a low cost one. We have been able to apply all of our lens making knowledge from over the decades, and everything we learned from that first VR lens we introduced, so that we were able to create an efficient straight-path optical design with fewer lenses which reduces weight and increases quality, and at a price within reach of most content creators.

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 multiple 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 is our first lens to offer “Spatial” video as well as traditional 3D files, and the EOS VR Utility will be able to output those formats. 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.

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-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL 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.

EOS VR Utility allows for output of multiple formats like 3D 180°, 3D Theater, 8:9, 16:9, full capture, and Spatial (1:1) video.

EOS VR Plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro enables editing and stereoscopic image conversion processing and exporting in 3D 180º format at various resolutions and file formats.

3D 180º, and 3D Theater can be viewed in compatible Head Mount Displays (such as the Meta Quest 3) and other VR viewing platforms.

Spatial Video can be viewed in Apple Vision Pro.

* 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. 

60° field of view and an interpupillary distance of 11.8mm

This lens is designed specifically to deliver outstanding stereoscopic 3D imagery. Featuring dual 7.8mm lenses positioned with 11.8mm 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 still image takes place. A 60° optical field of view 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. You can also enjoy taking close-up images without distortion.

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

Auto Focusing

Featuring 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.

Large aperture of F4 to a deep depth of field of F16

The RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL Lens is designed with dual optical systems with coordinated electronically controlled apertures. These provide a highly adaptable aperture range — allowing you to go from an F4 aperture, to a deep depth of field of F16 for more control of your exposure in brighter environments. Additionally, since both lenses are contained in a standard lens housing, it has a 58mm front screw thread for filters.

Camera Firmware

To help improve the user experience with the uniqueness of shooting with the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL 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 video recordings at up to 4K 60p equivalent resolution, or 7K oversampled video at 4K 30p.

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.