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Home Photography Lenses Mirrorless Lenses Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8L

Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye 3D VR Lens

Name: Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye 3D VR Lens
Brand: Canon
SKU: CA5228L
Price: 1799.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3.7 (6 reviews)

BH #CA5228L • MFR #5554C002

6 reviews

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Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye 3D VR Lens

Key Features

RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/16
Captures Stereoscopic 3D 180° VR imagery
Two Ultra-Low Dispersion Elements

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Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8L Overview

1Description
23D 180° VR Capture
3VR with Ease
4EOS R5 Camera with Updated Firmware (Version 1.5.0 or Later)
5Canon's EOS VR System
6Stereoscopic 3D Imagery
7Dual-Synchronized Electro-Magnetic Diaphragm
8L-Series Lens Elements
9Subwavelength Structure Coating (SSC)
10Manual Focusing
11Large Aperture
12Compact, Lightweight, and Portable
13Dust- and Water-Resistant Sealing with Fluorine Coating

Unlock new dimensions in visual storytelling with the RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye 3D VR from Canon. Currently compatible with the EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital Camera, this L-series lens is the world's first digital interchangeable lens that can capture stereoscopic 3D 180° VR imagery to a single image sensor. The dual high-performance L-series fisheye lenses combine imagery onto a single image sensor delivering impressive results to a single file. This helps simplify your workflow by eliminating the need to sync and stitch multiple video files. Creators can go from traditional stills or video shooting to stereoscopic 3D capture with a simple lens swap, and the pairing of this lens with the EOS R5 provides for high resolution video recording at up to DCI 8K 30fps and DCI 4K 60 fps.

With firmware 1.5.0 or higher and one of Canon's VR software solutions, you can create immersive 3D that can be experienced when viewed on compatible head mount displays including the Oculus Quest 2 and more. Viewers will be able to take in the scene with a vivid, wide field of view by simply moving their heads. Creatives, industry professionals, and newcomers to VR can create an immersive experience, capturing dynamic scenes for entertainment, tourism, training and education, real estate, storytelling, or anywhere you want to bring your audience to.

3D 180° VR Capture

Designed for use with the Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital Camera, this lens gives you the ability to create an immersive 3D experience. When captured imagery is viewed on compatible head mount displays such as the Oculus Quest 2 and more, a viewer can feel like they are a part of the story that you create. With stereoscopic 3D 180° VR, your audience can see life-like depth and can move their head to look around the viewing environment. The lens features a beautifully engineered and optimized folded optical design, with separate left and right optical systems. This enables you to capture stereoscopic 3D imagery with a 180° field of view to a single full-frame image sensor.

VR with Ease

Pairing this one lens to an EOS R5 camera provides you with the ability to deliver a single file. This lets you create a powerful and convenient solution compared to traditional VR systems that capture a 3D scene with two separate fisheye lenses, recorded to two separate cameras, which write two separate files. This saves you 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.

EOS R5 Camera with Updated Firmware (Version 1.5.0 or Later)

To help improve the user experience when shooting with the RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye 3D VR 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 in framing the central resting position, which shows an approximate field of view in the composition. The user can magnify at 6x and 15x magnification and also use MF Peaking while magnified. Additionally, you can swap between the left and right lenses with a simple tap of the INFO button while magnified, which is incredibly useful when manually focusing the lens.

Canon's EOS VR System

Canon's EOS VR System is comprised of this lens plus an EOS R5 camera with updated firmware and subscription-based software, either Canon's EOS VR Utility or EOS VR plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro, both of which are currently in development. Availability and details to follow on or about early 2022. 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. With either solution, conversion of fisheye to equirectangular imagery is possible, as well as processing and exporting at various resolutions and formats to help you capture, convert, and process high-quality VR images and movies.

Stereoscopic 3D Imagery

Featuring dual 5.2mm fisheye lenses positioned with 60mm of spacing between left and right lens centers, this lens provides an interpupillary distance closely resembling human vision. This provides for a powerful and immersive experience that brings the viewer to feel as if they are within the scene where the video or stills image takes place. Also, this lets the viewer change their viewing angle within a recorded scene so they can look around with the use of a compatible head mount display.

Dual-Synchronized Electro-Magnetic Diaphragm

Each of the left and right fisheye lenses have their own optical system, including separate but coordinated aperture mechanisms. Together they seamlessly and simultaneously control the exposure of both lenses, so setting your aperture is the same process as with any other RF lenses.

L-Series Lens Elements

Engineered with 12 elements in 10 groups and highlighted by two ultra-low dispersion glass elements and prisms in both the left and right lenses, this lens delivers impressive color and clarity with minimal chromatic aberration.

Subwavelength Structure Coating (SSC)

SWC technology decreases ghosting and reflections that may occur when shooting in more challenging lighting conditions such as during strong backlight, providing versatility and more uniform color balance in the scene.

Manual Focusing

Coordinated manual focusing of both lenses allows you to focus each lens using the manual focus ring. Additionally, a left-right focus adjustment dial lets you refine focus of the right lens separately from the left lens by using the included hexagon wrench.

Large Aperture

Providing a highly adaptable aperture range, the RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye 3D VR lens allows you to go from a bright f/2.8 aperture in low light shooting, to a deep depth of field of f/16 for more control of your exposure in brighter environments. Additionally, a gelatin filter holder is located at the rear of the lens allowing optional gel filters to be used similarly to previous ultra-wide-angle Canon lens offerings.

Compact, Lightweight, and Portable

Thanks to the RF mount and the folded optical design, the size and weight of this lens makes it easy to use in tight spaces and easy to carry in a camera bag. The lens weighs under 1 lb and is just slightly over 2" in depth from the rear mount to the front side of the lens, creating a compact, portable, and lightweight solution.

Dust- and Water-Resistant Sealing with Fluorine Coating

Built to L-series lens specifications, the lens features a highly durable RF mount design. With dust- and water-resistant sealing, you can confidently shoot in challenging weather conditions. Fluorine coating is used on the front element to help prevent water, oil, and other surface residue like fingerprints from sticking to the lens, and this also facilitates quick and easy wiping without the use of solvents.

UPC: 013803346701

Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8L Specs

Focal Length	5.2mm
Maximum Aperture	f/2.8
Minimum Aperture	f/16
Lens Mount	Canon RF
Lens Format Coverage	Full-Frame
Angle of View	190°
Minimum Focus Distance	7.9" / 200.7 mm
Maximum Magnification	0.03x
Optical Design	12 Elements in 10 Groups
Diaphragm Blades	7
Focus Type	Manual Focus
Image Stabilization	No
Filter Size	Gel Filter (Rear)
Dimensions (ø x L)	4.8 x 2.1" / 12.2 x 5.3 cm
Weight	12.4 oz / 352 g

Packaging Info

Package Weight	1.62 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)	8.6 x 6.8 x 6"

Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8L Reviews

Great but the Canon software needs work

By Daniel

Rated 4 out of 5

Date: 2022-08-10

Love this lens and what it can do. Very disappointed its so difficult to get a great result out of the Canon VR software - and you have TO PAY FOR A SUBSCRIPTION TO USE IT! Crazy. Software will only work with .jpeg and .mp4 files, crippling the ability to use this lens with 8k RAW footage or RAW images on the R5C.

EOS VR utility is crippled

By Benjamin

Rated 1 out of 5

Date: 2022-02-28

Only supports jpg/mo4 and costs 5 per month. No RAW/DLOG support so quality is limited by the software. Optics are great.

Getting the best VR content with this lens

By scott

Rated 5 out of 5

Date: 2022-01-24

I have been shooting with the Insta360 OneX 2 for a while now and it's generally fine. It provides okay content that looks fine in VR. When I saw this lens I pre-ordered immediately. It arrived today and I have already shot some stills and video on my R5 that completely surpass in quality any other VR content I have created before. It is sharp. And because the R5 knows it has this lens installed it has extra features that makes using it very easy. The only hard part was finding the software, which is located here: https://en.canon-cna.com/support/consumer_products/products/cameras/digital_slr/eos-r5.html (I hope B&H allows links, if not go to canon support for the R5 and look all the way at the bottom for software - there's a link for the VR utility for Mac / Windows and the plugin for Premiere. I am using the utility, and you can process stills and video. The software is a 90-day trial but it is only $50 yearly. It technically mounts to my R6 and C70, but in both cases a warning pops up that says the firmware is not compatible. I am able to take stills / video with the R6 and video with the C70, but the VR utility will not process anything if using those bodies. I suspect there will be third-party software that will enable shooting on other bodies / brands. It's a compact lens, and it's easy to pack in with your other gear. The lens cap is a little difficult to attach. You can use gel ND filters in the rear-slot, but I would not know why it would be necessary since this lens has such massive depth of field even at f/2.8 so using ND filters to be able to use it wide open for video use seems unnecessary. Overall, the best VR lens on any system. I anticipate seeing a ton of content made with this one. Obviously, if you are just wanting wide angle and not VR, probably better off waiting for them to release the RF version of the 11-24.

Opens doors into a new era

By Fred

Rated 5 out of 5

Date: 2021-12-28

With the recent reduction in cost of high quality VR goggles, a future audience is now primed for new content. This lens paired with an Canon R5 camera is the first of its kind for mass distributed high-end consumer equipment. This lens enables a single camera to capture 3D content for both video and photography. To properly use this lens with the Canon R5 (the R5 is the only camera at this time that is compatible) you must have at least version 1.5.0 or newer firmware to begin recording. Using 8K RAW video will provide the highest visual quality but also result in very large files. It will also reduce the recording time as the camera temperature rises and the electronics are forced to shut off (I expect future Camera camera models to eliminate this issue). You may use lower quality recording modes to record using smaller file sizes and also increase the recording time as the camera's temperature is kept lower. In order to convert the dual fish eye recorded footage into a rectilinear view that is correctly formatted for 3D viewing on compatible VR headsets (Oculus Quest 2 is one example); you must run it through special Canon software. Canon has created both a stand-alone software application and a plugin for Adobe Premier. I know they will have a version for Window's, I do not know if they will for the various Apple platforms. Currently this Canon software requires a paid subscription after the free trial period expires. As of Dec 27, 2021, the software has not yet been fully released. I did find a link on the Canon Canada website to download the Premier plug-in. I could not yet find it on the Canon USA Website. The 3D format that the special Canon software creates is called 180 VR. As the name suggests, it does not result in a 360 sphere view. Through the VR goggles you will be able to see left to right and up and down, the remainder of the view will be void of content. Even if you do not have VR goggles it is possible to pan and view the 180 content through YouTube and other compatible players. Of course you won't be able to view the 3D effect unless you use the VR goggles or other 3D viewing apparatus. In the future I expect that 3rd party developers will also create additional conversion software. Probably free software will also be released eventually. As far as the optical quality of this lens, it is an L lens and very high quality. It is more than sufficient to record very high quality content. In summary this is a very exciting niche lens that I hope if you have the chance to purchase that you do. Imagine the creative possibilities that this will enable!

Fascinating and immersive for still images

By Sidney

Rated 4 out of 5

Date: 2022-04-11

As a serious amateur with a focus on still images, I decided to be an early adopter to explore the creative and expressive ways to use this unique lens. While build and image quality are at the expected L level, learning how/when to use this lens along with the very different approach to composing pictures has been a challenging yet fascinating journey in the 3 weeks since this lens arrived. The perspective of pictures generated with this lens is truly immersive and incredibly realistic. Viewing the images in 180 degree 3D VR is just fascinating, but you have to get the composition (subject, surrounding), and exposure right - not as easy as I expected it to be. I continue to explore adding this lens to my trilogy of lenses to see how its unique perspective adds to my craft. A couple of key pointers for taking/processing/viewing pictures: Just as going from a 50mm to a 16mm lens requires a different approach to taking pictures, going to a 5.2mm lens which generates 180 3D VR pictures requires its own unique approach. Second, the software Canon provides is not at the L level. A $2k lens should not require a subscription for converting pictures (and movies) to the format viewable (equirectangular projection) on a VR headset. Canon's EOS VR utility only converts JPEG images (not RAW images) and only when taken directly out of the camera. Modifying the original JPEG image or processing the RAW imaging and exporting it as a JPEG alters something and prevents importing into the Canon software. Converting the original JPEG with the Canon software and then modifying the picture is a workaround but being able to work on a RAW file before exporting as a JPEG is definitely the preferred method to process pictures. More robust Canon VR Software or preferably a Lightroom Classic plug-in to output a corrected JPEG image for VR viewing (and a plug in for video for Final Cut Pro) is needed and limits generating still images on par with the cost/professional characteristics of this lens. I do believe Canon needs to significantly step up its support for still image use to make this more widely desired by photographers and include the cost of software as part of the lens purchase price. VR headsets are still undergoing their maturation phase - I found additional viewing software better than that from the VR headset manufacturer worked best for viewing my images. I can promise you that if you do purchase this lens it will open your perspective to taking pictures in a new and immersive way.

The Lens is Great, The Required App is Very limiting

By Peter

Rated 3 out of 5

Date: 2022-04-08

I bought this lens to pair up with a Canon R5C so that I could record glorious 8K VR videos at 60fps. Unfortunately, you can only record 8K 60fps videos in raw, and the required EOS VR Utility can't handle raw files (for stills or video), so I am out of luck. And to be clear, your VR images and video are unviewable (no matter what capture device you use) unless you run them through Canon's paid VR utility. The fact that they charge for the VR utility is a joke. All the utility does is perform simple image transformations, so that the two circular images recorded on the image sensor get stretched to the full frame, such that they are then easily viewable on VR headsets as a stereoscopic image (it also filps the left and right eye). Now, if Canon would be so kind as to share the specs behind those transformations (probably less than a dozen parameters), one would be able to just do the transformation themselves (e.g., when working with the raw video files in Resolve). But I'm guessing Canon won't do that, because they are eager for the measly $5 extra per month. Seriously Canon, if someone pays $2,000 for a lens, and $4,500 for a camera, maybe don't lock them out using their equipment for chump change? At the very least, you should be able to use the VR Utility to transform other MP4 files. At least that way you could work with the raw video files in an NLE, render as an MP4, and then let the utility make the necessary transforms as the last step. But no, the VR utility only works with the MP4 files right out of the camera. Nevertheless, since the utility provided by the EOS VR utility software is so simple, I'm guessing it won't take long to figure out how to sidestep it completely. All that aside, the lens itself seems to be great. The still images (even when being forced to work in JPEG), are amazing. The amount of distortion you get towards the edges is best in class. i.e., if you look 90 degrees left or right there is very little distortion to the VR image. If Canon fixed their VR Utility, I may come back and increase the grade.

See any errors on this page? Let us know

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Could this possibly work on a Red v-rapter?

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