Magic Lantern 0.1.6 release at DVinfo.net

Tramm Hudson · August 13th, 2009, 02:27 PM

After a month of development and testing, Magic Lantern 0.1.6 is finally ready! Some of the new features:

* Custom cropmarks bitmap file
* Live histogram while recording
* Time remaining estimate indicator
* Automated focus pulls
* Focus stacking
* HDR exposure bracketing
* Lens data (hyperfocal distance, DOF, etc)
* Cleaner, multi-level menus that timeout automatically
* Audio monitoring can be turned off during clip review
* Internal mic can be used (must enable audio.mic-power=1 in config)
* Output audio volume control
* Configuration can be saved into magiclantern.cfg

It is still beta, but lots of usability bugs have been fixed since the 0.1.5 release. There is new documentation being written and new cropmarks files will be available soon.

As before, please review the Frequently Asked Questions. Bug reports can be entered in the issue tracker.

Good luck!

Chris Barcellos · August 13th, 2009, 02:49 PM

As one of those who has had some prerelease testing experience, I can tell you that this version is much nicer to work with !

Set up your camera for a particular shoot, and save that configuration using the menu, and you are good to go on repeated start ups using that same CF card.

As an easy example, try cutting and pasting into the config file after downloading 0.1.6. This will give you a good starting place for testing with on board mic running:

# Magic Lantern 0.1.6 (4770e23b8cd9 tip)
# Build on 2009-08-10 22:54:23 by hudson@kremvax
# Configuration saved on 2009/08/10 16:51:20
disable-powersave = 1
debug.draw-event = 0
debug.menu-timeout = 15
debug.draw-prop = 0
debug.timed-dump = 0
audio.mgain = 5
audio.dgain.l = 18
audio.dgain.r = 12
audio.mic-power = 1
audio.lovl = 3
audio.o2gain = 0
audio.alc-enable = 0
audio.mic-in = 1
audio.loopback = 1
focus.step = 100
focus.count = 5
focus.rack-speed = 4
zebra.draw = 0
zebra.level = 61440
crop.draw = 0
crop.file = A:/cropmarks.bmp
edge.draw = 0
enable-liveview = 1
hist.draw = 0
hist.x = 582
hist.y = 100
timecode.x = 520
timecode.y = 50
timecode.width = 225
timecode.height = 60
timecode.warning = 120

Toenis Liivamaegi · August 13th, 2009, 02:55 PM

Ouch, this is good!

T

Andy Batt · August 13th, 2009, 05:34 PM

Firstly - amazing work. I can't express enough how incredible it is to have ML as a resource!

I saw Chris' 0.1.6 manual go up yesterday, and was excited to find the firmware today - so far so good - I've already setup a custom 16x9 cropmark, and been playing with the new settings.

One main question - I can't seem to activate the 'rack focus' feature - I'm able to set 'near' and 'far' points, and I've chosen the 'Rack Focus' option and hit the joystick button - but nada. Is it possible (or maybe it's already there) to activate this via a button while recording?

thanks again!

andy batt

Chris Hurd · August 13th, 2009, 06:58 PM

Outstanding. Congrats to Tramm and testers!

Zeke Kamm · August 13th, 2009, 07:39 PM

Very nice! Can't wait to try it out.

Thanks Tramm!

Chris Barcellos · August 13th, 2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Batt

Firstly - amazing work. I can't express enough how incredible it is to have ML as a resource!

I saw Chris' 0.1.6 manual go up yesterday, and was excited to find the firmware today - so far so good - I've already setup a custom 16x9 cropmark, and been playing with the new settings.

One main question - I can't seem to activate the 'rack focus' feature - I'm able to set 'near' and 'far' points, and I've chosen the 'Rack Focus' option and hit the joystick button - but nada. Is it possible (or maybe it's already there) to activate this via a button while recording?

thanks again!

andy batt

Andy:

Give out some particular of what you are shooting with, includings lenses, and how you are setting things up. All this will be necessary information as this is test tested further. Remember, this is Beta, which means we are all second level testing it and information will be greatly appreciated.

Daniel Browning · August 13th, 2009, 10:09 PM

Thanks, Tramm! It's working great here. I love it.

Andy Batt · August 13th, 2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Barcellos

Andy:

Give out some particular of what you are shooting with, includings lenses, and how you are setting things up. All this will be necessary information as this is test tested further. Remember, this is Beta, which means we are all second level testing it and information will be greatly appreciated.

Sure -
5dM2 with Canon 1.1.0 Firmware
50mm 1.4
Magic Lantern 0.1.6

In the Focus menu, I chose "FAR",
Moved down a line to the "FOCUS A" Focused to the FAR point, and pushed the joystick in (also tried the SET button)

Left the RACK SPEED at default (also tried different values)

Focused the lens to a near point, and chose the RACK FOCUS line and hit the joystick button - to no effect.

Did try the FOCUS STACKING - that worked like a charm!

I think that covers it...

andy

Jon Fairhurst · August 14th, 2009, 12:37 AM

My son did a rack focus shot tonight as we prepare for a 48-hour weekend. We set up a dolly and track, he pushed forward as the focus racked, we reviewed it on an HD monitor, and he pretty much jumped for joy. He had done two similar shots manually for a short film last winter, they took forever to set up, he did many takes, and they didn't look nearly as good. :)

Here's the method:

1) Zoom in
2) Manually focus the lens to one of the targets. This is best with a FTMF (full time manual focus) lens. Set the lens to AF.
3) Press the picture style button for the ML menu and go to the focus menu
4) If you focused to the near object, set the menu to FAR. If focused near, set to FAR.
5) Press the zoom button momentarily. You will see the number of steps change. Press and release, until you get in focus. Note the number, in case you go too far.
6) If you go too far, you can reset the value to zero, exit the menu, and go back to step 1.
7) Once properly set up, activate Rack Focus and it should do its thing.

If you toggle back and forth, you'll likely build up some errors. Just exit the menu, refocus one of the focus points, enter the menu, leave the same number of steps as before, and do more takes. Just make sure to set the NEAR or FAR in the direction that you will take next.

This feature kicks royal be-hind for narrative work!

Marten Dalfors · August 14th, 2009, 04:12 AM

Good work! I have tested the previous versions but never really used them. but now it's getting closer to actually use it.

Would it be possible to adjust the strength of the edge detection funtion? In the new version I think it's picking up to much (unsharp areas as well) which is causing a big portion of the display to be blocked by this information and it is hard to see what you are actually filming. Could there be some sort of parameter as with the zebra? For me this is important as it now is hard to use while filming.

Christian Ionescu · August 14th, 2009, 05:36 AM

I just loaded the new Magic Lantern and it's simply: wooooooooooooooooooooow!

Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaank youuuuu Tramm, you do a great job and deserve a reward!

Tom Daigon · August 14th, 2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christian Ionescu

I just loaded the new Magic Lantern and it's simply: wooooooooooooooooooooow!

Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaank youuuuu Tramm, you do a great job and deserve a reward!

So show your appreciation by making a donation at http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-eos...tion-link.html!

Chris Barcellos · August 14th, 2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Fairhurst

This feature kicks royal be-hind for narrative work!

Like I have said in private to you Jon and Trammel, you guys are forcing me to think about a dang autofocus lens. Jon what ones are working good for you ? Name brand Canons, others ?

Andy Batt · August 14th, 2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Barcellos

Like I have said in private to you Jon and Trammel, you guys are forcing me to think about a dang autofocus lens. Jon what ones are working good for you ? Name brand Canons, others ?

Hi Chris -

If price is no object - the 35mm 1.4 L series is one of my favorites - fast, smooth, great glass, very very clean.

I have a first gen 85mm 1.2 L series - really nice lens, for all the same reasons
I did just rent the Series II 85: it has the same amazing lens quality, with an improved AF system - much faster focus, shorter throw.

On a budget, the 100mm 2.8 macro is nice. I like my 50 1.4 - but the build quality and glass doesn't compare to the L series. Also, the focus ring has become a bit stiff - had it serviced recently by canon, and it's better but it's not aging as well as the L series.

IMHO - the 16-35mm zooms are useful, but are a compromise - the series 2 is better than the original. I would steer clear of the 70-200 - it was designed a long time ago, and IMHO isn't up to the current standard.

cheers

andy

August 13th, 2009, 02:27 PM	#1
Tramm Hudson Wizard Status Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 239	Magic Lantern 0.1.6 release After a month of development and testing, Magic Lantern 0.1.6 is finally ready! Some of the new features: * Custom cropmarks bitmap file * Live histogram while recording * Time remaining estimate indicator * Automated focus pulls * Focus stacking * HDR exposure bracketing * Lens data (hyperfocal distance, DOF, etc) * Cleaner, multi-level menus that timeout automatically * Audio monitoring can be turned off during clip review * Internal mic can be used (must enable audio.mic-power=1 in config) * Output audio volume control * Configuration can be saved into magiclantern.cfg It is still beta, but lots of usability bugs have been fixed since the 0.1.5 release. There is new documentation being written and new cropmarks files will be available soon. As before, please review the Frequently Asked Questions. Bug reports can be entered in the issue tracker. Good luck! Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Tramm Hudson; August 13th, 2009 at 02:57 PM. Reason: Added focus menu and custom cropmark display thumbnails

August 13th, 2009, 02:49 PM	#2
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	As one of those who has had some prerelease testing experience, I can tell you that this version is much nicer to work with ! Set up your camera for a particular shoot, and save that configuration using the menu, and you are good to go on repeated start ups using that same CF card. As an easy example, try cutting and pasting into the config file after downloading 0.1.6. This will give you a good starting place for testing with on board mic running: # Magic Lantern 0.1.6 (4770e23b8cd9 tip) # Build on 2009-08-10 22:54:23 by hudson@kremvax # Configuration saved on 2009/08/10 16:51:20 disable-powersave = 1 debug.draw-event = 0 debug.menu-timeout = 15 debug.draw-prop = 0 debug.timed-dump = 0 audio.mgain = 5 audio.dgain.l = 18 audio.dgain.r = 12 audio.mic-power = 1 audio.lovl = 3 audio.o2gain = 0 audio.alc-enable = 0 audio.mic-in = 1 audio.loopback = 1 focus.step = 100 focus.count = 5 focus.rack-speed = 4 zebra.draw = 0 zebra.level = 61440 crop.draw = 0 crop.file = A:/cropmarks.bmp edge.draw = 0 enable-liveview = 1 hist.draw = 0 hist.x = 582 hist.y = 100 timecode.x = 520 timecode.y = 50 timecode.width = 225 timecode.height = 60 timecode.warning = 120 __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

August 13th, 2009, 05:34 PM	#4
Andy Batt Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 39	Focus Rack? Firstly - amazing work. I can't express enough how incredible it is to have ML as a resource! I saw Chris' 0.1.6 manual go up yesterday, and was excited to find the firmware today - so far so good - I've already setup a custom 16x9 cropmark, and been playing with the new settings. One main question - I can't seem to activate the 'rack focus' feature - I'm able to set 'near' and 'far' points, and I've chosen the 'Rack Focus' option and hit the joystick button - but nada. Is it possible (or maybe it's already there) to activate this via a button while recording? thanks again! andy batt

August 13th, 2009, 06:58 PM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Outstanding. Congrats to Tramm and testers! __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

August 13th, 2009, 07:39 PM	#6
Zeke Kamm Tourist Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 4	Very nice! Can't wait to try it out. Thanks Tramm! __________________ ------- Editor NicePhotoMag.com

August 13th, 2009, 02:55 PM	#3
Toenis Liivamaegi Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tartu, Estonia Posts: 579	Ouch, this is good! T

August 13th, 2009, 10:09 PM	#8
Daniel Browning Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 949	Working great here, thanks! Thanks, Tramm! It's working great here. I love it.

August 14th, 2009, 12:37 AM	#10
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	My son did a rack focus shot tonight as we prepare for a 48-hour weekend. We set up a dolly and track, he pushed forward as the focus racked, we reviewed it on an HD monitor, and he pretty much jumped for joy. He had done two similar shots manually for a short film last winter, they took forever to set up, he did many takes, and they didn't look nearly as good. :) Here's the method: 1) Zoom in 2) Manually focus the lens to one of the targets. This is best with a FTMF (full time manual focus) lens. Set the lens to AF. 3) Press the picture style button for the ML menu and go to the focus menu 4) If you focused to the near object, set the menu to FAR. If focused near, set to FAR. 5) Press the zoom button momentarily. You will see the number of steps change. Press and release, until you get in focus. Note the number, in case you go too far. 6) If you go too far, you can reset the value to zero, exit the menu, and go back to step 1. 7) Once properly set up, activate Rack Focus and it should do its thing. If you toggle back and forth, you'll likely build up some errors. Just exit the menu, refocus one of the focus points, enter the menu, leave the same number of steps as before, and do more takes. Just make sure to set the NEAR or FAR in the direction that you will take next. This feature kicks royal be-hind for narrative work! __________________ Jon Fairhurst

August 14th, 2009, 04:12 AM	#11
Marten Dalfors Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden Posts: 61	Good work! I have tested the previous versions but never really used them. but now it's getting closer to actually use it. Would it be possible to adjust the strength of the edge detection funtion? In the new version I think it's picking up to much (unsharp areas as well) which is causing a big portion of the display to be blocked by this information and it is hard to see what you are actually filming. Could there be some sort of parameter as with the zebra? For me this is important as it now is hard to use while filming.

August 14th, 2009, 05:36 AM	#12
Christian Ionescu Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bucuresti, Romania Posts: 41	Woooooooooooooooow! I just loaded the new Magic Lantern and it's simply: wooooooooooooooooooooow! Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaank youuuuu Tramm, you do a great job and deserve a reward!