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5D Mark II: Focus peaking, focus zoom, time-lapse, ... !!
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 2:27 pm    Post subject: 5D Mark II: Focus peaking, focus zoom, time-lapse, ... !! Reply with quote
Last night I donated a small amount and had the chance to test the preview release
of the Magic Lantern custom firmware for 5D Mark II (and other Canon cameras).

This functions as an add-on to the Canon firmware and adds impressive features, such as
- Focus peaking
- Zooming a part of the image in a window to check focus
- Timelapse

And much much more.
Although it is primary designed to address the cinematographers' requests, it also helps MF lenses users a lot.

Sorry for the bad images. I will try to make better ones, but you get the idea.

1. Focus peaking


2. Focus zoom. This is simply AMAZING.


3. The Magic Lantern menu. Tens of new features...


The Magic Lantern firmware's code is open source.
I have downloaded the code and I will sure play with it Smile
I was disappointed to see that Canon uses a version of DOS (yes DOS), as the operating system in their cameras.

More info in the Magic Lantern wiki:
http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Magic_Lantern_Firmware_Wiki

Last edited by Nikos on Sun Mar 11, 2012 2:41 pm; edited 2 times in total


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 2:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Can we simple mortals with a 5D Mark II use this stuff ?
(even if we are unable to programme even our microwave oven? Smile )


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 2:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
Can we simple mortals with a 5D Mark II use this stuff ?
(even if we are unable to programme even our microwave oven? Smile )


It is VERY simple, Orio!
You just format the CF and copy a few files to it.
Then you select the firmware update option from the menu.
That's it!

It is a completely non-destructive change.
The firmware add-on loads from the CF card.
You can have CF cards either with or without it.

I am impressed.


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 2:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Is it possible to get back to Canon's firmware?
Example: if Canon releases a new firmware.


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 2:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
Is it possible to get back to Canon's firmware?
Example: if Canon releases a new firmware.


I don't think you'll see another firmware update for the 5D2 Orio now that the 5D3 is out.

The last firmware update for the original 5D was CF card related (upping the capacity to 16gb) and then the 5D2 appeared - just like the last one for the 5D2 was also card related, and then we got the 5D3...


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 2:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
"preview release" means it's not available for download yet?


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 2:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
Is it possible to get back to Canon's firmware?
Example: if Canon releases a new firmware.

I just entered a CF card without Magic Lantern to my camera.
The camera did not load the add-on (as it did not find anything in the card) and I was instantly back to Canon's firmware.

The only change made to Canon's firmware is that they turn a flag on, which allows loading code from the CF card.
Even this is reversible easily.

If Canon releases new firmware, you can simply update to it following the well-known procedure.

Orio wrote:
"preview release" means it's not available for download yet?

For the moment it is only downloadable for users who make a donation. I donated 10 Euro.
You could make a 5 Euro donation, or perhaps you can find someone who has it already.

Last edited by Nikos on Sun Mar 11, 2012 3:05 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 2:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hey, what's wrong with DOS? Laughing If it wasn't DOS it would be Linux I guess Wink

Thanks for showing us these new features, the Magic Lantern project has done some pretty clever stuff!


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 2:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Does it work with firmware 2.1.2 ?
I only see a link for firmware 2.1.1


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 3:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
ManualFocus-G wrote:
Hey, what's wrong with DOS? Laughing If it wasn't DOS it would be Linux I guess Wink

Thanks for showing us these new features, the Magic Lantern project has done some pretty clever stuff!

Time-lapse is also very interesting.
The firmware only offers a shot every 2 sec.
But we have the code Wink

Ironically, just before downloading Magic Lantern, I ordered an intervalometer Smile
At least it was cheap (22 pounds).

Last edited by Nikos on Sun Mar 11, 2012 3:04 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 3:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
Does it work with firmware 2.1.2 ?
I only see a link for firmware 2.1.1

Yes, this is for 2.1.1

I think the only change in 2.1.2 regarded some very recent CF cards, not really interesting.
To test it, you could return to 2.1.1
This is easy. I have kept the file if you do not have it.

Testing it with 2.1.2 could be an expensive mistake.


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 3:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
thanks Nikos
you can put it, I just did it
if even me could do it, anybody can


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 3:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
poilu wrote:
thanks Nikos
you can put it, I just did it
if even me could do it, anybody can

It may take some time to get used to it.
To enter the extra menu, press the DELETE button

For me, it did not work properly until I turned on the camera while keeping the SET button pressed.
I have a very early model of 5D Mark II (bought in Dec. 2008).
Perhaps your experience will be different.


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 4:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have installed the 2.0.9 version, I will see if I need the betas or wait the stable version
for video it is great, I don't use liveview a lot for photography but the focus zoom is nice


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
You can check your shutter release count in the debug menu of Magic Lantern.
Mine is at 37k photos Smile


I also like a lot the ability to overlay an image (with guides etc) on the screen.
This is one of the included, but you can even draw your own.

And I wonder, was it so difficult for Canon to offer these features?
Of course not!



PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 8:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Wow amazing stuff Nikos. Do let us you how you get on with that "peak focusing" feature! Thanks.


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 8:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I hope they will make it for 2.1.2, I don't want to lose fast cards compatibility.
Fast cards are as important as good focusing.


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I donated and updated to 2.1.1 version, hope they make it even better


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
What can happen wrong if I use their 2.1.1 tools on my 2.1.2 machine?


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
What can happen wrong if I use their 2.1.1 tools on my 2.1.2 machine?


the 2.1.2 work better only for udma7 cards made after February 2012, if you have a 2011 card it will not go better
this Magic Lantern help a lot in video mode, less for photography
interesting features: focus peaking, time lapse,
better histogram, zebras who show over or under exposed zones,
trap focus who take the pic only when in focus Smile , user cropmark
they also have a ghost image who can be selected from last shots
maybe a future version will have a panorama assist or automatic
they even develop python plugin, maybe we will soon get tetris and pacman Smile
I donate to help make it better even if it is not critical for my workflow

Quote:
Features
• Audio: disable AGC and digital filters, audio meters, manual audio controls, selectable
input source (internal, internal+external, external stereo, balanced), audio monitoring
via USB.
• Exposure helpers: zebras, false color, histogram, waveform, spotmeter.
• Focus tools: focus peaking, zoom while recording, trap focus, rack focus, follow focus,
focus stacking, zoom in Face Detect mode.
• Movie helpers: Bitrate control (QScale or CBR), movie logging (Exif-like metadata), autorestart
after buffer overflow or 4 GB limit, clean LiveView display without any overlays,
change movie position on the mode dial.
• Cropmark images: user-editable overlays to assist framing and composition.
• Fine control for ISO, Shutter, Kelvin white balance and other image settings.
• Remote release with LCD face sensor and audio trigger, without extra hardware.
• Bracketing: exposure bracketing, focus stacking.
• Timelapse: intervalometer (for photos and movies), silent pictures without shutter actuation.
• Astro- and night photography: bulb timer for very long exposures (up to 8h).
• Info displays: focus and DOF info, CMOS temperature, shutter count, clock.
• For strobists: flash exposure compensation, range up to -5 to +3 EV (depends on the
camera).
• Power saving: Turn off display or reduce backlight in LiveView during idle times.
• Fun stuff: slit-scan pictures.


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
poilu wrote:

the 2.1.2 work better only for udma7 cards made after February 2012, if you have a 2011 card it will not go better


But I want the fastest cards Smile
Also, is it possible to step back a firmware? I don't think so. I think the camera prevents you from installing a firmware that is older of the one you have installed.
(and besides, I don't even have the 2.1.1, my previous firmware was 2.0.9)

poilu wrote:
this Magic Lantern help a lot in video mode, less for photography


I think that the "frame-in-frame" focus window may really be great also for photography.


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 11:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
Is it possible to get back to Canon's firmware?
Example: if Canon releases a new firmware.

It doesn't overwrite Canon's firmware, it rather is a complement to it.
You can disable ML at the boot process by keeping SET pressed.
It's a super addon, we 50D'ers got full 1080p video function, which was ALREADY in Canon's FW but just hidden.


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 11:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
So what's focus peaking? Different from live view?


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 11:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Kram wrote:
So what's focus peaking? Different from live view?


It gives you a visual indication (dots)
It can be useful if you have a really bad sight.
I am personally more interested in the "frame in frame" focus window... that could be great to check focus on the fly without having to zoom in then out to take the photo - think in the frameset of photographing a model and focusing on her eyes...


PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 11:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
Kram wrote:
So what's focus peaking? Different from live view?


It gives you a visual indication (dots)
It can be useful if you have a really bad sight.
I am personally more interested in the "frame in frame" focus window... that could be great to check focus on the fly without having to zoom in then out to take the photo - think in the frameset of photographing a model and focusing on her eyes...

Yes, you're right.
The best thing you can do, Orio, is to donate something to A1ex (the developer of ML) and get a beta version of ML for the 5DII.
It'll count as a thank you for the great work lots of people have done to make our Canon cameras a lot better.
5DII's ML will become part of the unified releases as soon as most of the main issues with the porting will be solved.
Wink
I was and am one of the early testers in direct contact with A1ex and while he always says there is a small amount of chances ML could ruin your camera i always trusted his autoexec files and never had a second thought about helping him out.
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