The Best VR Camera for 3D VR180? Canon R5 with Dual Fisheye Lens

[Markr041]

Two lenses, one sensor, for perfect alignment and color/exposure in each view. 8k DCI RAW video capability. Canon (free, with a limitation) VR Utility software enables processing of 8K clips including RAW clips. Many camera focusing and framing aids.

So, I tried it out. Here are two test videos in 3D VR180, 4K each eye. If you do not view with a VR headset, you will see in 2D but you can move around with your mouse or by moving your phone, so you get the VR180 part. With a headset, you get to see the video is 3D and you can move around.

In this 4K video the clips were shot in 8K DCI All-I HEVC 10bit Clog3 and transformed with a Canon LUT in the VR Utility program:



In this 4K video the clips were shot in 12bit 8KDCI RAW:



Three-step workflow I used: processing, including trimming and DeBayering, of each clip in the Canon VR utility, which rendered 8K 3D VR180 H264 8bit clips (there are other choices). Those clips were then merged losslessly. The Google VR metadata injector program (free) was used to insert (losslessly) the proper 3D VR180 metadata into the final video so YouTube can process the uploaded clips appropriately.,

 

[sludge21017]

Do you plan to get the ND inserts?

 

[Markr041]

1. sludge21017 wrote:

Do you plan to get the ND inserts?

Yes, it's just gels that you cut to fit.

 

[Markr041]

The extension bar is there so that the tripod legs don't appear in the image - that is how wide a capture the lens obtains. It extends the camera out to avoid the legs.

I succeeded is cutting out 3 ND (not 3D) filters for the lens from gels - ND3, ND6, ND9. It was easy. I will post a 3D VR180 video soon using the ND9 filter shot at Whitney falls in the sun.

 

[MannyV]

Those clips were then merged losslessly. The Google VR metadata injector program (free) was used to insert (losslessly) the proper 3D VR180 metadata into the final video so YouTube can process the uploaded clips appropriately.,

Thank you for sharing. I have R7 and planning to get the RF-S 3.9mm lens. My question is on the metadata injector. In the Google Spatial Media Metadata Injector program, I do not see option for 180. Does the program still inject the metadata correctly?

Thanks in advance.

--

Manny

 

[sludge21017]

Those clips were then merged losslessly. The Google VR metadata injector program (free) was used to insert (losslessly) the proper 3D VR180 metadata into the final video so YouTube can process the uploaded clips appropriately.,

Thank you for sharing. I have R7 and planning to get the RF-S 3.9mm lens. My question is on the metadata injector. In the Google Spatial Media Metadata Injector program, I do not see option for 180. Does the program still inject the metadata correctly?

Thanks in advance.

I was using handbrake for Qoocam Ego.

Qoocam EGO review, samples, tutorial and FAQ (3D camera for Quest) | 360 Rumors

Hugh Hou on youtube probably has a masterclass for free about what to do.

Doesn't the Canon software handle it?

 

[MannyV]

Those clips were then merged losslessly. The Google VR metadata injector program (free) was used to insert (losslessly) the proper 3D VR180 metadata into the final video so YouTube can process the uploaded clips appropriately.,

Thank you for sharing. I have R7 and planning to get the RF-S 3.9mm lens. My question is on the metadata injector. In the Google Spatial Media Metadata Injector program, I do not see option for 180. Does the program still inject the metadata correctly?

Thanks in advance.

I was using handbrake for Qoocam Ego.

Qoocam EGO review, samples, tutorial and FAQ (3D camera for Quest) | 360 Rumors

Hugh Hou on youtube probably has a masterclass for free about what to do.

Doesn't the Canon software handle it?

After using the Canon VR tool, then I will be performing edits such as join multiple clips etc which when I export will not have the metadata. For Qoocam Ego Kandao has a youtube metadata injector tool and I use it and it works. Example -

where I have after export from Qoocam Studio, I joined clips, added text, transitions, LUT's, background music etc using Shotcut. Once exported, I have to inject the metadata using the Qoocam Metadata injector.

I assume with Canon VR utility it will inject data - however after I perform edits in Shotcut I will need to reinject metadata.

 

[sludge21017]

Those clips were then merged losslessly. The Google VR metadata injector program (free) was used to insert (losslessly) the proper 3D VR180 metadata into the final video so YouTube can process the uploaded clips appropriately.,

Thank you for sharing. I have R7 and planning to get the RF-S 3.9mm lens. My question is on the metadata injector. In the Google Spatial Media Metadata Injector program, I do not see option for 180. Does the program still inject the metadata correctly?

Thanks in advance.

I was using handbrake for Qoocam Ego.

Qoocam EGO review, samples, tutorial and FAQ (3D camera for Quest) | 360 Rumors

Hugh Hou on youtube probably has a masterclass for free about what to do.

Doesn't the Canon software handle it?

After using the Canon VR tool, then I will be performing edits such as join multiple clips etc which when I export will not have the metadata. For Qoocam Ego Kandao has a youtube metadata injector tool and I use it and it works. Example -

where I have after export from Qoocam Studio, I joined clips, added text, transitions, LUT's, background music etc using Shotcut. Once exported, I have to inject the metadata using the Qoocam Metadata injector.

I assume with Canon VR utility it will inject data - however after I perform edits in Shotcut I will need to reinject metadata.

No Subscription! Edit Canon R7 & R5C VR180 in DaVinci Resolve - Free EOS VR Utility Alternative (youtube.com)

 

[MannyV]

Thanks. Will give it a try.

 

[Vincent-TaiwanVR]

Those clips were then merged losslessly. The Google VR metadata injector program (free) was used to insert (losslessly) the proper 3D VR180 metadata into the final video so YouTube can process the uploaded clips appropriately.,

Thank you for sharing. I have R7 and planning to get the RF-S 3.9mm lens. My question is on the metadata injector. In the Google Spatial Media Metadata Injector program, I do not see option for 180. Does the program still inject the metadata correctly?

Thanks in advance.

The problem is probably solved by now, but here is the quick version for inject the correct metadata to upload 180 video to youtube:

1. Download VR180 Creator here

2. Unzip and run VR180 creator

3. Choose Prepare for publish, choose the video file, set the correct view degrees (in the case of RF-S 3.9mm I believe it is 144 degrees) , hit export and you are done.

 

[Vincent-TaiwanVR]

Not sure if I should start a new thread , so I will just post it here.

Here is my video taken with R5C + dual fisheye.

Due to Youtube limitation, if watched on anything other than VR headset, it is not possible to choose 8K. The photo/video taken with this lens is really meant for VR headset owner, but I suppose it could be used for wide angle video too.

 

[sludge21017]

You have that focus really dialed in, spot on. Looked great on my computer in 4k (for 180 video).

It looked like you were near 1/120 shutter? Was the overcast day enough to get it there or did you dip into ISO 50?

Hugh Hou always talked about it, but he never appeared to have spot on focus.

 

[Vincent-TaiwanVR]

You have that focus really dialed in, spot on. Looked great on my computer in 4k (for 180 video).

It looked like you were near 1/120 shutter? Was the overcast day enough to get it there or did you dip into ISO 50?

Hugh Hou always talked about it, but he never appeared to have spot on focus.

Thank you. It took me whole year of trial and error, study and practice to get to this point, but the reward is extremely satisfying, especially when watched inside VR headset. Shooting with VR lens feels like shooting with film camera from old days --- I actually have no idea how my video looks like until after I get home and develop it.

I use Canon R5C, which is a Cinema Cam and has very different system from other photo camera when taking video. It has dual ISO system so I set my Base ISO to 3200 and working ISO to 800. My shutter setting is always locked at 180 degree shutter angle , never changed. This lens has its sharpest focus at F5.6, But between F4-F7.1 is acceptable.

Hugh Hou has absolutely great tutorials to get started, without his tutorial I would not know where to begin with. I feel his video is good enough for learning how to take video with this lens and be able to watch it inside VR with no problem, but after that is everyone on their own.