Magic Lantern (firmware)
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| Basic data
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| Publishing year | 2009 |
| programming language | C. |
| License | GNU General Public License |
| magiclantern.fm | |
Magic Lantern (English name for Laterna magica ) is a manufacturer-independent firmware extension for various digital cameras from the Japanese manufacturer Canon . On the software side, it primarily expands the video functions of the cameras. The newly introduced real-time operating system DryOS is used for the DIGIC -4 or DIGIC-V image processor .
Development history
Magic Lantern was written by Trammel Hudson for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II in 2009 . In July 2010 it was ported to the Canon EOS 550D (version 1.0.8) by the same author . From September 2010, Magic Lantern was ported for use on other EOS cameras by various developers who developed the free firmware extension Canon Hack Development Kit (CHDK) for digital Canon compact cameras. The following models are currently supported:
| Camera (EOS) |
|---|
| 5D Mark II |
| 5D Mark III |
| 6D |
| 7D |
| 50D |
| 60D |
| 500D |
| 550D |
| 600D |
| 650D |
| 700D |
| 1100D |
| M. |
Versions for 70D and 100D are in the works .
Since 2011 Magic Lantern has been further developed by several developers with constant change; However, decisive decisions are made by the main developers “a1ex”, “g3gg0” and “nanomad”.
The software is published under the GNU General Public License .
In addition to the cameras operated with the DryOS operating system, there are three known development paths for cameras with the older operating system VxWorks (before 2007), 5Dclassic, 40D and 1000D, which apparently have a very similar firmware structure. A build has already been published for the 5D, nightly builds for the 40D and 1000D with limited functionality exist, but no official releases.
Working method
Magic Lantern uses a Canon developer feature that executes a file on the memory card when the camera starts up. This feature makes it possible to load the expansion into the RAM without changing the ROM or the firmware it contains and to deactivate it at any time by replacing the memory card.
Function overview
The most important properties are:
- RAW videos (14 bit per pixel Bayer sensor data, up to over 100 MByte / s)
- Dual ISO mode (expansion of the dynamic range in one image)
- Focus peaking , follow focus
- Cropmarks (custom crop lines)
- Audio level control
- finer ISO steps
- HDR videos
- "Zebra mode" (marks areas without image information and areas with overexposure and underexposure before taking the picture)
- Crop marks
- Bracketing for HDR photography
- Intervalometer and exposure adjustment for time-lapse recordings
- Bit rate control in movie mode
Magic Lantern can also be expanded with additional modules. A precise HDMI output, an anamorphic preview and user-defined gradation curves are also planned .
Originally developed for use in DSLR film production, the advanced functions of Magic Lantern also provide useful tools for photographers.
Manufacturer guarantee
Since Magic Lantern does not replace the original Canon firmware and also does not modify the memory content of the ROM, the expansion involves few risks and is easy to remove again. Canon itself did not make any official statements about the firmware upgrade, neither regarding the warranty nor the feature upgrade, but has stated in response to emails that the warranty will not cover damage caused by third-party firmware. It will not cover related issues, such as buttons not working, even with third-party firmware installed.
literature
- Martin Schwabe: Canon tuning with Magic Lantern. In: c't Digitale Fotografie , issue 3/2015, pp. 124-139.
Web links
- Official Magic Lantern site (English)
- Magic Lantern Firmware Wiki (English)
- Martin Schwabe: Magic Lantern. (5 parts), fotocommunity photo school (accessed October 26, 2016).
- Stefan Gross: EOS 5D Mark II firmware hack. Magic Lantern in a practical test. Video on traumflieger.de (accessed on October 26, 2016).
Individual evidence
- ↑ http://www.magiclantern.fm/#features_overlay
- ↑ Unified - Magic Lantern Firmware Wiki
- ↑ Unified User Guide - Magic Lantern Firmware . In: Magic Lantern Firmware Wiki . Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ↑ FAQ - Magic Lantern Firmware Wiki . In: Magic Lantern Firmware Wiki . Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ↑ RAW-like highlight recovery in Movie Mode . In: Magic Lantern Firmware Development Google Groups . Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ↑ Digital Convergence Episode 3 - Trammell Hudson and Magic Lantern Firmware for the Canon 5D Mark II . In: Creative Method . Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ↑ Michael Zöller: Magic Lantern. Free software on your camera. (Video recording from the Chaos Communication Congress 2013), Chaos Computer Club eV, December 28, 2013, accessed on October 26, 2016.
- ↑ Will Custom Firmware Void My Warranty? Canon, Nikon and Panasonic Respond. , PetaPixel, May 27, 2013, accessed October 26, 2016.