Saturday, 8 September 2012

Canon 5DMK2 love is still alive and kicking

I'd upgraded the Canon 5DMK2 firmware from to Ver. 2.1.2 to ML-v2.3 to give new live & life to the aging camera. Put it this way, like a relationship gone flat... nothing new and the magic lantern came by to liven things out. Love is now rekindled and feeling awesome again! Does this give you any insight or resonates about your love life?

OK, I need to figure out the MagicLatern out as the user guide is very brief.

1) Format CF card and transfer the zipped file to the root and unzipped the file.. and restart the camera.
2) upgrade the canon firmware from Ver 2.1.2 to Ver. 2.1.2 - ML-v2.3
http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/File:Magic_Lantern_Unified_-_Install_Tutorial

After successful update, restart the camera. 
  • Press ERASE button to bring up the Magic Lantern menu.
  • Use arrow keys, joystick or scrollwheels to navigate.
  • Use SET and PLAY to toggle values.
  • Use Q to open a submenu with more settings.
  • Press INFO or DISP button to get help.
  • In LiveView, press Zoom In to preview the image behind ML menu.
  • Press MENU to hide items that you don't use (to reduce clutter)

Here is a partial list of menu that a 'still' shooter will like.
http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Unified/UserGuide#flash-exposure-compensation

EXPO mode
ISO, Fine-tuning for ISO: 100/160 multiples or 1/8 EV steps
Shutter and Aperture

Overlay mode
Zebras, Lumifast (showing clipping)

Focus Peak, god send for manual lens
magic zoom (2x or 3x) with focus confirm (split screen)
Overlay mode
Zebras, Lumifast (showing clipping)

Focus Peak, god send for manual lens
magic zoom (2x or 3x) with focus confirm (split screen)
Shoot mode, tried and tested
HDR Bracketing, no longer limited to 3 images (EXP bracketing up to 9 shots)
Intervalometer
Bulb timer (shoot >30 s exposure without intervention and control up tp 8hrs)
LCDSensor Remote, for hands free photography
Motion detect (shoot lightning!!)
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/7002555087/lightning-photography-with-magic-lantern
Audio RemoteShot (make a loud noise and it will trigger exposure)

Focus mode: tried and tested
Trap focus
Focus Patterns, custom focus group (do remember to turn off the LCD display by pressing INFO button till the LCD is blank.
Stack focus, macro wonder
Follow focus , using the joystick to focus in/out

Debug mode
Shutter count
Cmos temperature
Ambient light
Battery level

Famous Quotes

"Stare. It's the way to educate your eyes. Pry, Listen, Eavesdrop.
Die knowing something. You are not here long." Walker Evans

"Life is about moments. Don't wait for them, create them." Anthony Robbins (peak performance guru)

"Photography is not about the thing photographed. It is about how that things looks photographed." Garry Winogrand (photographer).

"When you photograph people in color, you are photographing their clothes. When you photograph them in black and white, you photograph their souls." Ted Grant

"Our life is frittered away by detail... simplify, simplify.' HenryDavid Thoreau (philosopher and author)

"To take a photograph is to align the head, the eye and the heart. It's a way of life." Henri Cartier-Bresson ( Magnum Founder and full member since 1947)

Ring Flash for the real world ...

Ring Flash for the real world ...
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM + Canon 580EXII + Orbis Ring Flash. I just bought the Orbis Ring Flash. Call it craving or buy flu, I want...! So how does this tool helps me in my quest for photographic excellence? WoW, I must say I'm happy with the results. It is a huge and cumbersome accessory. However, it does helps you to take shadowless picture effortlessly. It just works and just make sure you have a pair of strong hands.

"In Remembrance of Nat"

"In Remembrance of Nat"
We had our partner conference at Eilat in November 2007 and here is a picture of Koby, Nathawuth and Ray. Unfortunately, Nathawuth passed away on 24 April 2010 and a reminder to us that time is fleeting and life is unpredictable. Let’s not take it for granted. Live life with love, courage and passion.

Hooked on Friendship @ Starbucks Hong Kong

Hooked on Friendship @ Starbucks Hong Kong
DMC-GF1 with Samyang 7.5mm 1:3.5 UMC Fish-eye