Magic Lantern

Thanks to Mik for the comment that brought this to my attention. Magic Lantern is a firmware hack for the Canon 5D Mark II that enables the following features:

• Onscreen audio meters
• Zebra stripes
• Crop marks
• Manual audio level controls
• Lower noise than stock firmware
• Possibly messing up your nice camera

I don’t quite know what to make of this, other than to point out the obvious: filmmakers are so keen on making this camera work for them that they’re willing to void their warrantees and risk ruining their cameras.

It reminds me of what Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) said in Jurassic Park: “Life… finds a way.”

Personally, I’d rather have a peaking focus assist than audio level control. I don’t mind doing dual system with this camera. But the zebra feature is great, as are the crop marks.

If the Magic Lantern guys figure out 24p I may just have to install it, but until that day I’ll hold out hope that Canon will beat them to it.

Magic Lantern Firmware Wiki

Discussion on dvinfo.net

Update on Monday, June 22, 2009 at 1:28PM by Stu

Good and usefull comments below, including one from Ville that links to a FAQ and prompted me to strike out the line about voiding your warrantee.

5D Day

It’s June 2 in Tokyo, and the manual exposure control firmware update for the Canon 5D Mark II is here.

Now set your shutter to 1/60 and get shooting!

Now featuring just one Ninja claw

When asked to describe shooting video with the Canon 5D Mark II, I responded that it was like being offered a backrub by a supermodel — who’s wearing Ninja climbing claws. In other words, it seems like a gift from heaven at first glance, but the actual experience is pain unimaginable. But still, you get to hang out with a supermodel…

Today one claw has been removed. Canon announced and released a firmware update that enables manual control of shutter, aperture, and ISO in video mode.

But we are still limited to 30p. No mention of 24p in the announcement.

I’ve been accused of being a “fan” of shooting video with the 5D Mark II. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, what I said was “With 24p and manual exposure control this camera would be of use. Without those adjustments, it’s a tantalizing but ultimately frustrating curiosity to the DV Rebel.”

So for the record, the Canon 5D Mark II is still not “of use” to DV Rebel filmmakers.

(Unless your whole film is in 25% slow motion!)

So, thanks Canon, sincerely, for listening, and for getting us what you could, when you could.

But your work is not done.

A camera that does not shoot 24p is not an acceptable filmmaking tool.

Update on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 7:39PM by Stu

Oops, got fooled by the link on canonrumors.com — the firmware update will be released on June 2nd. Thanks @divergentshadow for the correction!

Update on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 10:38PM by Stu

The more I look at this poster/press release, the more annoyed I get. To make it so film-industry specific, and to be so “we heard you and we did what you wanted,” but ignore 24p… Arg. It’s insulting. Yes, web video and NTSC TV can be produced at 30p (although no narrative episodic is) — but the thing specifically mentions “enthusiasm by major motion picture studios, independent filmmakers.” Those folks need, not want, need, 24p.

Rated A for Almost, but not quite.

Panasonic: Let Filmmakers Help You Sell the GH1

Everyone’s probably heard the story of how Vincent Laforet came to shoot Reverie. He just happened to be at Canon USA, happened to see some boxes come in, happened to recognize what they were, and in his patented never-take-no-for-an-answer way, cajoled Canon into loaning him one pre-production Canon 5D Mark II body for one weekend. With his unique resources, ingenuity, and eye, he cranked out the short heard ‘round the world. DV Rebel filmmaking hasn’t been the same since.

How many 5D Mark IIs did Reverie help sell?

Meanwhile, filmmakers excited about the GH1 get to look at this crap:

Hey Panasonic: Get your GH1 into the hands of some filmmakers! You’re the first stills camera maker to take video seriously. How about you take your marketing seriously and let someone with filmmaking chops show the world what the GH1 can do?