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Magic Lantern 5.9

Tom recently wrote about our 5D workflow at Fashion Weeks around the globe. Well there are definitely problems due to the form factor and limited software of the 5D. While the problems of the form factor can’t be solved by now (maybe a few parts by adding additional gear - or buying another cam) many of the software issues can be solved by magic lantern - in theory.

I’ve been testing Magic Lantern releases for a year now, but AJ 5.9 running on Canon 2.0.9 firmware is by far the most stable version I’ve tested on the 5D Mark II. You can download this superb piece of software here. While the classic Magic Lantern for 5D Mark II has some more features on the photo side (like focus stacking and advanced bracketing) I found AJ Newmans version far more stable, also usability wise I prefer it much more.

On the last assignment, I decided to give AJ 5.9 a try for the first time on a real shoot. The story was playing on a kart racing track, part of the shots were narrative ones with basic acting involved, other parts were covering the race.

The features I used that day included:

  • magic circles
  • focus distance
  • audio meters
  • live histogram

I didn’t use the higher bitrate settings because on earlier tests I didn’t get the camera running stable. Too many different variables like focal length, aperture, motion and detail are involved. One really needs time to run through a take a few times because maybe the recording will immediately stop when the bitrate gets too high. Then you have to dial down and give it another try. Not the way you want to work if you have many setups and you can just maybe get a second take. Furthermore your attention is drawn away from framing and looking for the right perspective because you’re worried if the camera will run stable on the next shot …

Well, using the features described above, the magic circles and the focus distance helped me focussing, audio meters are there for dialing in the levels and live histogram was just for backup (I set the right exposure with my light meter). FYI: I used Transcend 400X CF cards and set magic lantern to autoboot.

The results from about eight hours of work: several times when I switched on the camera and afterwards the liveview, my screen just kept pitch black. Could hear the mirror slamming up, but no sign of anything on the screen. But the camera didn’t freeze (firmware info said ML was loaded), another take did get me a picture on my screen - ML was up and fully working.

One time this day ML didn’t boot up at all, nothing (even the on/off switch) was working. Had to remove the battery, afterwards our beloved alternative firmware was rolling again.

I’m pretty happy with this test but for run and gun situations like interviews (imagine you’re in front of Kayne West or Anna Wintour and ML won’t boot up) I definitely can’t recommend ML at this stage. So our Fashion Week problems don’t seem to be solved by now.

But we’re happy people: today was announced that a Unified Version of ML (Unified means same features and same release for every supported camera) for the 5D Mk II will be released. Hopefully we will see some bug fixes and an even more stable version of ML.

To make this happen, the developer who’s in charge for this development needs to get a 5D Mk II (currently only owns 550D/60D). If you do want support him: read his announcement here where you will find a link to donate.

Watch a walkthrough of ML AJ 5.9

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