Found this little, 5 min video on YouTube. The installation of Magic Lantern is covered, plus an overview of operations. NOTE: Proceed at your own risk. Setting up Magic Lantern is easy and straightforward, but it is a firmware replacement and as such voids your guaranty. There should not be any problems, but I have to say this. :-) The video contains enough hints to teach you how to install Magic Lantern on other supported Canon DSLRs: EOS 5D Mark II (get it refurbished at the Canon Store for 1,759.20), EOS 60D, EOS 50D, Rebel T3i/600D. Unfortunately, and that’s a pity, the EOS 7D is not yet supported. But then: the 7D just got a massive firmware update, introducing new features and tweaking others. The EOS 7D can be found refurbished at Canon Store for $1,359, click here) and on eBay too, starting refurbished from , and new from (.
Magic Lantern v2.3 represents an important milestone – professionals from all around the world are already trusting it for their paid work. We can safely say it’s no longer a hack, but it’s strongly heading towards a solid piece of engineering that you can trust.
Magic Lantern is not a new kid on the block, it has been around for a while and gained maturity with every release. Keep in mind that this firmware replacement adds lots of features that Canon didn’t want you to have on your DSLR, even if your DSLR is perfectly able to manage it. See it as a sort of jailbreak for Canon DSLRs. Magic Lantern will be free for all starting August 13, until then you can get it after a $10 (or more) donation. Click here to go directly to the download page.
Comparing the 50D to today’s DSLR’s on specifications and you might find it has a lot more in common with them than you think a DSLR announced in August of 2008 should. This is one loaded DSLR with lots of resolution and features that, on paper at least, stands up quite well with today’s newest DSLRS on the market- even against Canon’s own EOS 7D […].
Agree. You should also know that the 50D was the last true iteration of the x0D series. The next model, the EOS 60D, didn’t really push the line-up forwards: Canon decided to split the x0D series, crippling down the 60D and introducing the EOS 7D (btw, the 7D is still on sale on B&H – click here). This was a little bit disappointing for some people (myself included). The 60D didn’t get a magnesium alloy, nor does it have some of the “semi-pro” features of the 50D (and 40D). Carl summarizes very well what it is about with the 50D:
A quick rundown of the Canon 50D for those who have never read about it before: This is a semi professional DSLR with a 15.1mp APS-C sensor that includes weather sealing, live view w/two kinds of autofocus, a very robust magnesium outer frame and internal stainless steel chassis, an ISO range of 100-12,800, a 920K anti-reflective LCD screen w/top plate LCD screen as well, auto focus fine tuning for up to 20 lenses, a custom control menu system, 9 point high speed AF system w/all 9 points double cross f/5.6 high sensitivity except the center which is double cross and sensitive to f/2.8, high frequency dust reduction system, a large pentaprism viewfinder with .95X magnification and 96% accuracy, and a lens vignetting correction option available in the menu.
Made using an EOS 50D – Great shot Carl! (image courtesy of Photographic Central)
The review is detailed and comprehensive, I really suggest you have a look. Let me cite from the conclusion (which has much more to say than I am quoting here):
Speaking plainly I just enjoy using the 50D on a daily basis for a wide variety of subjects in many different conditions. It’s a camera that doesn’t really have any real weaknesses in any particular category and is just a fun camera to shoot with and rely on. At the end of the day, isn’t that what we want from a DSLR?
[…]
The Canon 50D is one such steal on the market right now that sacrifices very little of newer modern features found in DSLRS, but at almost 1/3rd the cost used than a similar camera would cost you new. Therefore the Canon EOS 50D is indeed one of the best bang for the buck deals you can get on a DSLR (as of today’s date) and I highly recommend it to any shooter, especially those who are on a tighter budget as long as you don’t need video. And I assume that if you are reading a Canon 50D review, you probably aren’t in that camp anyways.
You may wonder why I am featuring a review of the EOS 50D, an older camera that already has a follow-up (the EOS 60D). However, the 50D was, and still is, a high performing camera, and in the right hands it still produces amazing pictures. That’s why I want to feature a review of the 50D, made by Carl over atphotographic central (click here). The EOS 50D was in some way a special camera: it was the last, true iteration of the glorious x0D series. The 60D wasn’t really the follower of the 50D, since Canon decided to split the x0D series, crippling down the 60D and introducing the EOS 7D. Just to make some examples: the 60D didn’t get a magnesium alloy, nor does it have some of the “semi-pro” features of the 50D (and 40D), such as joystick and multi-flash support. Moreover, the 60D has a simplified top plate and info panel, no AF micro-adjust, and a lower burst rate.
To see all refurbished Powershot cameras click here. To see all refurbished DSLR cameras click here. To see all refurbished Lenses and Speedlites click here.
EDIT: I had word that you get an additional 10% discount and free shipping if using coupon code MRN318, though I have no idea how long the coupon can be used.
You may also want to check the box below for possible EOS 7D deals:
The “crazy” guys from hdrlabs.com were able to jailbreak the Canon software. One thing you can do is use the Nintendo DS as control for Canon DSLRs. We also found a youtube video which shows such a control.
What can you do with the Nintendo?
You will be able to capture timelapse shots with a built-in alarm and triggering the shutter by clapping your hands instead of pressing the button!
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as control for Canon DSLRs. We also found a youtube video which shows such a control.