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Title: Magic Lantern Software for Canon Cameras Is Back

Link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/06/23/2054...

Magic Lantern, the popular open-source suite of software enhancements for
Canon DSLR cameras, has returned under new leadership. The revived project
aims to offer regular updates and support for additional models, including
compatibility for Canon's newer mirrorless cameras equipped with DIGIC X
processors. PetaPixel reports: The new lead developer, names_are_hard,
announced Magic Lantern's return yesterday on Magic Lantern's forums, seen by
Reddit r/cinematography users and confirmed on the official Magic Lantern
website. "It's been a long journey, but official Magic Lantern builds return,
for all cameras," names_are_hard writes. They add that this means that there
will be new, regular releases for all supported cameras and new cameras will
be supported. As of now, the supported cameras are almost entirely DSLR
models, save for tools for the original EOS M mirrorless camera. However, one
of the members of the core Magic Lantern team, which comprises developers
g3ggo, kitor, and WalterSchulz, says the team is looking at supporting
cameras with DIGIC X processors, which includes mirrorless EOS R models. "It
would be awesome if they start supporting new cameras. Imaging unlocking Open
Gate on the R5/R6 lines, or RAW on cameras that don't have it (like R6, R7,
etc.)," writes Redditor user machado34. "I believe it will be possible. They
say they're exploring up to DIGIC X," adds 3dforlife. "In fact we are,"
developer kitor replies. "Just DIGIC 8 is stubborn and X adds some new
(undocumented) hardware on top of that." Kitor is listed as the chief DIGIC 8
and DIGIC X hacker on Magic Lantern's forums, plus kitor is chiefly in charge
of the revived website and Magic Lantern's social media presence. If the team
can crack mirrorless cameras, it would be a boon. [...] The new Magic Lantern
core team of devs, plus many other key players who are involved to various
degrees in bringing Magic Lantern back to life, have built a new repo,
formalized the code base, and developed a new, efficient build system.
"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," names_are_hard
writes. "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." The team is now
using Git, building on modern operating systems with contemporary tools, and
compiling clean. "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." Alongside the
exciting return, Magic Lantern has added support for numerous new Canon DSLR
cameras, including the 200D, 6D Mark II, 750D, and 7D Mark II.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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