Camera
Canon introduces the RF-S 7.8mm F4 Dual lens for VR and spatial content creators
| Image: Canon |
Canon has announced the RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM Dual, the latest addition to its EOS VR System, designed for social media content creators and enthusiast videographers. It says the lens offers an affordable way to start exploring the world of VR and spatial content creation.
Canon told us previously that it expects a lot of growth in the VR space and that it’s seeing demand from creators for VR, 3D and spatial creation tools, and Apple teased the RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM Dual during its 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference keynote in June.
With a 7.8mm focal length and a 63º angle of view, Canon says the lens will capture photos and video using a square aspect ratio. Its stereoscopic lenses use a straight optical path that’s much less complex than those found in its more expensive RF-S 3.9mm F3.5mm STM and RF 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye lenses.
The interpupillary distance between the two lenses is 11.6mm, and the strongest spatial effects will occur with objects between about 15 and 50cm (6–20″) from the lens, so Canon says placing objects in the foreground will enhance the spatial effect. Where necessary, the focus/control ring can be used for fine left/right focus adjustments, and users can swap between the right and left views on the rear screen to confirm focus, though Canon suggests this isn’t something that needs to be done regularly.
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The RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM Dual mounted on the EOS R7.
Image: Canon |
After capturing video, users can use the EOS VR plug-in for Adobe Premiere to convert footage to 3D 180º VR or the EOS VR Utility software (subscription required) to convert footage into 3D 180º VR, 3D Theater, or spatial video for consumption on a device like the Apple Vision Pro or Meta Quest 3.
Canon says the lens was designed for simplicity and operates similarly to a standard 2D camera lens and that the $449 price reflects its intention to make it a cost-effective option for creators wanting to experiment with 3D or spatial content.
The RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM Dual is compatible with the EOS R7 running firmware 1.60.
Price and availability
The RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM Dual is expected to be available in November for a suggested retail price of $449.
Press release:
Canon Introduces the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL Lens: Expanding Capabilities for VR and 3D Content Creators.
MELVILLE, NY, October 30, 2024 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has announced the new RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens, designed for social media content creators and enthusiast videographers. Compatible with the Canon EOS R7 and the latest addition to the growing EOS VR System lineup, this innovative lens offers a practical and affordable way to explore storytelling in the expanding world of VR and 3D content creation.
Previewed at Apple’s WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) 2024 keynote, this lens has been crafted for those looking to explore new visual formats, particularly with the rising interest in spatial video content. The 7.8mm focal length and 60-degree angle of view provide an immersive field of vision, for capturing detailed 3D content, allowing creators to deliver captivating and lifelike visual experiences.
Making VR and 3D content creation accessible to a wider audience, Canon has designed the RF- S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens with a focus on simplicity. Even with its advanced features, the lens operates much like a traditional 2D RF-mount lens, with a straightforward workflow that empowers even newcomers to VR and spatial production to achieve impressive results. After capturing video with this interchangeable lens, users can leverage the EOS VR Plug-in for Adobe® Premiere® Pro to convert footage to 3D 180° VR, or the EOS VR Utility software (separately available with a paid subscription) to convert the footage into 3D 180° VR, 3D Theater, and spatial video ready to be experienced on devices like Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3, offering a seamless transition from camera to immersive viewing.
Compatible with the Canon EOS R7 camera body, the high-speed autofocus and high-resolution image sensor, coupled with Canon’s renowned color science, effortlessly captures detailed VR content and Spatial videos whether you’re shooting in controlled environments or on the go.
“With the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens, Canon is not only providing a new visual tool but also enhancing the way creators communicate using emerging VR, spatial and 3D technologies,” said Hiroto Kato, vice president, Imaging Products & Solutions at Canon U.S.A., Inc. “This lens allows users to capture immersive content, bridging the gap between traditional content creation and the latest in VR and Spatial imagery. It’s an exciting step forward in making high-quality 3D content more approachable for everyone.”
As the demand for VR content continues to climb, the need for user-friendly 3D imaging equipment becomes increasingly important. The RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens is designed to meet this demand, working seamlessly with devices from Apple Vision Pro to Meta Quest 3, lowering the barriers to creating 3D images, making immersive content more accessible for anyone, from casual hobbyists to dedicated enthusiasts.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens is scheduled to be available in November 2024 for an estimated retail price of $449.99*. For additional information, please visit www.usa.canon.com.
* Specifications, availability and prices are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.
Canon RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual specifications
| Principal specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens type | Prime lens |
| Max Format size | APS-C / DX |
| Focal length | 7.8 mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Lens mount | Canon RF |
| Aperture | |
| Maximum aperture | F4 |
| Aperture ring | No |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 7 |
| Optics | |
| Elements | 9 |
| Groups | 7 |
| Special elements / coatings | 2 UD lens elements |
| Focus | |
| Minimum focus | 0.15 m (5.91″) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.07× |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Motor type | Stepper motor |
| Full time manual | Yes |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Distance scale | No |
| DoF scale | No |
| Physical | |
| Weight | 131 g (0.29 lb) |
| Diameter | 69 mm (2.72″) |
| Length | 42 mm (1.63″) |
| Filter thread | 58 mm |
| Hood supplied | No |
| Tripod collar | No |
| Image: Apple |
Apple has announced its new suite of MacBook Pros, which now come equipped with the M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. The company is also making its ‘nano-texture’ matte display option available for the first time in its laptop lineup.
Apple says the new laptops also come with an upgraded webcam that supports Center Stage, a feature which crops in on the subject, keeping them in the middle of the frame even if they’re moving around.
The display can also now go up to 1,000 nits in SDR mode; previously, you could only attain that brightness while looking at HDR content. That should make it easier to see the monitor, even in harsh lighting conditions. If you consistently work outside or in front of a window, it may also be worth considering the $150 ‘nano-texture’ display option, which Apple says will “reduce glare and reflections in bright spaces.”
As with the previous generation, there’s one computer that stands a little apart from the others: the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the regular M4. It starts at $1,599 and includes a 10-core CPU and GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. While it has most of the features of the other models, it does miss out on Thunderbolt 5, instead getting stuck with the previous-generation connector.
The M4 Pro was announced yesterday alongside the refreshed Mac Mini, but the M4 Max is new to the lineup. CPU-wise, it starts at the same level as the top-end M4 Pro with 14 cores, but you can add two more. The GPU is also much more powerful; it starts at 32 cores and goes up to 40. This also allows it to support up to four external displays, while the M4 and M4 Pro models can only handle two.
The M4 Pro and Max models are available with both 14- and 16-inch displays; the base M4 is only available in the 14-inch chassis.
| M4 | M4 Pro | M4 Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 10 core (4 performance, 6 efficiency) | 12 core (8 performance, 4 efficiency) / 14 core (10 performance, 4 efficiency) | 14 core (10 performance, 4 efficiency) / 16 core (12 performance, 4 efficiency) |
| GPU | 10 core | 16 core / 20 core | 32 core / 40 core |
| Memory | 16GB base, up to 32GB | 24GB base, up to 48GB | 36GB base, up to 128GB |
| Storage | 512GB, up to 2TB | 512GB, up to 4TB | 1TB, up to 8TB |
| Connectivity | Thunderbolt 4 | Thunderbolt 5 | Thunderbolt 5 |
One minor disappointment that won’t surprise anyone who’s been following the iMac and Mac Mini announcements: the new MacBook Pros are still using Wi-Fi 6E instead of the newer Wi-Fi 7. It’s an easier flaw to overlook on desktop computers that mostly come equipped with Ethernet ports, but on a mobile-first computer, it’s a bit of a strange decision. Otherwise, the MacBook Pros have very similar connectivity to their predecessors: three Thunderbolt ports, a headphone jack, an HDMI port, an SD card reader and MagSafe power adapter.
The new MacBook Pros are available for pre-order today and will ship on November 8th.
Developing… this story will be updated.
| Image: Apple |
Apple has announced that the M2 and M3 MacBook Air will now come standard with 16GB of RAM, fixing a major flaw on otherwise great computers.
The laptops previously came with a restrictive 8GB of memory, forcing people to decide whether they wanted a computer that could struggle when multitasking or to pay the exorbitant $200 upgrade fee to jump to 16GB. Now, that’s no longer a consideration; the MacBook Air now just comes with double the RAM for the same starting price: $999 for the M2 model and $1099 for the M3-equipped version.
If this news has made you consider getting one – they are quite capable laptops for their price and can handle a fair amount of photo editing – you should be a bit cautious. 8GB models will likely still be floating around at various retailers for a while. At the time of writing, Best Buy is currently selling a 13-inch M3 MacBook Air with a lower amount of RAM for $1,099, the same price as the 16GB model now costs from Apple.
| Image: Apple |
Apple has announced its new suite of MacBook Pros, which now come equipped with the M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. The company is also making its ‘nano-texture’ matte display option available for the first time in its laptop lineup.
Apple says the new laptops also come with an upgraded webcam that supports Center Stage, a feature that crops in on the subject, keeping them in the middle of the frame even if they’re moving around.
The display can also now go up to 1,000 nits in SDR mode; previously, you could only attain that brightness while looking at HDR content. That should make it easier to see the monitor, even in harsh lighting conditions. If you’re consistently working outside or in front of a window, it may also be worth considering the $150 ‘nano-texture’ display option, which Apple says will “reduce glare and reflections in bright spaces.”
As with the previous generation, there’s one computer that stands a little apart from the others: the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the regular M4. It starts at $1,599, and includes a 10-core CPU and GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. While it has most of the features of the other models, it does miss out on Thunderbolt 5, instead getting stuck with the previous-generation connector.
The M4 Pro was announced yesterday alongside the refreshed Mac Mini, but the M4 Max is new to the lineup.
The new MacBook Pros are available for pre-order today, and will ship on November 8th.
Developing… this story will be updated.
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