I posted in the Magic Lantern thread for advice, but doesn't look like anyone goes there very often! lol!

I'm a newbie to ML and after about 2 hours and watching many conflicting youtube videos and looking over the ML website - I appear to be thoroughly confused as to what to download and how to go about it!!!!

I have 2.0.8 firmware on my 5DMKII and I believe the current version is 2.1.1. - Do I instal this or get ahold of 2.0.9 (some reports I've seen saying 2.1.1 not working with ML)

If so I can't seem to find the firmware 2.0.9 to download!

Regarding ML - should I be downloading the AJ 5.9 version?


Thanks for your time.

Download the latest. canon firmware 2.1.1

And go to this thread, donate any amount to get the Unified ML only for 5D mkII, which is stable and much more functional and streamlined interface;

Release 2011Dec22 - Magic Lantern Firmware Wiki (http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Release_2011Dec22)

Then follow the thread here and "go with the flow" in getting information and updates;

Releaselog. Go here for latest ML Builds. - Magic Lantern User Group forum on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/groups/magiclantern/forumthread:248338)

ML is always an ongoing process so keep monitoring for new functionality. Right now, there is a current, feb 18 release which you can update your downloaded dec 22 version.

Also the donation not only gives you ML but gives you a scripted workflow to split and compile for you your HDR video which is only in the unified version not in the AJ version.


Hope this helps clear your confusion.

Ted - thanks very much for that information - really helped. I wasn't sure if I was best to update to 2.1.1 or not.

Many thanks

when I donated the money and clicked through to the link, I download a folder called :

ML-5D2 - unified-2011Dec22 - EarlyPreview

the fact it's called 'EarlyPreview' is this the main installer package for ML, or do I have to install the files first from the blue 'DOWNLOAD' link at the the top end of this page?

Release 2011Dec22 - Magic Lantern Firmware Wiki (http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Release_2011Dec22)


Sorry if I'm being a pain - really don't want to mess this up and I always exercise on the cautious side with these sort of things!

Martin, I will be glad to walk you through the process, we can chat via instant message to have a faster feedback time. Add me for IM, my yahoo IM is tedramasola@yahoo.com

Hi Ted,

that's fantastic! Really appreciate you going out your way. I've signed up with an account for Yahoo for this and will be on for the next several hours at least.

Cheers

Hi Martin,

I just spent several hours on the Magic Lantern forums looking for information on the current features for the 5D Mark II... and I can assure you that you are not the only one who gets very, very confused on that site. I was unable to find an answer to my question as to whether or not there is... or will be in the future... an intervalometer for timelapse photography? So if you or Ted or anyone could answer that for me... it would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks!

Dale

Hello Dale,

There is now a built in intervalometer using ML. In fact it has different modes for timelapse. You can also use the intervalometer in live view mode to do timelapse video or photos, you can also activate silent picture in live view mode so you can save the shutter count. ;)

Hope that helps.

Ted

I tried the latest version of ML on my 5DMKII 3 weeks ago and about had a heart attack. It seemed to boot up just fine but as soon as I started to go through the menu's to try some of the features my camera just locked up......twice. The second time I feared I had "bricked" the camera as the "ML removal" instructions are a bit off. Are type of cards a consideration? I used a SanDisk Extreme 60MB/s 32 GB which has never given me any problems in the year I've had it. Is ML's new version just flakey on the 5D? That experience was NOT fun....I'm just saying.

which features did you try that locked?

which features did you try that locked?

Ted,

if memory serves me the first lock up was on "follow focus" and the second was just bringing up one of the menu's. I should have documented exactly what was done but I did not. I don't have the confidence to try it again until there is more feedback on stability. I cannot afford to damage this camera.

I'd love to hear back from 5D MK II owners here @DVINFO that are using the current version of ML and their experience with using it during actual shoots (not just playing around).

Can someone provide a concise list of all the features that the Dec 22 2011 unified release for the 5D provides? Not just deltas from a prior release... all the features. The change log for that release isn't published. TIA

Now that Canon only has 2.1.2 firmware to upgrade, will that work with unified?

Also, DAVE, were you trying unified or AJ? I am looking into going down the ML route, and the last thing I want is to be the proud owner of a $2000 paper weight. Hope your camera came around.

Zac it was "unified". The camera is fine but I got quite the scare. I've seen the AJ version but I thought I read it only works with a previous firmware version. As of right now I don't feel comfortable retrying it until I see some more positive feedback. I could really use the features but I don't have the cash to shell out for a MK III.

Do try the ML unified. As long as you follow the instructions well, its worth the effort.

When you download the 5D unified I believe among the files is a copy of the 2.1.1 firmware, if not I think there is a link in the ML webpage where you can download the 2.1.1 canon firmware.

You can roll it back. Besides, the only fix in the 2.1.2 version is this;

Optimizes the camera’s performance when using certain UDMA 7-compatible CF cards released in February 2012 or later.


I too was scared at first and didnt use previous MLs as they looked funky and seemed buggy. But since the UNIFIED version came out last december, I saw new programmers coming onboard and they streamlined the GUI and made it stable.

I've been using it on my 5D ever since.

If during you experimentations with the features the camera hang up, and this can happen due to a lot of reason for instance, slow card, or you test a feature not optimized for the 5d but for the others like 60d t2i, etc, simply open the battery door, slide out battery for a sec, slide it back in, and it should boot up again.

Once you see the new features capable on your 5D mk2, you'll think twice if you will need to spend more for a mk3. Unless of course you have the resources to get a new cam. :)

If you need assistance do send me an email and I can walk you through the process via instant messaging.

I see that the Unified ML has manual audio, False color and Peaking features. Does it do anything to address the 12 minute record limit even if it drops a few frames?


EDIT: I found this feature list in the UserGuide for the 5DMII Unified 2011Dec22 release:

Features
• Audio: disable AGC and digital filters, audio meters, manual audio controls, selectable input source (internal, internal+external, external stereo, balanced), audio monitoring via USB.
• Exposure helpers: zebras, false color, histogram, waveform, spotmeter. • Focus tools: focus peaking, zoom while recording, trap focus, rack focus, follow focus,
focus stacking, zoom in Face Detect mode.
• Moviehelpers:Bitratecontrol(QScaleorCBR),movielogging(Exif-likemetadata),auto- restart after buffer overflow or 4 GB limit, clean LiveView display without any overlays, change movie position on the mode dial.
• Cropmark images: user-editable overlays to assist framing and composition.
• Fine control for ISO, Shutter, Kelvin white balance and other image settings.
• Remote release with LCD face sensor and audio trigger, without extra hardware.
• Bracketing: exposure bracketing, focus stacking.
• Timelapse: intervalometer (for photos and movies), silent pictures without shutter actu- ation.
• Astro- and night photography: bulb timer for very long exposures (up to 8h).
• Info displays: focus and DOF info, CMOS temperature, shutter count, clock.
• For strobists: flash exposure compensation, range up to -5 to +3 EV (depends on the camera).
• Power saving: Turn off display or reduce backlight in LiveView during idle times. • Fun stuff: slit-scan pictures.

It has auto record feature where it would automatically start recording after the 12 min limit is reached.. Unfotubatkey you don't lose a few frames more like 1-2 seconds.. If you want to lower your bitrate you can record up to 30min depending on which q scale you use..

It has auto record feature where it would automatically start recording after the 12 min limit is reached.. Unfotubatkey you don't lose a few frames more like 1-2 seconds.. If you want to lower your bitrate you can record up to 30min depending on which q scale you use..There is no 12 minute record limit. It's actually a 4GB file size limit which at the regular bit rate of around 40Mbps equates to 12 minutes. Obviously if you use a lower bit rate you will take longer to reach the the 4GB limit but the quality will be lowered.

Jay. Thanks for the informative post. When locked off as a b-camera in an interview, even that 1-2 second loss is a big improvement over having to stop the interview every 12 minutes or use a remote rigup. Thanks.

The European Tax of 29 minutes 59 seconds maximum for video recording (which applies worldwide due to Canon only supplying one type of DSLR and not seperate NTSC & Pal bodies) still applies to the 5D Mark II and Mark III cameras. (The Mk3 only uses file-spanning to partially ovecome the 4GB problem, but still is restrained by the European tax ruling of not being able to sell any DSLR that is capable of recording video longer than 30-mins without being slapped with huge extra tax fees).

The European Tax of 29 minutes 59 seconds maximum for video recording (which applies worldwide due to Canon only supplying one type of DSLR and not seperate NTSC & Pal bodies) still applies to the 5D Mark II and Mark III cameras. (The Mk3 only uses file-spanning to partially ovecome the 4GB problem, but still is restrained by the European tax ruling of not being able to sell any DSLR that is capable of recording video longer than 30-mins without being slapped with huge extra tax fees).The import duty on video cameras levied on the wholesale import price is a 4.9% which is hardly huge. By way of comparison VAT (sales tax) is 20-25% levied on the retail price.

The total extra in taxes would amount to millions of dollars/sterling and the fact remains that Canon and other companies making DSLRs are not willing to pay that amount of money, or pass it on to the consumer (which is what would eventually happen, at our cost). And why should they, especially when the main sales of DSLRs is to stills photographers and not videographers.

I only mentioned the facts to provide that information to those reading this thread who may have wondered why DSLRs cannot shoot video for more than 30-mins at a time. There is no real need to discuss more on this subject because there are volumes of previous threads in the archives of DVinfo forum.

If I want to shoot 24p or 30p on my XF305 then Canon will charge me about £400 to upgrade the firmware to give me that facility likewise if someone with an NTSC model wants to shoot 25p. That is a huge extra tax except in this case it's payable to Canon. If Canon offered a 5D Mk III (Video version) with no recording limit the price would only need to be about £100 more to cover the import duty.

Not to change subjects but, well, to put this thread back on topic:

I followed the instructions from Ted and the Wiki and I don't get the confirmation screen that the install instructions say I should see here: Unified/Install - Magic Lantern Firmware Wiki (http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Unified/Install)

After doing the firmware update with all the files from the ML Unified zip file in the root of the card, the Camera boots quickly into the Canon Firmware. It says the FW level is 2.1.1-ml. If I restart the camera, it reverts to Canon 2.1.1.

I'm not sure what to do at this point. Any suggestions? TIA

These are the files on the 1GB San Disk CF card.

This problem was resolved thanks to Ted. There's a step in the instructions where you Clear Settings. While seemingly innocuous, it is apparently critical. Also, once the camera boots up with ML, one must press the Trash Can icon to get the ML menus.

Les,

how is it working out for you so far?


This problem was resolved thanks to Ted. There's a step in the instructions where you Clear Settings. While seemingly innocuous, it is apparently critical. Also, once the camera boots up with ML, one must press the Trash Can icon to get the ML menus.

I am pleased with it so far but haven't done a shoot. I was however, able to configure it in a way I like. It has a nice feature whereby in Live View, you can use the joystick to Up/Down certain settings such as WB, ISO, headphone volume and record volume.

RIght now, I can't enable False COlors without drilling into the menu. THere's supposed to be a way to make it a "Display Preset" but I can't find a way to create one.

I have a low tolerance for fussy installation schemes and software that unnecessarily burdens the user because the programmer was lazy. I have to say the the Unified release is well done in that regard. There's even an in camera help that explains all 3 bazillion settings. :-)