Magic Lantern Firmware Is Back!


Magic Lantern went silent years ago, but it appears a new group of people has picked up where the original creators left off. You can read their statement below, and you can find Magic Lantern software here.

It’s been a long journey, but official Magic Lantern builds return, for all cameras.
https://www.magiclantern.fm/downloads.html

What does this mean for you?
There will be regular releases, for all cams.
Releases will be tested.
Official releases will be on the main website, never in forum threads.
Reported bugs will be fixed.
New cams will be supported.  Over time, the range of supported cameras will grow.

Summary:
Around 2020, our old lead dev, a1ex, after years of hard work, left the project.  The documentation was fragmentary.  Nobody understood the build system.  A very small number of volunteers kept things alive, but nothing worked well.  Nobody had deep knowledge of Magic Lantern code.

Those that remained had to learn how everything worked, then fix it.  Then add support for new cams without breaking the old ones.

We have an updated website.  We have a new repo.  We have new supported models.  We have a new build system.  We have cleaner, faster, smaller code.

Introducing the new Magic Lantern Core Team:
– g3gg0
– kitor
– names_are_hard
– WalterSchulz

I declare myself, names_are_hard, to be the new lead dev.  At times, the only dev!

We’re using Git now.  We build on modern OSes with modern tooling.  We compile clean, no warnings.  This was a lot of work, and invisible to users, but very useful for devs.  It’s easier than ever to join as a dev.

If you would like to improve ML, or make your cam work – ask us how.  We can teach you, and we need devs.  The main thing you need is knowledge of C, which is a small language that has good tutorials.

Cam support:
The old supported cams continue to work well.  The new cams at this time have fewer features, but they support two more recent generations of Digic; 6 and 7.  Thus they represent a great deal of work; these were new hardware platforms and old ML code was not designed to support this variation in hardware.  Many fundamental changes in how the code supports different generations were made, all while carefully not breaking support for old cams.

Newly supported cameras:
– 200D (Kiss X9, Rebel SL2)
– 6D2 (6D Mark II)
– 750D (Rebel T6i, Kiss X8i)
– 7D2 (7D Mark II)
(cam specific discussion can happen in these threads)

More detail is given in the separate threads, but generally the new cams have utility features such as:
– intervalometer
– custom crop marks
– shutter count
– 30 min LV powersave disable (good for HDMI out webcam mode)

200D has working raw video, with DPAF, and Dual ISO.  The raw video output is a bit quirky, but useful results can be obtained with patience.  Masc has added support in mlvapp.

At ISO 100, the 200D has two stops more dynamic range than EOS M.  It has more DR than EOS M at every ISO.  It has more DR than 5D3 at ISO 100 and 200!

Now that we have a solid framework to build on, extending these cams with more features will be easier, and extending to Digic 8 and above becomes possible.  Porting working features from 200D to similar cams is quite practical.

Bonus new feature: we now know how to extend maximum recording time for MOV / MP4.  This is enabled on 200D.  Porting to other cams is not hard (with the exception of Digic 6).  Thanks to Space928 for finding a timer constant that allowed defining higher (or lower!) limits.

Features that almost made it:
Trap focus on 7D2.  Lots of fiddly GUI stuff made this take too long.  When finished, porting to others cam should be easy.

Raw video on 6D2 and 7D2.  200D was easier for technical reasons.  7D2 will likely be difficult.  6D2 is somewhere in the middle.  The fundamental problem is a lack of understanding of EDMAC.  Improvements here may be slow, but are likely to enable other, new features, perhaps including on older cams.

Credits:
Repo resurrector: names_are_hard
Build system moderniser: names_are_hard
Graphics subsystem groovifier: kitor
Firmware fettler: Indy (arm.indy)

Chief Digic 6 and 7 hacker: names_are_hard
Chief Digic 8 and X hacker: kitor
Chief camera tester: WalterSchulz

Website resurrector: kitor
Backend wranglers: kitor, g3gg0
Social media monster: kitor

Grinchmeister General: WalterSchulz

Special mention early bird devs: Turtius, Coon
CHDK ambassadors: reyalp, srsa
Primary PTP pilot: petabyte
Spiritual maintainers: theBilalFakhouri, Danne

Gone but never forgotten: a1ex
OG: Trammel Hudson

Unsung heroes: the many other people who contributed their time and knowledge towards the goal of this project.  If you’d like, comment below and tell people what you did!  My apologies for not naming everyone, but it’s a long list :)

Posted in Firmware | Leave a comment

Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8R DF Announced


Yongnuo announced the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8R for Canon RF mount overseas. The lens should be available here soon via Amazon and B&H Photo.

via Photorumors

Posted in 3rd Party Lenses | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Lots of Canon Motorized Zoom Lens Patents Found Plus Full Frame Canon 100-500mm F4.5-6.3 IS and Canon 100-600mm F4.5-6.3 IS


It looks like Canon is going to expand its V lineup of lenses with multiple motorized zoom patents found covering:

  • 20-50mm f/4 Full Frame
  • 20-60mm f/4 Full Frame
  • 18-45mm f/4 Full Frame
  • 16-35mm f/4 Full Frame
  • 17-45mm f/2.8 APS-C
  • 16-45mm f/2.8 APS-C
  • 17-75mm f/2.8-4.4 APS-C
  • 17-45mm f/2.8 Super35mm
  • 24-50mm f/4 Full Frame
  • 25-60mm f/4 Full Frame
  • 20-40mm f/2.8-3.2 Full Frame

The range of lenses starts quite wide, so they might be used for selfies, etc… We also have some of the patents in detail here. You can find more details at mirrorless-camera.info

The Full Frame Canon100-500mm F4.5-6.3 IS and  Canon 100-600mm F4.5-6.3 IS patent can be found below:

overview

  • [Publication number] P2025091080
  • [Release date] 2025-06-18
  • [Name of invention] Zoom lens and imaging device
  • [Applicant]
    [Identification number] 000001007
    [Name or company name] Canon Inc.
  • [Background Art]
    [0002]
    Zoom lenses used in imaging include so-called positive-lead zoom lenses, which have a lens group with positive refractive power located closest to the object and meet the requirements of being small, lightweight, and having little fluctuation in optical performance during focusing. In addition, a floating system is used in which multiple lens groups are moved during focusing.
  • [0003]
    Patent document 1 discloses a zoom lens having a first lens group with positive refractive power arranged closest to the object, in which the spacing between adjacent lens groups changes during zooming, and multiple lens groups are moved during focusing.
  • [0005]
    In general, in order to make a zoom lens compact, it is effective to adopt a telephoto type power arrangement at the telephoto end and to strengthen the positive refractive power on the object side and the negative refractive power on the image side. However, if the refractive power of each lens group is strengthened, the fluctuation of various aberrations accompanying zooming becomes large, and it becomes difficult to satisfactorily correct various aberrations with a small number of lenses. Also, in a positive lead type zoom lens, the effective diameter of the lens group on the object side is large, so the configuration of the lens group on the object side to reduce weight is important.
  • [0006]
    Furthermore, in a telephoto zoom lens, the amount of movement of the focus lens group during focusing tends to be large, so the arrangement of the focus lens group is important in order to suppress fluctuations in optical performance during focusing.
  • The present
    invention provides a zoom lens which is small and lightweight and has little fluctuation in optical performance during focusing.
  • [0014]
    In each cross-sectional view, Li represents the i-th lens group counted from the object side among the lens groups included in the zoom lens L0. LR is a rear group including all lens groups arranged on the image side of the third lens group L3. LIS is an anti-vibration group having a function (anti-vibration function) of correcting image blur caused by camera shake or the like by moving in a direction including a directional component perpendicular to the optical axis. The anti-vibration group may be an entire lens group or a subgroup that is a part of the lens group. The subgroup is a group of one or more lenses whose structural length (the distance from the surface closest to the object side to the surface closest to the image side of the subgroup) remains unchanged during zooming.


Example 1

  • Focal length: 103.18-484.84
  • F-number: 4.63-6.43
  • Half angle of view: 11.84-2.56
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 238.21-337.21
  • Back focus: 57.29-91.05


Example 3

  • Focal length: 103.31-584.79
  • F-number: 4.63-6.49
  • Half angle of view: 11.83-2.12
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 284.16-389.09
  • Back Focus: 37.71-78.98

via asobinet

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Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art Announced


Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Sigma Corporation Announces the Versatile, Professional-Grade 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art Lens, Pushing the Boundaries for Both Photography and Video
Ronkonkoma, NY, June 17, 2025 – Sigma Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of Sigma Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan), is pleased to introduce the 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art, the first Art lens for APS-C format since 2016, and the very first made exclusively for crop sensor mirrorless cameras.

This remarkable new lens is the direct successor to the groundbreaking 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art for DSLR cameras, offering the user a wider angle of view as well as more versatility at the telephoto end. With an updated optical design, it delivers the image quality and brightness of a prime lens, along with the versatility of a zoom. This fast, flexible lens is also designed with video shooting in mind, featuring an inner zoomhigh-speed and silent linear autofocus, and minimal focus breathing, as well as a dust and splash-resistant structure for use in virtually any environment.

Significantly lighter than its predecessor, the 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art lens weighs only 535g (18.9 oz.) and is stacked with features that will appeal to photographers, filmmakers and content creators alike, no matter what camera system it is paired with.

The Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art lens will be available in mid-July at authorized Sigma dealers for Sony E-mount, L-Mount, Fujifilm X Mount, and Canon RF Mount for a retail price of $919 USD. Read More »

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Exclusive Photos From Bild Expo 2025 of The Canon Booth


Canon is at the B&H Photo Bild Expo 2025, and we have some exclusive photos from the event to share. Below are some pictures of the Canon booth.

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Canon EF600mm F4L IS III USM Discontinued Overseas


The Canon EF600mm F4L IS III USM is being marked as discontinued overseas, but major US retailers still have the lens in stock so do not delay if you want to purchase one.

  • Kitamura Camera: Discontinued products
  • Map Camera: Discontinued products, in stock
  • Bic Camera: Production discontinued
  • Yodobashi Camera: Discontinued
  • Canon Online Shop: No longer available

Canon EF600mm F4L IS III USM: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

via asobinet

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