Open DSLR firmware for Canon

For a long time, cameras are, in fact, specialized computers. For example, a Canon company uses an ARM processor and a DRYOS operating system. Naturally, enthusiasts came up with the idea of ​​modifying the software part of these cameras. I want to please the owners of the devices of the company Canon series 1100D, 500D, 550D, 600D, 50D, 60D, 5D Mark II. Now you can flash your device, improving its functionality. Get a device that has the capabilities included only in expensive professional photo and video equipment. Or maybe armed with ARM-Toolchain, develop new features.

Meet the Magic Lantern - an open project designed to modify the firmware of Canon cameras. Initially, his main idea was to expand the functions associated with shooting video. But gradually, functions related to both video and photo were added. These functions include audio control, focus, help, bracketing, motion detection, and more. The license used to develop extensions is the GPL. It is also interesting that the developed extensions are easily uninstalled. It is enough to pull out the flash drive and reboot the device to get the original firmware.

What can I get by installing Magic Lantern?

• A whole bunch of focusing tools - grabbing focus, following focus, focus bracketing, face detection and more.
• Video: Bitrate control, additional autofocus algorithm, video clip logging, automatic recording restart upon buffer overflow, display of the remaining recording time, the live view screen, and other functions.
• Crop: All sorts of grids and frames for framing, including custom ones that you can draw in any graphic editor.
• Audio: sensitivity control, digital filters (Hi, Lo-pass), input signal indicators, manual input sensitivity settings, audio monitoring via USB (!).
• Exposure: Zebra (illustration below), Luma histograms, RGB, spot timers.
• Time-lapse: intervalometer working in photo and video mode, silent (no-play) frames, combination with bracketing.
• Information displays on the focus, depth of field, sensor temperature, the counter shutter, clock.
• Work with flash: exposure compensation in a wide range, “flash bracketing” (even frame with flash, odd - no flash)
• Optional: improved management tools ISO, shutter speed, white balance and other settings.

Naturally, this is not a complete list of functions Magic Lantern. More information about the capabilities of this firmware can be found in the manual .

"Zebra" on the "overexposed" and "undecided" parts of the frame:

Cropmarks, Histograms, Waweform, Follow Focus:

Audio control:

Additional features in Live View:

Additional video features:

Additional photo features:

Additional Exposure features:

Additional Focus Features:

Tweaks:

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A small overview in English:



I would also like to note that Magic Lantern allows you to make Live View control over the process of filming in Full HD mode on an external display.



Installing Magic Langern is very simple and requires only recording a boot module on the SD card and turning on the boot mode from the SD card in the camera itself. All necessary utilities are in the installation kit. To get started, use the instructions .

Well, for those who want to look at the sources and develop a couple of three new functions, links to the main forums and instructions for building