Magic Lantern firmware released

Jeff Lower · June 22nd, 2009, 08:14 AM

Fantastic, and just in time for a shoot I have tomorrow.

Thanks Tramm for taking an already great camera and making it better.

Jon Fairhurst · June 22nd, 2009, 08:33 AM

Anthony, Mathieu,

The recording quality of the juicedLink into Magic Lantern is awesome. But there are still reasons to record double system in some cases. It really depends on the size of the crew.

If you have a dedicated audio team, they can run untethered from the camera.

If you are are a one person crew, or want fast turnaround in post, recording into the camera makes the most sense.

So, both of your perspectives are valid, depending on the context.

Chris Barcellos · June 22nd, 2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathieu Kassovitz

How many minutes does it take for booting the ML firmware?

about 10 seconds.

Sean Seah · June 22nd, 2009, 09:12 AM

this is awesome! I think the Canon dudes should be working on 1.11 now to catch up!!

Glen Elliott · June 22nd, 2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Seah

this is awesome! I think the Canon dudes should be working on 1.11 now to catch up!!

That's what I'm HOPING for!

Douglas Joseph · June 22nd, 2009, 12:12 PM

Will the magic lantern firmware void out the warranty of the camera?

Tramm Hudson · June 22nd, 2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas Joseph

Will the magic lantern firmware void out the warranty of the camera?

That's a good question. It is very similar to CHDK, which has a FAQ: Does using the CHDK program void your warranty?:

Quote:

First, please bear in mind that CHDK comes with no warranty for any use; you use it at your own risk. What follows is just a few thoughts, and is not a legal opinion. Many believe that using the CHDK does not harm your warranty, since it is said to be loaded into the memory only temporarily (turn off the cam and it's gone completely) and that it leaves the original camera firmware untouched.

They include an email exchange with Canon:

Quote:

After researching this software on the internet it appears that CHDK doesn't make any actual changes to your camera. If you delete the CHDK software from your memory card, or if you choose not to activate the CHDK software on the card (or remove and replace the batteries), then the camera will behave absolutely normally - nothing has been (or ever is) changed, so the warranty is not affected.

The Magic Lantern firmware is distributed with NO WARRANTY and NO GUARANTEES are provided. It might work. It might not. It hasn't destroyed any cameras yet, but who knows.

Matthew Roddy · June 22nd, 2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen Elliott

That's what I'm HOPING for!

If I were management at Cannon, I'd be most vexed with their programmers. I'd say, "Tramm Hudson did what you haven't been able to do. You Are The Weakest Link. You're Fired. Someone get Tramm on the line and hire him for the combined salaries of everyone I just fired."

Ok, that's partly tongue-in-cheek, but still, you get the idea.

Jon Fairhurst · June 22nd, 2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tramm Hudson

The Magic Lantern firmware is distributed with NO WARRANTY and NO GUARANTEES are provided. It might work. It might not. It hasn't destroyed any cameras yet, but who knows.

During alpha testing, I would turn off the camera and yank the battery after each set of captures, just to make sure that the firmware was yanked and no processes were left resident. That way I felt comfortable testing a series of builds. For people who are worried about the firmware, I recommend this approach, just to calm any fears.

BTW, after each series of tests, I would download the files to the PC using a card reader. I then deleted the media files manually time and time and time again without reformatting the card. I would also delete the older firmware and copy new firmware to the card, again without reformatting. I never had any problems. Many people only delete the media with an in-camera reformat, but I found that this was not necessary.

However, if you are a worrier, you can reformat the card in the camera to clear the card, and then add the firmware in the PC each time to ensure a perfectly clean starting point.

One nice thing about loading the firmware is that the camera will stop you if your battery is too low. That not only protects the camera, but it protects us from losing the next take to a low battery.

Jon Fairhurst · June 22nd, 2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Roddy

If I were management at Cannon, I'd be most vexed with their programmers...

The Canon programmers did a great job. I think the problem was with the camera specifications.

Keep in mind that much of the camera spec is awesome, especially where it counts - image quality. It was (and is) just missing a few important features. I wouldn't fire the spec authors though. I would just encourage them not to repeat past mistakes. :)

Tony Tibbetts · June 22nd, 2009, 01:53 PM

First of all, I want to extend a big thank you to Tramm. This is simply amazing. I plan to donate as soon as I can (i.e. afford to) and I think anybody who uses this camera should do so as well.

I believe efforts like this will get Canon to update the firmware faster than any other campaign. I think Tramm deserves (I don't use that word lightly) as many donations as he can get, because when Canon finally updates the firmware, Tramm is, figuratively speaking, back to square one.

In my opinion it is his efforts that provide the biggest push for Canon to implement these features in future updates.

Paul Mailath · June 22nd, 2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Fairhurst

The Canon programmers did a great job. I think the problem was with the camera specifications.

It may well be that the programmers already know what can be achieved but are limited by management. Canon has to consider their product pipeline, they don't wnt to canabilise their own sales. The programmers and camera designers may be secretly pleased with Tramms efforts but management would not be happy and the people they'd be yelling at arn't the programmers. Right now my guess is the company lawyers are the ones working double shifts.

Xavier Plagaro · June 23rd, 2009, 12:20 AM

Congratulations Tramm!!! ;-DD

Rick Hill · June 23rd, 2009, 01:24 PM

Congrats on the front page post on Slashdot!

Slashdot Hardware Story | GPL Firmware For Canon 5D Mark II Adds Features For Film Makers

Jon Fairhurst · June 23rd, 2009, 02:24 PM

Here it is on Gizmodo...

Gizmodo - Magic Lantern Firmware Unlocks the Canon 5D Mark II's A/V Potential - Canon 5D Mark II

June 22nd, 2009, 08:33 AM	#17
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Anthony, Mathieu, The recording quality of the juicedLink into Magic Lantern is awesome. But there are still reasons to record double system in some cases. It really depends on the size of the crew. If you have a dedicated audio team, they can run untethered from the camera. If you are are a one person crew, or want fast turnaround in post, recording into the camera makes the most sense. So, both of your perspectives are valid, depending on the context. __________________ Jon Fairhurst Last edited by Jon Fairhurst; June 22nd, 2009 at 01:24 PM.

June 22nd, 2009, 12:12 PM	#21
Douglas Joseph Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Zanesville OH Posts: 205	Will the magic lantern firmware void out the warranty of the camera? __________________ "Warriors... Come out to play..." www.importexporthd.com

June 23rd, 2009, 02:24 PM	#30
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Here it is on Gizmodo... Gizmodo - Magic Lantern Firmware Unlocks the Canon 5D Mark II's A/V Potential - Canon 5D Mark II __________________ Jon Fairhurst

June 22nd, 2009, 08:14 AM	#16
Jeff Lower Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 36	Fantastic, and just in time for a shoot I have tomorrow. Thanks Tramm for taking an already great camera and making it better.

June 22nd, 2009, 09:12 AM	#19
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	this is awesome! I think the Canon dudes should be working on 1.11 now to catch up!!

June 22nd, 2009, 01:53 PM	#26
Tony Tibbetts Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 385	First of all, I want to extend a big thank you to Tramm. This is simply amazing. I plan to donate as soon as I can (i.e. afford to) and I think anybody who uses this camera should do so as well. I believe efforts like this will get Canon to update the firmware faster than any other campaign. I think Tramm deserves (I don't use that word lightly) as many donations as he can get, because when Canon finally updates the firmware, Tramm is, figuratively speaking, back to square one. In my opinion it is his efforts that provide the biggest push for Canon to implement these features in future updates.

June 23rd, 2009, 12:20 AM	#28
Xavier Plagaro Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 90	Congratulations Tramm!!! ;-DD

June 23rd, 2009, 01:24 PM	#29
Rick Hill Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: McHenry, Illinois Posts: 55	Congrats on the front page post on Slashdot! Slashdot Hardware Story \| GPL Firmware For Canon 5D Mark II Adds Features For Film Makers