RF-S7.8mm f/4 STM Dual: Take ‘Lifelike’ into a New Dimension with Spatial 3D
On 30 October 2024, Canon announced the RF-S7.8mm f/4 STM Dual lens, a new addition to the EOS VR System lineup. As the world’s first dedicated, interchangeable lens capable of capturing high-quality spatial photos and videos that can be experienced on the Apple Vision Pro, the RF-S7.8mm f/4 STM Dual provides content creators with a new tool for creative expression and storytelling.
The Apple Vision Pro spatial video experience with impeccable EOS image quality
Spatial videos allow users using Apple’s Vision Pro headset to enjoy lifelike 3D images where the scene and subjects appear to be right in front of you. Creating such images was previously possible only on iPhone 16 models and the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. With the release of the RF-S7.8mm f/4 STM Dual, Canon is the first camera manufacturer—and the first manufacturer other than Apple—to introduce gear with such capabilities.
Compatible with EOS R7 at launch, the RF-S7.8mm f/4 STM Dual enables creators to easily create breathtaking, high-quality spatial 3D photos and videos while retaining a higher degree of flexibility over their shoot settings. It records a pair of parallax images onto the camera’s CMOS sensor with its dual lenses, eliminating the need for camera position adjustments and synchronisation during shooting. The footage can then be easily converted into a spatial video format with the EOS VR Utility app, with no tedious stitching in post-production necessary.
Conceptual image of “spatial video”
Viewing 3D spatial video on the Apple Vision Pro brings your fondest memories with pets and loved ones to life with amazing realism.
What is the EOS VR System?
Canon’s EOS VR System addresses the virtual reality (VR) content production needs of diverse fields including entertainment, tourism, and education. It has attracted the attention of content production professionals due to its dramatic streamlining of the workflow for converting captured images to 3D VR footage via the EOS VR Utility software.
Since its December 2021 debut with the RF5.2mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye, the EOS VR System has expanded to include lenses that enable 3D VR content to be produced on APS-C format cameras starting from the EOS R7. The RF-S7.8mm f/4 STM Dual is the second such lens after the RF-S3.9mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye, and the third in the EOS VR System.
RF-S7.8mm f/4 STM Dual + EOS R7
Combining the RF-S7.8mm f/4 STM Dual with the 32.5-megapixel EOS R7 enables the capture of astoundingly detail-rich, high-definition 4K spatial 3D videos. Note: An update to a compatible camera firmware version is required.
Make memories come alive effortlessly
Small and lightweight for a 3D lens due to its straight-type, prism-less design, the RF-S7.8mm f/4 STM Dual weighs just 131g (approx.) and is around the same size as the RF50mm f/1.8 STM “nifty fifty”. It forms a portable travel and walkaround-friendly 743g (approx.) combination with the EOS R7 camera body, conducive for capturing one-of-a-kind images even of everyday moments.
Its dual lenses capture a 60°effective field of view, close to that of natural human vision. This results in a 3D Theatre experience, where the images’ realistic depth, dimension, and familiar field of view makes it feel like the subjects are right in front of you. The effect is different from the immersive 180°VR video produced by the RF-S3.9mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye where you feel like you are inside the scene.
Crisp, clear, images even when shooting close-ups
The RF-S7.8mm f/4 STM Dual boasts an extremely narrow IPD* of 11.8mm, which enables it to capture a proper, realistic 3D effect even when shooting at close range.
*Distance between the two lenses on the objective side.
Its 15cm closest focusing distance, where it achieves its 0.07x maximum magnification, allows you to comfortably capture scenes such as food, handicrafts, or even closeups of your beloved pet as it gets cosy near you.
Examples of possible subjects for close-up 3D videos
Miniature worlds
Food
Pets
Hair & makeup
A: UD lens elements
Excellent optics
Each lens unit is equipped with two UD lens elements that correct various aberrations, achieving clarity from the image centre to the peripheries.
Autofocus supported, just like on regular RF lenses
To ease the challenges of ensuring proper focus when shooting VR images, the RF-S7.8mm f/4 STM Dual is equipped with a gear-type STM autofocus (AF) mechanism that drives the left and right lenses in unison. Both One-Shot AF and Servo AF are available, and you can operate them just like you would on regular RF lenses. An advanced microprocessor controls the AF drive and works in tandem with the camera’s AF algorithm to realise fast, precise AF. The AF frame position can also be set remotely during remote shooting via the EOS Utility software or Camera Connect smartphone app.
Should the need arise, users can easily adjust the difference in focus between the left and right lenses by using the left-right focus differential adjustment mode switch and turning the focus/control ring.
Left-right focus differential adjustment mode switch
Slide and hold down this switch and turn the focus/control ring to adjust the focus differential between the left and right lenses. This will be necessary the first time you mount the lens on the camera, or after a long period of transportation or disuse.
Compatible with conventional 58mm circular filter
The lens takes a conventional 58mm screw-in filter in front, so you can quickly and conveniently attach an ND filter as needed when shooting in bright daylight.
Spatial 3D sample movie
Must be viewed with the Apple Vision Pro for intended results.
