Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens

The Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye is a groundbreaking, professional‑grade stereoscopic lens designed for Canon RF‑mount full‑frame mirrorless cameras, enabling creators to capture immersive 3D virtual reality (VR 180°) content with a single lens system. This unique L‑series lens combines dual fisheye optics with advanced engineering to simplify VR workflows and deliver high‑quality, immersive visual experiences without the need for multi‑camera setups.

At the heart of the design are two identical 5.2mm fisheye optical systems, positioned with a 60mm interpupillary distance that closely mirrors human vision and supports natural parallax for stereoscopic VR capture. Each optical path captures a 190° field of view, enabling expansive VR content suitable for viewing on compatible head‑mounted displays without additional stitching or complex post‑production processes.

The lens offers a maximum aperture of f/2.8, which aids low‑light performance and provides a broad depth of field essential for immersive VR content. An aperture range extending to f/16 gives creators additional control over exposure and depth when needed. Exposure between the left and right optical systems is precisely synchronized using dual electro‑magnetic diaphragms, ensuring consistent exposure and balance between both fisheye images.

Optically, each fisheye unit is constructed with 12 elements in 10 groups, including Ultra‑Low Dispersion (UD) glass elements and Canon’s advanced Super Spectra Coating (SSC) and Sub‑wavelength Structure Coating (SWC) to minimize chromatic aberrations, flare, and ghosting — crucial for maintaining image clarity in expansive VR scenes. A fluorine coating further helps repel water and grease from the front surfaces, enhancing durability in challenging environments.

Unlike conventional lenses with front filters, the RF 5.2mm Dual Fisheye includes a rear‑mounted gelatin filter holder, enabling the use of ND gels or other creative filters to manage exposure in bright conditions without compromising the fisheye design.

Focusing with this lens is manual only, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.2 m (0.66 ft) and maximum magnification around 0.03×, appropriate for the extreme wide‑angle nature of VR capture. Because VR content often benefits from deep depth of field, manual focus and focus peaking support on compatible camera bodies help ensure subjects remain sharp throughout the 3D space.

Built to professional standards, the RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye features weather‑resistant sealing to protect against dust and moisture, aligning with Canon’s L‑series durability expectations for field production. Its compact and lightweight design (approximately 350 g) makes it practical for VR filmmakers and content creators who need mobility and reliability on location.

The lens is optimized to work within Canon’s EOS VR workflow, including compatibility with EOS VR Utility software and the EOS VR Plug‑in for Adobe Premiere Pro, which allow dual fisheye footage to be converted and edited into standard VR formats. This integration streamlines the capture‑to‑delivery process, making immersive content production more accessible than traditional multi‑camera VR rigs.

Overall, the Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens is a specialized tool tailored to creators seeking high‑quality, efficient stereoscopic 3D 180° VR capture. Its dual optical systems, robust L‑series optics, synchronized exposure controls, and VR‑focused workflow support make it an essential lens for professional VR video, immersive storytelling, and next‑generation content creation.