Magic Lantern customized add-on software program for the Canon DSLR system is again with a brand new group, a brand new model, and assist for brand spanking new digicam fashions – Canon EOS 200D (Kiss X9, Insurgent SL2), EOS 6D Mark II, 750D (Insurgent T6i, Kiss X8i), and EOS 7D Mark II.
The legendary customized add-on software program that made the Canon EOS 5D Mark II so well-liked is now again with a brand new model after years of inactivity. What’s going on?
What’s Magic Lantern?
When you have by no means heard the time period Magic Lantern (ML), it stands for an unofficial third-party customized firmware add-on for choose Canon cameras. Initially written for the legendary Canon 5D Mark II in 2009, the software program unlocks many fascinating options that the digicam’s {hardware} is able to doing, however Canon didn’t embody it within the official firmware. The newly unlocked options have been particularly fascinating for filmmakers as Magic Lantern geared up Canon DSLRs with inner RAW video recording (though in a decrease decision and with occasional stability and overheating points).
ML has all the time been out there as open-source software program and freed from cost. Over time, the software program construct was ported to numerous Canon DSLR cameras and one mirrorless mannequin – the Canon EOS M (the corporate’s first-ever mirrorless digicam). In actual fact, I not too long ago talked about the EOS M in my article concerning the Filmatura M-Lite REVO box-style digicam conversion equipment for the EOS M. Magic Lantern is the explanation this tiny digicam stays pretty well-liked till as we speak.
M-Lite REVO housing with EOS M. Supply: Filmatura
Magic Lantern reborn?
Regardless of the recognition of Magic Lantern, we’ve got seen decreased exercise round it in the previous couple of years. In my view, this is because of a number of components. One of many causes is that many filmmakers moved to newer mirrorless programs. ML solely actually works with Canon DSLR programs and the EOS M, that are each discontinued product traces. At this level, it’s nonetheless unclear whether or not ML ever will get ported to any of the EOS R cameras.
Another excuse is that in 2020, the Magic Lantern’s main developer, who goes by the nickname “a1ex”, left the venture. From what the brand new ML group writes, the documentation was fragmentary, and no person understood the construct system and ML code nicely. There was solely a small variety of volunteers who saved ML considerably alive.
Magic Lantern 2025 – midsummer version
A current publish on the Magic Lantern discussion board, nevertheless, would possibly give new hope to the entire Magic Lantern fanbase and consumer group. It looks as if a brand new developer with the nickname “names_are_hard” took over the position of a number one developer within the Magic Lantern venture. He guarantees common and examined releases for all cameras, which can be on the principle web site, not solely in discussion board threads. He additionally claims that reported bugs can be mounted. Lastly, the brand new lead developer guarantees that new cameras can be supported, and over time, the vary of supported cameras will develop.
Assist for brand spanking new Canon DSLR fashions
Together with the guarantees of recent future enhancements, the brand new Magic Lantern core developer group (“g3gg0”, “kitor”, “names_are_hard”, and “WalterSchulzalready”) has already managed to launch a brand new ML construct model that brings assist for brand spanking new cameras with DIGIC 6 and DIGIC 7 processors.
- Canon EOS 200D (Kiss X9, Insurgent SL2)
- Canon EOS 6D2 (6D Mark II)
- Canon EOS 750D (Insurgent T6i, Kiss X8i)
- Canon EOS 7D2 (7D Mark II)
The important thing factor, in keeping with the ML group, is that the brand new software program variations proceed to work nicely with all of the older digicam fashions. The newly supported fashions don’t but have all their options unlocked. There are utility options out there equivalent to:
- intervalometer
- customized crop marks
- shutter rely
- 30 min LV powersave disable (good for HDMI out webcam mode)
The group additional claims that the EOS 200D has working RAW video, with DPAF, and Twin ISO. The RAW video output is a bit quirky, however helpful outcomes could be obtained with endurance. Sooner or later, we will anticipate assist for DIGIC 8 fashions as porting the software program ought to now be simpler with a strong framework to construct on, in keeping with the ML group. RAW video on the EOS 6D Mark II and EOS 7D Mark II must also come quickly – the basic downside is a lack of awareness of EDMAC, because the ML group wrote.
The ML developer group now makes use of Git and codes on a contemporary OS with trendy tooling, in order that they declare it’s now simpler to hitch the venture as a developer. If you need to enhance ML, you may get in contact with the group and even be a part of the ML venture. The principle factor wanted is information of the C programming language.
Do you continue to use a digicam with Magic Lantern to your video work? Would you prefer to see ML ported to any of the EOS R sequence cameras? Which characteristic do you want essentially the most? Tell us your ideas within the feedback part beneath the article.
