Magic Lantern (firmware)
{{Short description|Firmware add-on for the Canon EOS cameras by Trammell Hudson}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Magic Lantern
| logo = MagicLanternLOGO-SVG-Datei.svg
| logo_size = 150px
| logo_alt = Magic Lantern logo
| author = Trammell Hudson"[https://trmm.net/Magic_Lantern_firmware Magic Lantern firmware]". Trammell Hudson. Accessed 31 August 2017
| released = 2009
| latest release version =
| latest release date =
| latest preview version =
| latest preview date =
| status =
| programming language =
| operating system =
| platform =
| size =
| language =
| language footnote =
| genre =
| license = GNU GPLv2
| alexa =
| website = {{URL|magiclantern.fm}}
| standard =
| AsOf =
}}
Magic Lantern is a firmware add-on for various Canon digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras and the EOS M."[https://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/how-to-unlock-more-features-on-your-canon-dslr/ Unlock hidden features on your Canon dSLR]". Lexy Savvides, CNET, 12 December 2014. Accessed 31 August 2017 It adds features for DSLR filmmaking and still photography, and is free and open-source.
Magic Lantern was originally written for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II"[http://lifehacker.com/5729101/transform-your-dslr-into-a-supercharged-professional-video-camera Transform Your DSLR into a Supercharged, Professional Video Camera]". Adam Dachis, Lifehacker, 1/10/2011. Accessed 31 August 2017 by Trammell Hudson in 2009 after he reverse engineered its firmware. He ported it to the Canon EOS 550D in July 2010. There are now versions for many other Canon DSLRs and the current principal developer is known as A1ex.
Since installing Magic Lantern does not replace the stock Canon firmware or modify the ROM but rather runs alongside it, it is both easy to remove and carries little risk. The camera checks a "boot flag" in its re-writable memory, and if set, reads from a memory card to get the additional firmware routines. Each time the camera is started, there is an option to disable Magic Lantern.
History
Magic Lantern firmware was originally written for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II"[https://www.wired.com/2009/06/magic-lantern-firmware-supercharges-canon-5d-mkii/ Magic Lantern Firmware Supercharges Canon 5D MkII]". Charlie Sorrel, Wired (magazine), 24 June 2009. Accessed 31 August 2017 by Trammell Hudson in 2009 after he reverse engineered its firmware. He ported it to the Canon EOS 550D[http://www.gizmag.com/magic-lantern-canon-eos-7d-cracked/24189/ Magic Lantern team finally cracks the Canon EOS 7D]. Gizmag. Accessed 31 August 2017 in July 2010.
Starting in September 2010, a person using the name "A1ex" on the CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kit) website forum and other people ported Magic Lantern to the Canon EOS 50D, 60D,"[https://www.theverge.com/2011/12/21/2651863/magic-lantern-HDR-firmware-Canon-DSLR-video Magic Lantern firmware adds HDR video to Canon DSLRs]". T.C. Sottek, The Verge, 21 December 2011. Accessed 31 August 2017 500D and 600D. As of August 2017 support for the Canon EOS 5D, 5D Mk III,"[https://petapixel.com/2017/04/03/magic-lantern-adds-4k-raw-canon-5d-mark-iii-announces-april-1st/ Magic Lantern Adds 4K RAW to Canon 5D Mark III, Announces It on April 1st]". 3 April 2017, PetaPixel. Accessed 31 August 2017 6D, 7D, 60Da, 650D, 700D, and 1100D DSLRs and the mirror-less EOS M had also been added. Later mirrorless cameras are not supported because they use a codebase similar to Canon PowerShot cameras rather than Canon EOS cameras; therefore CHDK ports are planned.{{cn|date=March 2018}}
Originally developed for DSLR filmmaking, Magic Lantern's features have expanded to also include those for still photography.{{cite web | url = http://media.ccc.de/browse/congress/2013/30C3_-_5554_-_en_-_saal_6_-_201312281400_-_magic_lantern_-_michael_zoller.html | title = Magic Lantern - Free Software on Your Camera | author = Michael Zöller | date = 2012-12-30 | accessdate = 2014-01-06 | publisher = Chaos Communication Congress}}{{Cite web |url=http://16x9cinema.com/digital-convergence-podcast/2010/2/10/digital-convergence-episode-3-trammell-hudson-and-magic-lant.html |title=Digital Convergence Episode 3 – Trammell Hudson and Magic Lantern Firmware for the Canon 5D Mark II |access-date=2013-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212002753/http://16x9cinema.com/digital-convergence-podcast/2010/2/10/digital-convergence-episode-3-trammell-hudson-and-magic-lant.html |archive-date=2010-12-12 |url-status=usurped }}
Features
- Firmware and source code is released under the GNU General Public License.[http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Unified Unified - Magic Lantern Firmware Wiki]
- Audio controls, on-screen audio meter, audio monitoring via A/V cable
- HDR video, bitrate control, FPS control, auto-restart
- Precise ISO, White Balance, and Shutter Speed controls
- Zebras, false color -- histogram, waveform, spot meter, vectorscope
- Focus peaking, 'magic zoom', trap focus, rack focus, follow focus, motion detection
- Automatic Exposure Bracketing, focus stacking
- Intervalometer, bulb timer (up to 8 hours), bulb ramping
- Custom cropmarks/on-screen graphics
- On-screen focus and DOF info, CMOS temperature, clock
- Customizable menus and scripting
- Customizable "P" Program mode
- 14-bit raw video on some DSLRs"[https://www.pdnonline.com/gear/cameras/dslr/can-now-record-4k-canon-5d-mark-iii/ You Can Now Record 4K on a Canon 5D Mark III]". Photo District News, 4 April 2017. Accessed 31 August 2017
- Dual-ISO for increased dynamic range"[https://www.dpreview.com/articles/2072671812/magic-lantern-firmware-expands-canon-eos-5d-mark-iii-dynamic-range Magic Lantern firmware boosts dynamic range of Canon 5D III, 7D]". Digital Photography Review, 17 July 2013. Accessed 31 August 2017 up to about 3 EV, with trade-off of somewhat less resolution and more complicated post processing involving cr2dng
- Auto-Dot-Tune on some DSLRs for automatic micro-focus-adjustment to calibrate lens and body (5D Mk II, 6D, 50D, 5D Mk III and 7D)
Selected screenshots of advanced functions
Canon-EOS-100D-Magic-Lantern-Screenshot-Display-with-ML-Info-17-02-2023.png|Main screen with additional information
Canon-EOS-100D-Magic-Lantern-Screenshot-Expo-Screen-12-02-2023.png|Expo menu with advanced exposure functions
Canon-EOS-100D-Magic-Lantern-Screenshot-Advanced-Bracket-Options-17-02-2023.png|Advanced bracket options with up to 11 images
Canon-EOS-100D-Magic-Lantern-Screenshot-Modules-Menu-24-02-2023.png|Extensibility via modules and Lua scripts
Canon-EOS-100D-Magic-Lantern-Screenshot-Menus-Screen-12-02-2023.png|Overview screen of all functions
Magic Lantern liveview overlay.jpg|Overlays on the live view screen
Magic Lantern audio menu.jpg|Audio menu on the Canon 5D Mark II
Original Canon warranty
{{unreliable sources|date=August 2016}}
Because installing Magic Lantern does not replace the stock Canon firmware or modify the ROM but rather runs alongside it, it is both easy to remove and carries little risk. Canon has not made any official statements regarding the add-on firmware, either on the subject of warranty or on the features.{{cite web|title=Unified User Guide – Magic Lantern Firmware|url=http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Unified/UserGuide|work=Magic Lantern Firmware Wiki|accessdate=23 February 2012}}{{Unreliable source|date=August 2017}}{{cite web|title=FAQ – Magic Lantern Firmware WIKI|url=http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ|work=Magic Lantern Firmware Wiki|accessdate=23 February 2012}}{{Unreliable source|date=August 2017}} In response to emails Canon has stated that while their warranty doesn't cover damage caused by third party firmware, it will cover unrelated issues such as malfunctioning buttons even if third party firmware has been installed.{{cite web |url=http://petapixel.com/2013/05/27/will-custom-firmware-void-my-warranty-canon-nikon-and-panasonic-respond/ |title=Will Custom Firmware Void My Warranty? Canon, Nikon and Panasonic Respond |last1=Cade |first1=DL |date=May 27, 2013 |website=Petapixel |accessdate=17 January 2014}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Magic Lantern firmware|Magic Lantern}}
- {{Official website|www.magiclantern.fm}}