New Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 Fisheye
Canon just announced a brand new EOS VR System, in conjunction with their WILDLY unique RF 5.2mm f/2.8 lens. Now, I know the first thought on everyone’s mind… Can I strap this to my Roomba and call it WALL-E? Yes, you absolutely can. Should you? Well, that’s for you to decide… but yes you probably should.
The lens is slated to be the worlds first mirrorless interchangeable lens capable of producing 180 degree stereoscopic VR imagery in 3D… I mean, 3D stereoscopic turkey dinners at grandmas?!? Why the hell not?? Canon plans to release a firmware upgrade for its most popular mirrorless body the EOS R5, as well as a separate utility software from Canon which they’ve dubbed “The Canon EOS VR System” incase you couldn’t have guessed that one on your own (I know, I know, you already did and you’re way ahead of me. Good for you). The dual lenses are separated by a 60mm space to replicate a comfortable parallax that we humans see (sorry hammerhead sharks, maybe next year)
One thing to note is that this lens is ONLY intended for use with the EOS R5, so to any R6 users out there… Sorry, grandma will just have to be disappointed again this year. I guess you’re not getting that meatloaf.
The “EOS VR System” will also be available as a subscription service with an anticipated price tag of $5.00 / month. I’m sure everyone is excited to add another subscription service on to their Kris Kringle length of subscriptions.
But hey, if you can justify it, then why not!? For you video shooters out there, Adobe Premier Pro will also have an available plugin that can "convert the dual fisheye imagery to equirectangular, while allowing the ability to cut, color, and edit with the full control of Premiere Pro," canon was quoted as saying.
I really enjoy all of the new exciting things this new Mirrorless system is delivering, especially the razor sharp details of the RF / R5 combination that pixel peepers are jump’n in their jammies for. I imagine this new combination will deliver the same tantalizing results we’re growing accustomed to.
We can expect to see this bad boy come with a pretty standard RF mirrorless price tag of $1999 USD, which if you’re anything like me you are sadly accustomed to. If you’re Canadian like me, don’t worry, I think Canon will start offering a Kidney trade in service for new glass. Pretty sweet!!
