In the ever-evolving world of mixed reality, seamlessly integrating physical and digital objects remains a challenge with current technologies. Typically, viewing a standard photo or video in a virtual environment is like watching a TV floating in front of you—a format that fails to fully capture the immersive potential of mixed reality. However, the landscape is changing with the introduction of more accessible tools that promise to transform content creation without the need for expensive new purchases.
To create a stereoscopic 3D video effect that doesn’t look fake, you typically need multiple cameras working in sync or a camera that records in 3D from the outset. Since there isn’t a huge demand for the latter, 3D or spatial cameras are rare and expensive. More importantly, they require you to set aside your existing cameras and switch to something unfamiliar and potentially less capable than your professional DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Canon’s solution is to equip its interchangeable lens cameras with optics designed to take photos or record videos directly in stereoscopic 3D or spatial video. This means using two lenses, which is what the upcoming RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens will offer. Details on this particular lens are still sparse, other than it’s designed with the Apple Vision Pro in mind, particularly its new Immersive Video capability. Best of all, this lens is compatible with existing cameras, although so far only the Canon EOS R7 has been named.
The RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens is also compatible with Canon’s own EOS VR system, as is a slightly odder RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE lens, also for the Canon EOS R7. As the name suggests, the lenses for this module are farther apart, allowing for a wider field of vision and a deeper 3D effect. It does make your camera look weird and could potentially block easy access to the grip or buttons on the front of the camera.
At $1,099, the RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s also within reach of pro content creators. More importantly, they won’t need to buy another camera and can stick with the powerful Canon EOS R7, assuming they already own this model. The price for the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL for the Apple Vision Pro will most likely be revealed closer to its launch this fall.
