VR 180 Cameras for Creating Vision Pro Content

[Timo_Existencia]

I'm starting to research a camera rig for creating spatial video content for the Vision Pro.

Does anyone here have experience shooting in VR 180? Gear recommendations?

Also, I've been trying to compare the cameras in the AVP with those standalone cameras, but haven't found the info yet. For example, in what frame rate does the AVP record video?

 

[Timo_Existencia]

This camera is scheduled to be released in March. See more about it here. It's a $2K camera; I'd love to know how well the cameras in AVP stack up against this one.

For one thing, all the videos that Apple tends to show seem to have a small FOV, something like 60%, compared to the 180 degrees in VR 180.

 

[gerald.d]

Strongly recommend that you check out Hugh Hou's YouTube channel for guidance on this - he has example videos shot with a variety of different systems.

https://www.youtube.com/@hughhou

Personally I would recommend the Canon R5 C with the Canon Dual Fisheye lens, but it very much depends on your budget.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

I’ve been looking at the Canon but read some bad reviews on Amazon.

 

[gerald.d]

I’ve been looking at the Canon but read some bad reviews on Amazon.

I've been using a Canon R5 C shooting 8K RAW video (just regular - not for VR) for a long time now. Importantly for 3D180VR, it can shoot full 8K video at 60fps. Frankly, anyone who criticizes it clearly doesn't have a clue how to use it. The thing is a Netflix approved camera for goodness sake. My advice - ignore Amazon reviews.

Hugh Hou has a number of very useful videos on creating 3D180VR content with the camera and the dual fisheye lens, which I would recommend you check out.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

I've been using a Canon R5 C shooting 8K RAW video (just regular - not for VR) for a long time now. Importantly for 3D180VR, it can shoot full 8K video at 60fps. Frankly, anyone who criticizes it clearly doesn't have a clue how to use it. The thing is a Netflix approved camera for goodness sake. My advice - ignore Amazon reviews.

Hugh Hou has a number of very useful videos on creating 3D180VR content with the camera and the dual fisheye lens, which I would recommend you check out.

Thanks. Yes, I’ve been watching some of his vids. I’ll look back at the canon.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

I've been using a Canon R5 C shooting 8K RAW video (just regular - not for VR) for a long time now. Importantly for 3D180VR, it can shoot full 8K video at 60fps. Frankly, anyone who criticizes it clearly doesn't have a clue how to use it. The thing is a Netflix approved camera for goodness sake. My advice - ignore Amazon reviews.

Hugh Hou has a number of very useful videos on creating 3D180VR content with the camera and the dual fisheye lens, which I would recommend you check out.

Any recommendations on hand held stabilizers, gimbals?

 

[gerald.d]

Any recommendations on hand held stabilizers, gimbals?

Hugh covers this on his channel. Lots of gimbal reviews. This is a recent one...

 

[Timo_Existencia]

Thanks. Watching now

 

[Kierkegaarden]

I’m looking at the same. Have you found any new options? Not sure about Calf since they have no track record. Canon is apparently working on a lower cost 3D camera, but not sure when it will be released. My guess is that we will see a lot more options in the coming years, though I would like to start capturing video now.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

I’m looking at the same. Have you found any new options? Not sure about Calf since they have no track record. Canon is apparently working on a lower cost 3D camera, but not sure when it will be released. My guess is that we will see a lot more options in the coming years, though I would like to start capturing video now.

Yeah, wish I had more info about the new canon coming out. But you likely are seeing all the same options as I am. But still looking at the canon vr 180 lens & camera setup.

 

[Bodhitree]

Supposedly Apple created their own camera’s for shooting the Immersive Video content, not sure if those will ever be a product from Apple.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

Yeah, wish I had more info about the new canon coming out. But you likely are seeing all the same options as I am. But still looking at the canon vr 180 lens & camera setup.

I think I’m just going to stick with experimenting with the Vision Pro itself and the iPhone 15Pro until there are more and better options. I think the technology will evolve much faster in the coming years, so dropping $5k on the Canon now seems risky. I also think the workflow will improve. Right now you can’t just import the content directly into FCP and edit, so support should improve. Maybe Blackmagic will get into this market too.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

Supposedly Apple created their own camera’s for shooting the Immersive Video content, not sure if those will ever be a product from Apple.

Yeah, I spoke to someone about this during the demo — they weren’t sure if this is something they will release either. I think we might see a feature length film or series using this tech this year or next on TV+ — that would be bonkers.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

Supposedly Apple created their own camera’s for shooting the Immersive Video content, not sure if those will ever be a product from Apple.

If you watch the Alicia Keys rehearsal video you can see cameras set into white speaker towers around the room.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

I think I’m just going to stick with experimenting with the Vision Pro itself and the iPhone 15Pro until there are more and better options. I think the technology will evolve much faster in the coming years, so dropping $5k on the Canon now seems risky. I also think the workflow will improve. Right now you can’t just import the content directly into FCP and edit, so support should improve. Maybe Blackmagic will get into this market too.

This is the choice I’ve made for now as well, I bought the 15 Pro when I bought my AVP. I’ve been shooting a bunch of spatial video just as experimentation. I also bought a handheld stabilizer.

And watching a lot of Hugh Hou on YouTube

 

[G5isAlive]

Have you compared the spatial photos taken with the iPhone 15 pro with that taken with the AVP? It’s subjective but I swear the APV looks better.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

This is the choice I’ve made for now as well, I bought the 15 Pro when I bought my AVP. I’ve been shooting a bunch of spatial video just as experimentation. I also bought a handheld stabilizer.

And watching a lot of Hugh Hou on YouTube

Let me know if you find out about anything worthwhile, and I’ll do the same here. What handheld stabilizer did you get?

I was toying with the idea of shooting with a good 6K/8K 2D camera, but spatial/immersive videos elevate the experience so much that I don’t see much point for me.

 

[BanditoB]

I’m pondering ordering the Canon Dual Fisheye VR lens for my R5 C. I have read quite a few negative reviews about it, but they were mostly related to Canon’s VR software which was new at the time and was at V1.0. It’s now at V1.3 and has received some significant updates. The only downside is that unlike Canon’s other camera software, which is provided for free, the VR software is susbscription-based. It’s only about $60/year, but I really hate subscription-based software. I guess that you have to think that if they’re charging for it, they are continuing (hopefully) to work on, improve, and add new features to it.