The Simple Magic Lantern RAW

Guide (Part One): Shooting RAW

The full-blown Sony a7S II, a7R II and a7S Guides are available
right now! Click this to learn more. (http://videoproduction.training)
Disclosure: Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit
this site. Please help support wolfcrow and buy from B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/?
BI=19986&KBID=13225&DFF=d10-v1-t8-x4) and Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/?
_encoding=UTF8&tag=sareesh-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957). It wont cost
you anything extra.
This guide will try to simplify the process of installing, running and working with Magic Lantern
raw files (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=RAW+files) from your Canon DSLR camera. It is
written for the absolute beginner who wants to get Magic Lantern RAW functionality on his or her
Canon DSLR. Please read the entire guide (both parts) completely, and first decide if Magic
Lantern RAW is for you. If it is, read the entire guide again before you start doing anything.In this
part well cover the basics, and how you can install Magic Lantern on your camera to get it to
shoot RAW footage.

(http://www.magiclantern.fm/)What is Magic Lantern?Your Canon DSLR runs on software that is

called Firmware (because its only meant to work on one piece of hardware, and is usually found
in the hardware/camera). It gives you menus, and choices for stills and video. When Canon
releases new features, it releases a newer firmware version, which is made available on its
website for download.If you download and install this new firmware, it will replace the original
firmware (just as upgrading your operating system or software on your computer replaces the
older version). These features and software are provided by Canon. For the purposes of
simplicity, when I write Firmware I mean the software/firmware that Canon provides, without
which your camera will not work.What is Magic Lantern?In simple terms, its a software that gives
your Canon camera additional functionality. Its like having both FCP and Resolve on the same
machine. Just two pieces of software that work side by side, offering different functionality. It
does not completely replace your firmware, but it does make certain changes. The Magic Lantern
software always runs from an SD or CF card. It must be installed on every SD/CF card used in
the camera (or just one if the camera has two media card options). To learn what implications this
has, you absolutely must read the Magic Lantern FAQ (http://wiki.magiclantern.fm/faq).So, what
functionality can you expect from Magic Lantern? Well, there are two:
The original Magic Lantern, stable release v2.3 (http://www.magiclantern.fm/download)
which gives your camera added functionality like zebras, focus peaking, cropmarks,
spotmeter, histogram, waveform, vectorscope, audio meters, and lots more. For simplicitys
sake, Im going to call this the Stable version.
The new pre-alpha or alpha RAW version that is totally not supported but is what youll
need to install for RAW capability. Im going to call this the RAW version.
If you dont want the RAW functionality, please install the stable version, which, as of this writing,
is v2.3. Instructions on how to install the stable version can be found here
(http://wiki.magiclantern.fm/install).But, youre not reading this for the stable version, are you?
You want RAW, so here goes.

Which cameras are supported?The following table lists some Canon DSLRs along with the
necessary firmware version to run Magic Lantern, the maximum resolution for 24p continuous
recording in full sensor mode, the maximum resolution in crop mode*, and the crop factor
(/blog/comprehensive-guide-to-rigging-any-camera-3-lenses-part-1/):Important: The information
might be inaccurate or just plain wrong, and is liable to change without notice even if right. Dont
use it without verifying everything with Magic Lantern.*In full sensor mode, the video uses the full
sensor to record RAW, just like it would do with H.264 (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?
_nkw=H.264). Some also call this the 1:1 mode. The crop mode, on the other hand, only uses a
portion of the sensor to get greater resolution. They are able to do this because the DSLR still
sensor originally has greater resolution, of which only a small portion is used for high-res video.
Ultimately, the deciding factor is the speed of the camera system and the memory card (CF or
SD).As you can see, currently only the 5D Mark III (http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?
_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&fieldkeywords=5d%20mark%20iii&linkCode=ur2&tag=sareesh-20&url=search-alias%3Daps) supports
full 1080p24 (and also 25 fps) in full-frame mode, and almost 4K in Super35mm mode (1.6 crop
factor). However, not all higher resolution video is available for continuous recording (mostly only in
burst mode).For a more comprehensive and possibly updated table, click here
(https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?
key=0AgQ2MOkAZTFHdFFIcFp1d0R5TzVPTVJXOEVyUndteGc#gid=5) (Google docs file).What
youll need to get startedHaving a camera and computer is just the first step. Here are a few things
youll need:
The right firmware.
SD/CF card to install Magic Lantern.
Really fast SD/CF card the data rates for RAW are in the 85 MB/s territory (CF). Check
the above-mentioned Google doc sheet for card speeds for each camera type. For a list of
acceptable CF cards, click here (http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?
topic=5391.0).
A fully charged battery.
Camera turned to Manual (M) mode.
Time and an internet connection to download software.
Youll need to make sure you have everything in place before you begin. First, lets find the right
firmware.
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007FGYZFI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sareesh20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007FGYZFI)

Installing the necessary firmwareFirst, youll need the correct firmware version for your camera.
Check the firmware currently installed in your camera. Youll find it easily in the camera menu.Now,
check the table above, or the updated list from Magic Lantern, and figure out which firmware
version you should be having. If its not the same as whats in your camera, youll need to find and
replace it.Finding the right firmwareThere are three ways to do this:
Go to Canons EOS page (http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd-e.html) and look at the bottom
right.
Go to Canons website (http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support) and locate your camera.
Look under Firmware.
Go to http://pel.hu/eoscard/ (http://pel.hu/eoscard/) for the windows version,
or http://hdslr.com.br/2012/06/20/atualizacao-de-firmware-para-5d-mark-iii-versao-1-1-3/
(http://hdslr.com.br/2012/06/20/atualizacao-de-firmware-para-5d-mark-iii-versao-1-1-3/) for
the mac version (this is for the 5D Mark III only).
If you cant find the firmware version for your camera model, ask around in the Magic Lantern
forums (http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/), and they should be able to help you. Firmware files
end with the extension *.fir.Updating the firmwareThe Canon manual will tell you how to update
your firmware. Heres a quick video on how its done:https://vimeo.com/17339662Confirm
(https://vimeo.com/17339662Confirm) you have the correct firmware version before
proceeding.How to find the right Magic Lantern version for your cameraProceed at your own
risk! I accept no liability for the use or application of the instructions given here.Each camera
model has its own version of Magic Lantern RAW, and there are versions of that too (called
builds)! E.g., here are Magic Lanterns notes on features of version Alpha 3 compared to Alpha
2 and 1 for the Canon 5D Mark III (http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?
_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&fieldkeywords=5d%20mark%20iii&linkCode=ur2&tag=sareesh-20&url=search-alias%3Daps):

Alpha 3
Card test at startup
Histogram and waveform moved to bottom
New experimental display for focus peaking (extreme sharpness)
16:9 bars for anamorphic preview
Focus box moves faster (not yet customizable)
After taking a picture and pressing Zoom In right away, you can scroll through pictures
Saturation boost when adjusting white balance
Warnings for bad settings (e.g. if you set picture quality to JPEG instead of RAW by mistake)
Dim the red LED while recording (make it less distracting)
From alpha 2:
Magic Zoom (zoom while recording), experimental focus peaking modes, ghost image, display
presets
Movie indicators, movie logging, rec/standby notification, force LiveView for manual lenses
Gradual exposure in movie mode
HDR video
Brightness, contrast, saturation, display gain, color schemes, UniWB correction, upside-down
mode
Clean HDMI with pillarboxes
Anamorphic and fisheye correction
Image review tweaks (exposure adjust, remember zoom position)
Task and CPU usage info
From alpha 1:
zebras, focus peaking, cropmarks, spotmeter, histogram, waveform, vectorscope, audio
meters.
card benchmark, debug info, stability tests.
Every time the source code is compiled, the resulting files are grouped into a build. There are
many developers working on Magic Lantern, and unfortunately any of them (even you can if you
wanted to) can compile a build. These developers upload their respective builds to various
places. To get the latest builds for Magic Lantern RAW, click here
(http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=6362.0).In Magic Lantern terms, these are
called Nightly builds and they are not supported officially by the Magic Lantern development
team. To make matters confusing, there are also nightly builds without raw functionality (they are
working on other stuff, too, you know). Use the link above to find the nightly build for your
camera, and download it.Youll most likely be downloading a ZIP file. Double click the ZIP file to
view the contents in Finder or Windows Explorer. Here are the files/folders it should contain:
5D3-113-bootflag.fir (or another similar name for your camera)
autoexec.bin
ML folder, which will contain data, doc, Modules and Scripts folders, along with a
Readme file.
In addition, you might have other folders for more functionality, like cropmks, etc.
So, you have the files on your computer. Before you move on, try to understand the process, and
what youre in for. To do this, go to the respective forum threads for each camera and see what
other users have had issues with:
Canon 5D Mark III (http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=5451.0)
Canon 5D Mark II (http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=5533.0)
Canon 6D (http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=5530.0)
Canon 550D (http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=5582.0)
Canon 50D (https://bitbucket.org/hudson/magiclantern/commits/90312d3c9c96d5e147b4b6415ad3a5bba5842d7b)
Canon 60D (http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=5653.0)
Canon 600D (http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=5494.0)
Confident? Lets move on to the next step.Preparing your camera and mediaPut a fully charged
battery into your camera. Magic Lantern recommends an original Canon battery, and not a cheap
knock-off.Turn the camera dial into Manual (M) mode.Format your CF card with the exFAT file
system. Heres a great link (http://digitalunion.osu.edu/2012/08/07/exfat-formatting-your-flashdrive-for-both-pc-and-mac/) on how to do it. This allows you to record files that are greater than 4
GB in size (youll need it!). Some older cameras like the 5D Mark II dont support exFAT, but most

of the newer ones do (refer to the Google Docs link given earlier). If you dont do this step, you
can only record about a minute of RAW at one time.Put an SD/CF card into your camera and
format it. Always format your card in-camera, and not from your computer.If youre using a dualcard camera like the Canon 5D Mark III (http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?
_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&fieldkeywords=5d%20mark%20iii&linkCode=ur2&tag=sareesh-20&url=search-alias%3Daps), then
Magic Lantern recommends you install RAW on the SD card, and use the CF card for recording.
Dont put RAW on both cards!If youre using a single-card camera, then you dont have a choice.
The cheapest CF card that works is the Komputerbay brand, which is about $130 for 64 GB
(http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&fieldkeywords=komputer%20bay%20cf%2064gb&linkCode=ur2&tag=sareesh-20&url=searchalias%3Daps). Youre typically looking for a CF card that has a 1000x or UDMA 7
(http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&fieldkeywords=cf%201000x&linkCode=ur2&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Acf%201000x&tag=sareesh20&url=search-alias%3Daps) on it. These cards can up to 150 MB/s. For SD cards, I suggest the
Sandisk Extreme Pro series (http://www.amazon.com/s/?
_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&fieldkeywords=sd%20sandisk%20extreme%20pro&linkCode=ur2&rh=n%3A172282%2Cn%3A541966%2Cn%3A172456%2Cn%3A
20&url=node%3D1197396), which can go up to 95 MB/s.Theres one more software youll need
to download for installation:
Macboot (http://www.zenoshrdlu.com/macboot/macboot.html), for Macs. For OS X 10.8
users, youll need to download this zip file
(http://www.zenoshrdlu.com/macboot/macbootcommand.zip). In their own words: Put it in
the same folder as Macboot and unzip it. Youll get a macboot.command script. Doubleclicking the script will bring up a terminal window and sudo will ask you to type your logon
password so MacBoot can get root access. MacBoot will run when you press return.
EOSCard (http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/EOScard), for Windows.
This software will make your SD or CF card bootable. Its only if you have this that Magic Lantern
RAW will run whenever you switch on the camera.

How to install Magic LanternNow you have everything you need to get Magic Lantern RAW
installed. Lets get to it:
Copy the Magic Lantern files and folders on to the SD or CF card.
Insert the card into your camera and go to firmware update (check manual). It will show the
*.fir file. Select it and update.
When youre done, switch your camera off.
Take out the card and put it back into the card reader on your computer.
Open Macboot or EOSCard, and ensure this card is now Bootable. Eject your card.
Insert the card back into the camera. If youre using an SD+CF card combination, insert
both cards. Switch on the camera.
Press the Delete/Trash button and Magic Lantern will be ready. You will see the Magic
Lantern menu system.
Scroll to the M menu option (which is at the end, far right) and select that.
Select Load Modules and youll see a few okays at the bottom. This might be unnecessary
in the future once Raw recording is stable and incorporated as part of the stable release.
Go the camera menu and select Raw Video. You will have the choice of width and height
of your video. Use the Google Docs table for your camera type (only if you have the right
SD/CF type installed!) and find the resolution for continuous 24p recording. On the Canon
5D Mark III (http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?
_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&fieldkeywords=5d%20mark%20iii&linkCode=ur2&tag=sareesh-20&url=search-alias%3Daps),
its 19201280.
Exit the menu by clicking the Delete/Trash button and access the regular menu. Select the
frame rate (24p is fine for now).
Exit the menu. Press record to record some Raw video! You should be able to record
continuously without dropping any frames.

The installation instructions for the 5D Mark III (http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?

_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&fieldkeywords=5d%20mark%20iii&linkCode=ur2&tag=sareesh-20&url=search-alias%3Daps) can be
found here (http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=2602.0).Heres a thread
(http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=5451.0) that lists instructions on which
settings to choose and how to record RAW video on the Canon 5D Mark III
(http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&fieldkeywords=5d%20mark%20iii&linkCode=ur2&tag=sareesh-20&url=search-alias%3Daps).Here are
some important notes from Magic Lantern:
IMPORTANT NOTES
* If you have a bootable CF/SD card and have the DISKBOOT flag
set in the camera (which the installer does), and you do not
have an AUTOEXEC.BIN file on the card the camera WILL NOT BOOT.
It will hang and not wake up until the battery is removed.
* If you encounter a locked up camera, quickly remove the battery.
Otherwise the ARM might be in a tight-loop and get very hot, very quickly.
Your battery will run down and your LCD might show some discoloration.
* When in doubt, remove the battery and reboot.
* And, remember that this software can damage or destroy your camera.
How exactly do you go about doing all this? Here are two videos thatll make this
clearer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7pn5Q6wNMYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=2AgyiJmrio4Perform (https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=d7pn5Q6wNMYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AgyiJmrio4Perform) tests to see if your
CF card speed is as advertised, and ensure your camera can record RAW as known. Thats all
there is, really.In Part Two (/blog/the-simple-magic-lantern-raw-guide-part-two-post-production/)
well look at how RAW is written, and the available post production workflows for Magic Lantern
RAW.
Very
Important
Disclaimer
I have
received
quite a few
requests for
a simplified
Magic
Lantern
(http://www.
magiclanter
n.fm/) RAW
guide, and
this article is
in response
to these
requests. I
dont use
Magic
Lantern
personally,
simply
because I
dont shoot
professional
video with
DSLRs.

It is critical
that you
understand
and listen to
the advice
given by
Magic
Lantern:
M
a
g
i
c
L
a
n
t
e
r
n
i
s
n
o
t
a
p
p
r
o
v
e
d
n
o
r
e
n
d
o
r
s
e
d
b
y
C
a
n
o
n
i
n
a
n
y
w
a
y
,
a
n
d
u

s
i
n
g
it
w
il
l
p
r
o
b
a
b
l
y
v
o
i
d
y
o
u
r
w
a
rr
a
n
t
y
.
U
s
e
t
h
i
s
s
o
ft
w
a
r
e
a
t
y
o
u
r
o
w
n
ri
s
k
.
I, too, am
just
simplifying
instructions
others have

written and
linked to,
and in no
way endorse
the use of
Magic
Lantern on
your
camera.
This is a risk
you must
take on your
own.
Proceed if
and only if
you
understand
the risk and
can live with
the
consequenc
es.
If youre
having
problems
following
this guide,
dont ask me
additional
questions. If
you brick
your camera
or get into
trouble, I am
not
responsible.
I do not
endorse
Magic
Lantern or
use its
software or
firmware.
These
instructions
might
become
redundant
when a
newer
version is
released or
whatever.
Its your
responsibilit
y to stay
updated. If
these terms
are
unacceptabl
e, stop

reading, and
dont follow
this guide.
Camera

Required
firmware

Supported
stable
version

Continuous
24p, Full
Sensor

Crop Mode

Crop Factor

5D Mark III

1.1.3

None exists

1920 x 1280

3584 x 1320

1.61

5D Mark II

2.1.2

v2.3

1584 x 1058

2144 x 1076

2.62

6D

1.1.2

None exists

2560 x 944

2.14

50D

1.0.9

v2.3

1584 x 1058

2000 x 1080

2.38

650D, 700D,
100D

n/a

None exists

1280 x 720

60D

1.1.1

v2.3

960 x 540

2512 x 1080

2.06

600D

1.0.2

v2.3

960 x 540

2512 x 1080

2.06

550D

1.0.9

v2.3

960 x 540

2512 x 1080

2.06

500D

1.1.1

v2.3

960 x 540

2000 x 838

2.38

7D

n/a

None exists

unknown,
not working

unknown,
not working

n/a

Related Articles
1. The Simple Magic Lantern RAW Guide (Part Two): Post Production (http://wolfcrow.com/blog/the-simplemagic-lantern-raw-guide-part-two-post-production/)

2. Comprehensive Guide to Rigging Any Camera Main Menu (http://wolfcrow.com/blog/comprehensiveguide-to-rigging-any-camera-main-menu/)

3. Comparing Camera Systems for Feature films (http://wolfcrow.com/blog/comparing-camera-systems-forfeature-films/)

4. A Comparison of Seven Cheap RAW Cameras for Video (http://wolfcrow.com/blog/a-comparison-ofseven-cheap-raw-cameras-for-video/)

5. Comprehensive Guide to Rigging Any Camera 3 Lenses (Part 7)

(http://wolfcrow.com/blog/comprehensive-guide-to-rigging-any-camera-3-lenses-part-7/)

Comments
Sareesh Sudhakaran says
July 6, 2014 at 12:16 pm

Reply

leokn yeah, Canon guys have all the fun!

leokn says
July 6, 2014 at 2:52 am

Reply

I live in Rio Rancho, NMmoved from California in 2012. LOVE IT!! A photographers paradise.
Ill look into Magic Latern. At the moment, Ive been using Linux a coupl years, Ubuntu Studio
12.0.4.4 LTS
My camera rt now is a Canon SX40 HS. From the factory, Canon didnt offer RAW, etc with it.
I changed that with CHDK (a free, open source program, which I loaded onto a faster, w/more
memory card).now I can shoot raw, time lapse, motion and light trigger sensitive, .etc.. and
much more.
For 5 bucks I made an electronic remote shutter releasethe list goes on. ~Leo

Sareesh Sudhakaran says

November 20, 2013 at 8:16 am

Reply

MikeLangford1 Mike, I havent used the Canon 50D at all. Anyway, the crop mode should be
within the Magic Lantern menu. Maybe the videos might help you find it.
Also, visit the forum thread for the 50D. Youre more likely to find answers there.

MikeLangford1 says
November 19, 2013 at 11:54 pm

Reply

Please can you let me know how to select crop mode for RAW video on the Canon 50D cant
find the option anywhereAlso, I seem to have no bulb ramping option underneath
intervalometer on the list have installed ML 2.3 and unified 27Jul2013.what am I doing wrong?

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