Magic Lantern Firmware: Odd that I have not seen any discussion of this topic....I installed this firmware on my T2i and really enjoy it. May be because there seem to be more Nikon...

Mytherwyn Loc: United States

Odd that I have not seen any discussion of this topic....I installed this firmware on my T2i and really enjoy it. May be because there seem to be more Nikon users here...no ideal.

Magic Lantern is an enhancement atop of Canon's firmware that frees your Canon DSLR, allowing you to use many useful features. Initially developed for filmmakers, it now has functionality for both photo and video enthusiasts, including manual audio, zebras, focus assist tools, bracketing, motion detection and much more. It is an open (GPL) framework for developing extensions to the official software. It does not replace the existing firmware, but instead runs along side of it. There is no need to "uninstall" it -- simply format your card to reboot to the stock Canon firmware.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Mytherwyn wrote:

Odd that I have not seen any discussion of this to... (show quote)

ML works great on the 5D Mk III. I'm waiting for it to be available for the 7D.
But it is NOT for everybody. It adds flexibility which means more complexity.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

I have been using it on my Canon Rebel T2i with no problems. The enhancements for video work is the main reason I use it. Being able to manually adjust sound and turn off the AGC is important to me.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Mytherwyn wrote:

Odd that I have not seen any discussion of this to... (show quote)

I read a little bit about it and have seen some videos that cover it on Youtube... one very interesting thing that it is supposed to do is enable 50D users to shoot video on their cameras... I was a little bit hesitant to install because of all the warnings about locking up your camera and turning it into a brick, but that really does not seem to be an issue as I have only seen positive reviews from users. I have not installed it but would be happy to gain your thoughts on the software especially on the photo side as I am not currently interested in videography as much as I am the photo side.

Mytherwyn Loc: United States

Blurryeyed wrote:

quote=Mytherwyn Odd that I have not seen any disc... (show quote)

I use it for several different reasons. I use the "audio" shot taking feature, for me just saying a word while focusing in live view is easier than an electronic remote. I also use the auto focus stacking menu, click once and the camera takes the next several pictures by it self while refocusing. I really don't shoot much video so can't say much there.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

How much does it cost?

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

jeep_daddy wrote:

How much does it cost?

How does free sound?

nbenadom Loc: Originally WV, now FL

I just switched from Olympus E series to the T3i. I downloaded the ML program but haven't installed it for the same warnings listed above. I've also checked out the videos online about it, but since I'm new to Canon, I still don't really understand how much better this makes the camera.

Also, since the SD card needs to be made bootable, do the images go on this same card as well, or do I swap out cards for the images once the camera is on?

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

The images go on the same card as the software. The software takes up very little space.

gunwolf Loc: Currently - Central MA

I've been using ML on my T2i for a couple of months now with no problems at all.
It's great for video but I use it mostly for photography.
For HDR I'm not limited to just 3 exposures.
For long exposures I'm not limited to just 30 sec.
And so many more things.
It does so much for photography work and takes up so little space on a card.
-Wayne

Mytherwyn Loc: United States

gunwolf wrote:

I've been using ML on my T2i for a couple of months now with no problems at all.
It's great for video but I use it mostly for photography.
For HDR I'm not limited to just 3 exposures.
For long exposures I'm not limited to just 30 sec.
And so many more things.
It does so much for photography work and takes up so little space on a card.
-Wayne

And time lapse...wow!

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

gunwolf wrote:

I've been using ML on my T2i for a couple of months now with no problems at all.
It's great for video but I use it mostly for photography.
For HDR I'm not limited to just 3 exposures.
For long exposures I'm not limited to just 30 sec.
And so many more things.
It does so much for photography work and takes up so little space on a card.
-Wayne

Uggh Long exposures.... The other night we had a brilliant moon so I went out to play around with a little night time photography and almost wish I hadn't as lots of hot pixels showed up on my 30 second exposures that I had no idea were there.... But not to worry I immediately looked in to it a found that it can hardly be avoided and the older the camera gets the more that I can expect.... I guess that is why god allowed Adobe to create the cloning and healing tools.

nbenadom Loc: Originally WV, now FL

Thanks for the info! HDR and IR is what I mainly use the camera for, so those settings changes will help a lot. The 30"- Bulb with no in-between is really killing my shots.

nbenadom Loc: Originally WV, now FL

Okay, I thought of another dumb question. If I swap memory cards, will I have to have magic lantern on the other cards as well? If not, do I leave the camera on while I swap cards out?

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

nbenadom wrote:

Okay, I thought of another dumb question. If I swap memory cards, will I have to have magic lantern on the other cards as well? If not, do I leave the camera on while I swap cards out?

Yes, if you want it to remain active. No, if you want it to be inactive. The software is loaded from the card each time you power up. If it is not on a card, it does not become active.

But! NEVER NEVER swap memory cards when the camera is on! You can corrupt your pictures in the card, and even lose everything on the entire card.
ALWAYS turn the camera off when swapping the memory card!