nubia Pad 3D II at MWC 2024: Glasses-free 3D tablet gets 5G and AI upgrades

With mixed reality and spatial computing becoming trendy again, 3D content is also seeing a rise in interest, both in terms of creation and especially in consumption. Of course, most of the digital content that we see is in flat 2D, and you need to wear specialized glasses to actually experience those objects in a way that tricks your brain into believing it’s actually 3D. Or at least that’s how things have been traditionally. Outside of cinemas, wearing such glasses is not only uncomfortable and awkward, they’re practically unusable as well. That’s where technologies like the new nubia Pad 3D II come in, offering that same enjoyable experience of immersing yourself in 3D content without having to put anything on your face and without blocking the rest of the world.

Designer: Nubia

Instead of relying on a projector and glasses, the nubia Pad 3D II employs a Diffractive Lighthfield Backlighting (DLB) layer underneath the LCD screen to have the same effect of sending a different set of images to each eye. It uses sensors and eye-detection algorithms to adjust those images depending on where we’re actually looking, giving the same effect without having to wear glasses. That was the concept that nubia proved last year, and the nubia Pad 3D II refines that design with much-needed upgrades.

At the top of that list is 5G connectivity, which is pretty much a minimum requirement for any mobile device today. Given the tablet’s potential for content consumption as well as creation on the go, a fast and stable Internet connection is more than just a convenience; it’s a necessity. Other hardware upgrades include an improvement to the special display with 80% better 3D resolution and 100% boost in 3D brightness. It is powered by some of the current mobile technologies available, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a whopping 10,000 mAh 66W battery, and a 12.1-inch 2.5K screen.

Unsurprisingly, nubia is also pushing the AI upgrades it made to the second-gen eyewear-free 3D tablet. In addition to utilizing AI to properly detect eye position and adjust the 3D display accordingly, it also uses neural networks for its Neovision 3D Anytime, which can convert any 2D content into 3D in real time. That includes not just photos but also videos, streaming media, and even games. AI 3D Collaboration allows owners of ZTE phones or Miracast devices to wirelessly stream content to the tablet for even more sources for videos, images, and more.

The nubia Pad 3D II is more than just a tablet for watching 3D videos, though. Thanks to an AI-enhanced dual-camera system, it can also take photos or record videos in stereoscopic 3D, letting you easily create 3D content that you can then share with others. The tablet also has a role to play even if you’re creating those 3D images on a different device. Simply drag and drop that 3D model from laptop to tablet for a better way to view your creation. With the new and improved nubia Pad 3D II, 3D no longer has to be something you can experience inside a cinema or with glasses on, opening a whole new world of 3D content that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere.

The post nubia Pad 3D II at MWC 2024: Glasses-free 3D tablet gets 5G and AI upgrades first appeared on Yanko Design.

Revopoint RANGE 2 3D scanner makes short work of scanning large objects

3D scanning has traditionally been the domain of big production studios and companies because of the size of the equipment and their prohibitive costs. With the arrival of handheld scanners, however, the doors were thrown wide open for anyone in any field to make their own 3D models from real-world objects, whether it’s for fun, art, health, or profit.

Typical handheld 3D scanners work great when working with small objects that are no larger than the device itself. Of course, real-world objects like car parts, whole vehicles, and even human bodies are quite big and push these smaller scanners to the limit. Enter the new Revopont RANGE 2, the latest in a line of lightweight but powerful 3D scanners designed to handle large objects without breaking a sweat, making sure that your creativity and productivity aren’t limited by the size of your model.

Designer: Revopoint Team

Click Here to Buy Now: $656.10 $729 (10% off, use coupon code “YKD10”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Revopoint RANGE 2 is a portable handheld dual depth camera structured infrared light 3D scanner designed for capturing large objects like furniture, people, and vehicles.

Because handheld 3D scanners work by guiding the depth cameras across and around the target, the devices need to be able to capture a great amount of detail with great depth quickly and steadily with accuracy and precision. That’s a rather tall order for a small device, especially one that is made to be accessible to both amateurs and pros alike, but Revopoint’s expertise really shines through with the upgrades that its RANGE 2 3D scanner packs in a compact and portable form. For example, thanks to new depth cameras that have double the sensor size, the Revopoint RANGE 2 can work on a distance ranging from 400 mm to 1,300 mm, a 60% increase that makes it even faster to capture large objects compared to the previous generation, and can scan an area up to 860 x 1380 mm in size.

Scan of the body by Revopoint RANGE 2. Image credit: PUTV

Range isn’t the only thing that’s bigger and better on the RANGE 2, of course. Four flash LEDs banish shadows for a more uniform color capture, while an improved RGB camera with a bigger aperture is able to capture more color information, ensuring clear color capture with higher levels of detail for more accurate textures and realistic-looking 3D models. An upgraded tracking system utilizes the device’s built-in 9-axis IMU (Inertial Measuring Unit) to keep the scan steady even if your hands aren’t. Four Infrared LED fill lights also make it easier to recognize markers, resulting in more accurate frame stitching in marker mode.

Angel Candelabra scanned with Revopoint RANGE 2. Image credit: dfodaro

Thanks to these powerful features, the Revopoint RANGE 2 is even more versatile and as flexible as before. With Wi-Fi 6 and USB-C connections, you can be assured that transmitting critical data will be fast and stable. As before, the scanner is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, functioning in handheld mode or set on a stand in front of a turntable. And with the Revo Scan 5 software, the scanning process couldn’t be easier, especially with post-processing features, such as frame editing, hole filling, overlap detection, etc, to enhance your workflow.

With the Revopoint RANGE 2 3D scanner, you have a whole new world of large objects you will be able to scan. You can easily scan car or mechanical parts, offering a cost-effective and high-performance way to study them through reverse engineering or produce replacements. Archaeologists, scientists, and museum creators can now also digitize artifacts to preserve them for posterity or turn them into XR experiences. And, of course, artists and creators now have a portable yet powerful tool to bring their ideas to life. Scanning big objects for your big projects will no longer be a problem with the new and improved Revopoint RANGE 2!

Click Here to Buy Now: $656.10 $729 (10% off, use coupon code “YKD10”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

The post Revopoint RANGE 2 3D scanner makes short work of scanning large objects first appeared on Yanko Design.

Acer Predator SpatialLabs View Pro at CES 2024 makes 3D really pop out

Mixed reality is a huge thing these days, especially with Apple finally throwing in its bet with the Vision Pro. But even without VR, AR, and everything in between, we’ve become used to and even dependent on 3D content, from games to interfaces to even NFTs. Even with the help of AI (which is quite controversial), creating this type of content is no easy task, especially because our computer screens are only capable of displaying flat 2D images. Whether it’s for appreciating 3D content or actually creating it, we need a better way to see in 3D without having to wear inconvenient glasses, which is exactly what Acer’s SpatialLabs Stereoscopic 3D products are bringing to the table at CES 2024.

Designer: Acer

Most of us have probably experienced watching a film in “true” stereoscopic 3D and how convincing the effect can be. Of course, even the most advanced theater systems require you to wear specialized glasses to experience this, otherwise, you’ll only get disconcerting blurry images. That’s not exactly an ideal situation to be in, especially if you have to work for hours on crafting a 3D model. Thankfully, PC makers are developing technologies that can bring that same vision to desktops and laptops, and the new Acer Predator SpatialLabvs View Pro 27-inch 4K monitor is the latest tool to be added to creators’ arsenal.

Thanks to special cameras, this kind of monitor can follow the viewer’s eyes and instantly adjust its display, creating a stereoscopic 3D image without having to put anything on your face. The new Predator SpatialLabs View Pro improves the experience with a second virtual camera, rendering 3D content as intended by designers and developers. Acer’s Immerse Audio complements these visuals with spatial sound technology, leveraging AI-driven beamforming and head-tracking to create the effect of surround-sound audio without wearing headphones as well. While these features directly benefit 3D games, they’re also useful in helping designers and creators craft a more convincing stereoscopic 3D experience since they’re able to see and hear it directly for themselves.

For creators on the go, the Acer Aspire 35 15 SpatialLabs Edition offers a more portable version of this same stereoscopic 3D magic. In addition to viewing 3D content as they were intended to be seen, Acer’s SpatialLabs Go software can even transform flat 2D content into mind-blowing 3D images instantly, thanks to some AI help, of course. With up to an Intel Core i7-13620H processor and NVIDIA RTX 4050 laptop graphics, this portable workstation is built to serve the needs not just of gamers but also of professionals who need to take their 3D craftsmanship to the next level.

Whether it’s for leisure or for work, Acer’s latest line of SpatialLabs stereoscopic 3D products will bring those 3D objects to life without burdening your eyes and your head with unnecessary peripherals. The Acer Predator SpatialLabs View Pro 27 will be available in North America in the second quarter of 2024 with a starting price of $1,999, while the Acer Aspire 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition will land in North America next month and will start at $1,399.99.

The post Acer Predator SpatialLabs View Pro at CES 2024 makes 3D really pop out first appeared on Yanko Design.

3D modeling device concept imagines what it’s like to create 3D with 2D tools

We live in a three-dimensional world, but we see the digital world through flat computer screens. That’s why 2D input devices like mice, trackballs, and pens are fine for most creative work that is made to be seen in 2D anyway. With the increase in 3D objects in mixed reality spaces, however, these tools are no longer sufficient and can even become painful to use. Our hands are used to manipulating real-world three-dimensional objects, but our computer tools are confined to the 2D space, making them inefficient and counterintuitive. For the new age of 3D, we need newer and better tools designed specifically for those needs, and this concept imagines a new device designed from the ground up to offer a better way to create those 3D models that will populate the virtual worlds of the future.

Designer: Jayesh Gaikwad

You might brush the Deco MX off as a glorified trackball, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. After all, a trackball is still just like a mouse that moves a cursor on a 2D screen. You can use that cursor to move and rotate a 3D object, but it’s a clumsy and awkward gesture that doesn’t map what we have in our mind when we want to turn those 3D objects living inside our flat displays. That’s what that ball in the corner of the Deco MX is for, letting you rotate an object more naturally in all three axes, making it easier to see the 3D model from all angles.

The rest of the device is made to give easier access to the tools that a designer needs when building those 3D models. There are programmable buttons to set your own shortcuts within the app, as well as dials to switch tools quickly. The central dial is, in fact, the biggest control on the Deco MX, and it gives access to the most common building and editing tools in a program. You can change which tools those are to suit your workflow, of course.

What makes the Deco MX extra interesting is the amount of screen on it. There’s one that arcs to the side, showing a history of actions you’ve taken so far. The central dial also has a screen underneath that changes depending on the tools you’ve set to be your favorite ones. There’s also a small circular screen to the side that shows you the currently selected tool without having to squint your eyes too hard.

While this 3D modeling device offers an innovative interface, the software we use today still presumes a 2D input device like a mouse or a stylus. Deco MX still can’t replace that and is instead designed to supplement it, perhaps taking the place of a large and cumbersome keyboard. Admittedly, the existence of screens on the device might actually make it harder to actually produce, but the concept has enough strong points that manufacturers should consider, especially as we journey deeper into mixed reality worlds.

The post 3D modeling device concept imagines what it’s like to create 3D with 2D tools first appeared on Yanko Design.

How the Revopoint MIRACO brings a high-precision professional 3D scanner to the masses

3D printing might be wonderful and all that, but their usefulness pretty much depends on the designs that you feed them. Of course, some of these can be created using 3D modeling software, but when it comes to reproducing objects from the real world, nothing beats 3D scanning. That technology, however, has traditionally been out of reach of creatives, makers, and hobbyists because of its expensive price tags, bulky forms, and complicated controls. Thanks to advancements in technology and the rise of the maker culture, however, there has been an increased interest in the democratization of these tools to empower more people and help them make their creative dreams come true. That’s the kind of power that the new Revopoint MIRACO 3D scanner brings to the table, delivering pro-level features in a portable and accessible design.

Designer: Revopoint

Click Here to Sign Up Now: Save 40%. Launching on Kickstarter Oct 25.

There is a growing number of 3D scanners available for hobbyists and prosumers, but most of them seem to fall on two extremes. On the one hand, you have powerful but bulky and expensive equipment that you can’t take out of studios. On the other hand, there are small portable devices that have limited applications, particularly for scanning smaller objects only. Building on the 3D vision technologies that brought the successful pocketable INSPIRE 3D scanner to the market, Revopoint is unleashing the new MIRACO 3D scanner to redefine what 3D scanners can offer.

At first glance, you might mistake the Revopoint MIRACO 3D for an extra-large camera, an intentional design decision that sparks familiarity and confidence in how to use the device. Its compact and lightweight (only 750g) body makes it portable and easy to use, while still cramming enough power, including a 2.4GHz octa-core processor and a 5,000 mAh battery, to handle any scanning use case, anywhere. Its all-in-one design means you don’t need to connect it to a phone or PC to use the MIRACO 3D scanner. It even has its own bright 6-inch 2K AMOLED display that can be flipped to 180 degrees, allowing you to scan from any angle, including selfies.

Single Shot – Make tracking loss and difficult-to-scan contrasting surfaces a thing of the past with MIRACO’s single-shot capture mode, making it a breeze to capture any object with ultra-accuracy.

Continuous Shot – When speed is a priority, continuous capture mode is ready to make light work of most small and big objects at up to 15 fps scanning speeds for fast 3D model creation.

Dynamic Accuracy – Get in close to capture fine details with a surgical accuracy of up to 0.05mm at 150mm, or take a step back to scan big objects fast with an accuracy of up to 0.5mm at 600mm.

Jaw-Dropping Color – Experience 3D model color vibrancy like never before with MIRACO’s 48-mega pixel RGB Camera, providing photorealistic single-shot and continuous color scans.

The MIRACO 3D scanner, however, isn’t just convenient. It is also oozing with features and capabilities you’d only encounter in larger and more expensive machines. At the very top of that list are the quad depth cameras that let you scan both large and small objects alike. The scanner also offers excellent single-frame precision of up to 0.02mm at a distance of 150mm and 0.2mm at a 600mm distance, as well as single-frame accuracy of up to 0.05 mm at a distance of 150mm and up to 0.5mm at 600mm distance. With its 48MP RGB camera and LED flash, you can capture not only the shape of the objects but also reproduce their colors and textures with impressive details.

With its convenient, portable design, easy-to-use controls, flexible modes, and powerful features, scanning any object of any size is a breeze. Whether you’re scanning car parts for reproduction, scanning art and designs for virtual worlds, or capturing objects for animation and games, the Revopoint MIRACO all-in-one 3D Scanner brings all the accuracy and power that you need to bring your creative vision to life, whenever and wherever the muses strike.

Click Here to Sign Up Now: Save 40%. Launching on Kickstarter Oct 25.

The post How the Revopoint MIRACO brings a high-precision professional 3D scanner to the masses first appeared on Yanko Design.

The pocketable REVPOINT INSPIRE 3D scanner opens the floodgates of creativity for everyone, anytime, anywhere

There’s a flood of products these days that make creating physical 3D objects from digital images easier and more affordable, but it’s not the same going in the other direction. Transforming real-world three-dimensional objects into their digital representation still involves expensive equipment with complicated operations, locking out many people with creative ideas but meager resources. It shouldn’t have to be that way, of course, especially with the rapid advancements in technology that we’re seeing today. Fortunately, someone finally took it upon themselves to put such capabilities within reach of everyone, creating a 3D scanner that’s not only compact and accessible but also powerful enough to inspire and bring the physical world into the digital realm.

Designer: Revopoint 3D

Click Here to Buy Now: $285 $439 (35% off). Hurry, only 832/2000 left! Raised over $470,000.

With all the advancements in imaging sensors in consumer electronics today, it’s puzzling that very few have put those technologies inside 3D scanners that almost anyone can reach for. Of course, there’s more to a 3D scanner than just capturing the physical world, but the foundations are already available, ripe for the picking. The Revopoint INSPIRE 3D Scanner offers a cost-effective, versatile, and powerful 3D scanning solution that tears down the barriers that keep budding creators and hobbyists from completing their dream projects.

How small is the Revopoint INSPIRE, you ask? It’s small enough to quickly shove into your pocket in a hurry and light enough that you won’t even feel its presence there. It’s almost as light as an iPhone 12 mini, so there’s very little reason for you to leave it at home, even if you count the other accessories you’ll want to use with it, like a tripod or the Magic Mat. Despite its modest size, however, the INSPIRE 3D scanner is a heavyweight when it comes to features that almost make 3D scanning feel like hi-tech magic.

Enhanced Marker Tracking – Powered by dual infrared LEDs for extra illumination, intelligent algorithms, and the new Magic Mat’s highly reflective pre-placed markers, the INSPIRE can seamlessly track featureless objects without sticking markers on them.

Bring 3D Models to Life – Dull colors and heavy shadows ruin color scans, so INSPIRE’s RGB camera works with a Flash LED to remove shadows and enrich the colors to create lifelike 3D models.

Create Digital Art – Capture models with INSPIRE, then transform them however you want in 3D modeling software to create something entirely new.

Time-saving Car Modification – Replace out-of-production parts, create modified parts, customize your motor to your heart’s content, and do so without the fear of wrong measurements ruining your hard work.

Game Modding – Transform your favorite games by creating full-color detail-rich 3D models of objects, clothes, equipment, or even your own face.

Smart Stabilization – Equipped with a 9-axis IMU (inertial measurement unit) and intelligent algorithms, the INSPIRE detects and eliminates faulty frames caused by shaking hands or rapid movement, ensuring error-free results and efficient tracking.

It can scan fast at 14 to 18 fps, so capturing an object using the INSPIRE won’t take long. With a 9-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and Revopoint’s self-developed 3D vision technology system, you don’t even have to worry about shaky hands or fast movements because INSPIRE can intelligently stabilize the images it captures on the fly. This compact scanner makes it trivial to scan medium-sized objects, whether manually or by using the included mini turntable. Thanks to dual infrared LEDs providing extra marker illumination, intelligent algorithms, and a specially-marked Magic Mat, you don’t even have to bother with sticking markers directly on featureless objects to make scanning easier.

Get Going Fast – Connecting to INSPIRE is a breeze, with Wi-Fi 6 for fast and stable mobile scanning. And a USB Type-C connection for plug-and-play setup that only requires one cable for power and data.

Despite all the power that it packs inside its pocket-size body, the Revopoint INSPIRE couldn’t be easier to use. The Revo Scan 5 works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, but you don’t even need a powerful PC to use the INSPIRE 3D scanner and can just hook it up to your phone. You can choose between fast and stable wireless scanning using Wi-Fi 6 or a quick setup with a single USB-C cable for both power and data, and you can see the 3D model taking shape in real-time, right before your very eyes. Revo Scan 5 can export these models as STL, PLY, or OBJ files for compatibility with most CAD, 3D modeling, and slicer software.

Best of all, this small but powerful 3D scanner is starting at only $272 for a Super Early Bird Special, making sure that no one, especially entry-level creators, will be able to create the digital project of their dreams without breaking the bank. Whether you’re scanning objects to put inside a game, replacing out-of-production machine parts, or preserving artifacts and antiques by creating their digital doubles, the Revopoint INSPIRE 3D Scanner has got you covered.

Click Here to Buy Now: $285 $439 (35% off). Hurry, only 832/2000 left! Raised over $470,000.

The post The pocketable REVPOINT INSPIRE 3D scanner opens the floodgates of creativity for everyone, anytime, anywhere first appeared on Yanko Design.

ZTE nubia Pad 3D tablet offers an eyewear-free 3D experience for consumption and creation

3D graphics and objects are becoming more prevalent in our modern lives, and not just because of their presence in movies and games. AR, VR, and everything in between all relies on the existence of virtual 3D objects to make their fabricated realities more believable. “Real” stereoscopic 3D, however, has had the stigma of requiring headgear or at least specialized eyewear to see, which was true only until recently. Some TVs and even some laptops have started offering the ability to view stereoscopic 3D without the eyewear, and ZTE nubia’s latest tablet is bringing that same experience to both content consumers as well as content creators in a more portable manner.

Designer: ZTE

Because of the way our eyes are positioned, we are able to see an object from different angles, creating this perception of a three-dimensional figure. Stereoscopic 3D systems mimic that phenomenon by forcing our eyes to see different parts of a flat image, practically turning it into an illusion. The simplest way to make this happen is by using some sort of filter between our eyes and the projected image, which is basically how those 3D movie glasses work. Fortunately, it’s now possible to make that happen without wearing anything, thanks to advancements in technology.

The ZTE nubia Pad 3D applies these principles using technology from a 3D company named Leia. If you’ve kept abreast with developments in this field, the technology might not sound that novel, but the partnership between ZTE and Leia does take things one step further. More than just display content created specifically for stereoscopic 3D viewing, the device can use AI to “convert” 2D content, like videos from streaming services, into a 3D experience, all in real time.

The tablet isn’t just made for viewing 3D content, though, since that would make it not too different from new “3D laptops.” It also comes with tools to create such stereoscopic 3D content, starting with dual 16MP cameras on the back and dual 8MP cameras on the front. The former helps in shooting and recording content in real 3D, while the latter can be used for making 3D video calls, presuming your platform of choice supports such a fancy thing.

As a tablet, the nubia Pad 3D is somewhat caught in the middle of the old and the new, powered by a last-gen Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor. The large 12.4-inch 2.5K screen, however, offers enough space for comfortable viewing of content, whether 2D or 3D, while four corner Dolby surround sound speakers complete the entertainment package. The full metal body design of the tablet looks a tad too plain, save for the dual cameras popping up from the edge, but a vegan leather case could help make it look a little more stylish, especially when shooting that 3D film masterpiece.

The post ZTE nubia Pad 3D tablet offers an eyewear-free 3D experience for consumption and creation first appeared on Yanko Design.

ASUS Spatial Vision offers creators a glasses-free 3D experience

3D graphics are becoming key elements in many of today’s multimedia experiences, from games to movies to mixed reality. Of course, these realistic-looking images don’t just pop out of thin air and require someone to take the painstaking work to craft them. Despite their 3D designs, the tools that artists and designers use are all stuck in the flat 2D world. Limitations in technologies and hardware meant that the only way that both creators and consumers could experience 3D in their full glory would be to don goggles and headsets that are often more work than they’re worth. Fortunately, the dream of a 3D experience without glasses is upon us, and ASUS’ new Spatial Vision 3D OLED displays are offering that to the people charged with creating those very same 3D content.

Designer: ASUS

We naturally see the world in 3D, but our flat computer screens are locked to displaying only 2D images. 3D glasses and headsets fool our brains by feeding each eye a different part of the image, creating a composite stereoscopic image that approximates the sense of depth that comes so naturally to us. This does work, but at the expense of burdening our heads, obstructing our vision, and effectively limiting our movements.

ASUS Spatial Vision works on the same principle but has a few tricks up its sleeves to ditch the glasses requirement. Compatible laptops have two cameras that track the position of each eye in order to split an image into alternating slices that then get sent to the left and right eye separately, similar to how 3D glasses work. Thanks to this, it is possible to view 3D objects and content as naturally as you would view any 2D image on your laptop, but also as naturally as you would see any real-world object.

Glasses-free 3D technology isn’t entirely new, but most of it has been geared more toward experiencing 3D content in games and entertainment. In contrast, ASUS is positioning its Spatial Vision technology as a tool for content creators to more accurately form, view, and revise their 3D models. Whether you’re creating assets for games and movies, creating visualizations for presentations, or building the metaverse, ASUS Spatial Vision has you covered. And when you need to switch back to a more convenient 2D view, a simple click lets you switch back and forth thanks to a special 2D/3D liquid crystal switching layer.

ASUS Spatial Vision 3D OLED Technology will debut in the company’s new ProArt Studiobook 16 3D OLED laptop and as a configuration option for the Vivobook Pro 16X. The technology is already compatible with multiple VR and game creation platforms, such as SteamVR and Unreal Engine, as well as popular tools like Blender.

The post ASUS Spatial Vision offers creators a glasses-free 3D experience first appeared on Yanko Design.

Canon’s INSANE new camera lens features two side-by-side fisheye lenses for recording 8K AR and VR footage




“A powerful 3D lens for an already powerful 2D camera.”

I bet you’re just as baffled as I am looking at Canon’s new RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens. It almost looks anthropomorphic, with the way the two eyes stare at you, but in fact, what’s really marvelous is where Canon seems to be going with their cameras. DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras are already some of the most powerful shooters out there, and rather than ditching that entire ecosystem of cameras to move to newer camera types – like drones and AR/VR cameras, Canon has just embraced good old-fashioned innovation instead, with a newfangled lens that is compatible with their existing EOS range of cameras. The lens, when paired with the company’s 1.5.0 firmware update, enables the humble yet capable 2D camera to shoot SBS 3D content. Pair the lens with the EOS R5 mirrorless camera and suddenly you can perform high-resolution video recording at up to 8K DCI 30p and 4K DCI 60p.

The bizarre yet beautiful lens unlocks an absolutely new dimension to photography. Just pop it onto the EOS R5 and the lenses use a complex internal optical arrangement to record SBS content on a single full-frame image sensor. When paired with the right firmware, the video content automatically gets split, synced, stitched, and turned into 3D VR videos that can directly be exported using Canon’s own software.

The two lenses offer 190° field of view, and are spaced a precise 60mm apart to resemble the pupillary distance in humans, making the VR content look believable and have just the right amount of parallax too. Focusing for both the lenses is controlled by a single ring, although minor tweaks to the focus of individual lenses can be done using hidden adjustment dials on the left and right-hand sides of the lens body.

It’s low-key marvelous what the RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens does not just for Canon, but for photography in general. It shouldn’t be long before other companies like Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm begin introducing lenses that allow you to record two channels of video content using a single sensor. Arguably, the sensor would have to be big enough to fit both the channels, and to make sure your videos are high-resolution enough, but what Canon’s unleashed on the camera and VR world is just the beginning. That being said, this lens was designed for a special subset of users (with deep pockets) and doesn’t come cheap. The dual fisheye VR lens sports a hefty price tag of US$1,999, and is set to go on sale in December this year. That’s excluding the fact that you also need a $3,899.00 EOS R5 camera to match.