Magic Lantern HDR for 550D, 60D, 600D, 500D, 50D

[Drew 0]

The people at Magic Lantern have finally released their latest firmware hack, which mimics HDRX by taking 2 streams of video at different exposures and combined for a HDR look. Of course in this case, it can only work within the limitations of the cameras so for eg. if one shoots @ 24fps, then 12 odd frames are exposed at one exposure while the even are exposed at another level, and then are interpolated in post to form a HDR image.

Another feature added is undercranking down to 4fps and shutter speeds down to 1/4 second. For 50D/500D users, you now have 24fps with "overcranking."

 

As usual, this is a hacked firmware and there are dangers in using it. I do not recommend this for those who can't afford to lose a camera.

 

Here's a sample video:

 

[vimeohd]34072049[/vimeohd]

[wagsy 0]

Gee that's pretty neat, HDR cameras just around the corner now :-)

If a hack can do that I am sure Canon could if they wanted too.

No more blending two shots, it's just getting all to easy to take a good pic now days lol

[Davide DB 424]

It's a nice tool to have but actually there are some big issues with fast movement.

In the video you posted there are problems when people were in motion. Looked like ghosting to me.

So it could be useful for nearly static shots.

 

Bye

[Drew 0]

Yes well I think it's better to do HDR with landscapes and such where there is little fast movement. Interpolating frames is never easy. Twixtor does a good job but it also depends on the shutter speed etc.

 

I wonder if it's better to shoot 720p60 or 1080p30 and perform a pull down. Fewer frames to interpolate. I'll test it once the 5D2 firmware is online.

[Nick Hope 151]

Just for info, under the hood this is using the InterFrame AviSynth script (for which there is also a GUI). InterFrame uses MVTools, which is up there with Twixtor, if used properly. Was wondering if one could somehow use this to do the HDR video in post, but I don't suppose the official Canon firmware allows one to shoot a suitable stream. Perhaps with a locked-down static shot one could shoot twice at different exposures and use InterFrame in post.

[Davide DB 424]

Speaking about HDR and post processing I guess you already know this video and the others from this vimeo user.

It was very famous last year but he never disclosed his exact workflow:

 

[vimeohd]18038671[/vimeohd]

 

 

Bye

Edited December 28, 2011 by M43user

[Drew 0]

Not really HDR but plenty color grading. Nice grading work. I'd hate to see it on a big TV screen though.

[wagsy 0]

The more I shoot uptop the more compression banding was driving me nuts on certain scenes.

So I took the plunge and installed Magic Lanten on my 60D.

I set the compression to CBR from the Canon default VBR and now getting CBR 55mbps up from max of 45mbps VBR

If has improved my footage quite a bit.

 

Have yet to try out the other goodies is comes with.

 

http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Magic_L...n_Firmware_Wiki

[Nick Hope 151]

What issues would you say you are left with on your 60D now Wags? e.g. Moire etc..

 

I'm looking for a dSLR or good stills cam with an articulated screen before the Olympics for stills and video, with the option to take underwater later. e.g. Panasonic GH2, Canon 60D, Canon T3i, or whatever replaces them by then (GH3, T4i etc.). Would love something like a 7DmkII with a metal body and an articulated screen but I don't think it's going to happen.

Edited February 26, 2012 by Nick Hope

[wagsy 0]

Well what was happening was when I was moving past low light internal white walls the camera was putting out some really bad rounded compression banding.

Does the same with the 7D too, think it might have something to do too when you are on auto ISO.

 

With Magic Lantern now you can crank the bitrate up but even with a fast card there is a bottle neck by the camera so you can only go so high.

I got it to about 55 CBR mbps but as I don't use sound much I turned off the audio in the camera and now it looks like I can hit CBR 60mbps.

You can also set it to VBR.

Test on internal white wall seems much better now.

For any major audio I record to a portable device, it's easy as to match up later in the NLE.

Out side in lots of light you can lower the bitrate and turn back on the audio anyhow.

 

Yes make sure you go with a flip LCD, I was messing with my 7D today and I hate it now especially now I have Magic Lantern up and running.

I was chatting to a pro real estate camera guy here today and he showed me his knees lol he uses a fixed LCD camera.

 

Yes the problem of Moire is still there, shooting flat or what ever, its still there on full wide / infinity focus.

 

I would suggest people using them underwater in low light would benefit from what I have done too.

[Nick Hope 151]

Watch from 12mins to 14mins in https://vimeo.com/34279033. On that shot the Driftwood-hacked GH2 p****s all over the 7D from a great height. It's really swayed me toward the Panasonics, but I'm eagerly waiting to see what Canon come out with in the near future. Big announcements starting in the next couple of days apparently.

[Davide DB 424]

Watch from 12mins to 14mins in https://vimeo.com/34279033. On that shot the Driftwood-hacked GH2 p****s all over the 7D from a great height. It's really swayed me toward the Panasonics, but I'm eagerly waiting to see what Canon come out with in the near future. Big announcements starting in the next couple of days apparently.

 

Nick,

Currently no other DSRL shoots like the GH2. No matter what people says, 7D o 5DMKII can't compete with overall quality. But... It's always a ever changing world.

So in the next few days or weeks we will have the next big thing form Canon. Then you will have to wait for some other months to get a housing.

So Panasonic will came out with a GH3; Nkon with a new model and... the music keeps playing....

As in the IT market, your best deal is always the forthcoming model

 

Nikon and Canon will always have the advantage of their countless pro users which are tied to them with thousand of dollars of lens and gear (aka lock-in). These pro orient the market with their video and photos.

 

On the photo forum here I see a growing number of people moving to smaller camera/setup. Size matters! For travelling purposes; because you are an occasional shooter or just because you don't want a camera setup bigger than you tank underwater

 

Take a look on this nice article of a Sky New reporter:

 

http://bit.ly/vIKzDs

 

 

As a side note, It's important to see how things are changing in the image market: customers are oriented by the job of other users with their aftermarket modifications. While on the IT market is quite common, it is really a big news here. In this moment it's still something that the big company does not understand. Panasonic reacted encripting its GH1 and GH2 firmware.

Maybe we will have a chance to see a big company riding this trend instead of opposing to it.

And this could be the winning move: a nice device with good basic feature that is easily hackable and modifiable by users could beat the competitors.

Edited February 26, 2012 by M43user

[Nick Hope 151]

Funnily enough I read that Andy Portch article yesterday

 

I read an article somewhere a couple of weeks ago with a top Panasonic camera exec.. Sorry, can't remember where it was now, but basically he was saying "Bring on the hacks! We're all for it!".