Magic Lantern Software for Canon Cameras Is Back

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.

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