Magic Lantern is Back and Supports New Cameras Such as EOS 200D, 6D Mark II, and 7D Mark II

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 digital camera 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 in style is now again with a brand new model after years of inactivity. What’s going on?What’s Magic Lantern?In case 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 digital camera’s {hardware} is able to doing, however Canon didn’t embody it within the official firmware. The newly unlocked options had been particularly fascinating for filmmakers as Magic Lantern geared up Canon DSLRs with inside 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 varied Canon DSLR cameras and one mirrorless mannequin – the Canon EOS M (the corporate’s first-ever mirrorless digital camera). Actually, I lately talked about the EOS M in my article in regards to the Filmatura M-Lite REVO box-style digital camera conversion package for the EOS M. Magic Lantern is the explanation this tiny digital camera stays pretty in style till as we speak.M-Lite REVO housing with EOS M. Supply: FilmaturaMagic Lantern reborn?Regardless of the recognition of Magic Lantern, we have now seen diminished exercise round it in the previous couple of years. In my view, this is because of a number of elements. One of many causes is that many filmmakers moved to more moderen mirrorless techniques. ML solely actually works with Canon DSLR techniques 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.One more reason is that in 2020, the Magic Lantern’s main developer, who goes by the nickname “a1ex”, left the mission. 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 editionA latest submit on the Magic Lantern discussion board, nonetheless, may 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 mission. He guarantees common and examined releases for all cameras, which might be on the principle web site, not solely in discussion board threads. He additionally claims that reported bugs might be fastened. Lastly, the brand new lead developer guarantees that new cameras might be supported, and over time, the vary of supported cameras will develop.Assist for brand spanking new Canon DSLR modelsAlong with the guarantees of latest 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 accordance with the ML group, is that the brand new software program variations proceed to work nicely with all of the older digital camera fashions. The newly supported fashions don’t but have all their options unlocked. There are utility options out there comparable to:intervalometercustom crop marksshutter count30 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 may 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 stable framework to construct on, in accordance with the ML group. RAW video on the EOS 6D Mark II and EOS 7D Mark II must also come quickly – the elemental drawback 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 fashionable tooling, so that they declare it’s now simpler to hitch the mission as a developer. If you want to enhance ML, you may get in contact with the group and even be a part of the ML mission.  The principle factor wanted is information of the C programming language.Do you continue to use a digital camera with Magic Lantern in your video work? Would you wish to see ML ported to any of the EOS R collection cameras? Which function do you want probably the most? Tell us your ideas within the feedback part beneath the article.