How about an app store for EOS cameras?

[1DSLR]

... such as buy decent bracketing for the 5Dmk2 ...

Magic Lantern provides focus peaking, exposure zebras, focus bracketing, up to 9 (as I recall) shot exposure bracketing, long exposures (up to hours long), custom grids (e.g. put the golden rule spiral on the LCD), etc. etc.  It is running on both a 60D and a 3Ti in the family but I understand there is a recent version runs on the 5DMk2 (although not as mature a release as runs on the 60D, etc.).

Oh yes, you should send a donation to the developers.  I did.

Initially developed to expand the video capabilities of some Canon EOS models, it now has quite a few things useful to still photographers.

Magic Lantern: http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Magic_Lantern_Firmware_Wiki
Some video demos and tutorials:
Depth-of-Field & Focus Stacking on a 5DMk2:  http://vimeo.com/groups/magiclantern/videos/5879032]http://vimeo.com/groups/magiclantern/videos/5879032
Focus peaking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjSEqOUf9PY
	Small | Large

]Peak Focus (Magic Lantern) on a Canon T3i
Exposure peaking, Focus peaking, Magic Zoom (magnified picture in picture):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLB2nwD5xPQ
	Small | Large

]Magic Lantern Feature demonstration
http://vimeo.com/groups/magiclantern/album/2367[/url]
Quick overview of Magic Lantern unified

You are out of luck if you have a 5DMk3 or other higher end models; no focus peaking, no zebras, no focus bracketing, no custom grids.	Small | Large

[1DSLR]

I would so love an application that when used in Live View, Highlights the portion of the image that is in focus, making it easy to manually focus on the small back screen when shooting video.

See my above post on Magic Lantern and the video demonstrating Focus Peaking.  This was put in Magic Lantern exactly for this reason, but it can also be useful in still photography.

[stilscream]

Apps and 3rd party software is a slippery slope. Anti-canon Nikon fanboys creating viruses, spyware, anti virus software. No thank you. I spend enough on my camera equipment. I don't want to worry about outside influences ruining my shots.

[dilbert]

Apps and 3rd party software is a slippery slope. Anti-canon Nikon fanboys creating viruses, spyware, anti virus software. No thank you. I spend enough on my camera equipment. I don't want to worry about outside influences ruining my shots.

You over estimate the technical skills of most "fanboys".

[dr croubie]

Apps and 3rd party software is a slippery slope. Anti-canon Nikon fanboys creating viruses, spyware, anti virus software. No thank you. I spend enough on my camera equipment. I don't want to worry about outside influences ruining my shots.

You over estimate the technical skills of most "fanboys".

Ever wonder why there's no real viruses for Linux and Unix, compared to the gajillions for windows?
Generally because anyone with the knowledge of *nix systems enough to write a virus for them are also users, and don't want to ruin their own systems too...

[Christian_Stella]

Apps and 3rd party software is a slippery slope. Anti-canon Nikon fanboys creating viruses, spyware, anti virus software. No thank you. I spend enough on my camera equipment. I don't want to worry about outside influences ruining my shots.

I don't think that is as big a problem as apps undercutting and charging peanuts for features that Canon could market in a big way. But on the other hand, Canon can and should charge for firmware updates if they involve things that are not bug fixes.  Money would give them an incentive to put work into the features that don't sound glamorous at a camera unveil.

[JR]

I would so love an application that when used in Live View, Highlights the portion of the image that is in focus, making it easy to manually focus on the small back screen when shooting video.

See my above post on Magic Lantern and the video demonstrating Focus Peaking.  This was put in Magic Lantern exactly for this reason, but it can also be useful in still photography.

So it is now available for the 5d mkii then?  Last time i had check that feature was not ready for the mkii.  Thanks i will check it out.  If it works, i may have a reason to keep my mkii around for a little longer!
 

[dilbert]

Apps and 3rd party software is a slippery slope. Anti-canon Nikon fanboys creating viruses, spyware, anti virus software. No thank you. I spend enough on my camera equipment. I don't want to worry about outside influences ruining my shots.

You over estimate the technical skills of most "fanboys".

Ever wonder why there's no real viruses for Linux and Unix, compared to the gajillions for windows?
Generally because anyone with the knowledge of *nix systems enough to write a virus for them are also users, and don't want to ruin their own systems too...

No, I don't wonder because I know what the answer is and you're wrong.

Simply put, there is no virus/spy-ware threat.

[solarpos]

Why some OS's get viruses and spyware? Marketshare.

[7enderbender]

Now that cameras are dedicated imaging computers, why not have an app store where you can download certified apps for your camera that are written by 3rd parties?

That would make it possible for people to write their own zebra stripes app or develop their own apps to deliver better bracketing support ... - make it possible for the camera to support more features without Canon having to do all of the research, development and testing.

So in other words: you want the Apple model for Canon cameras? Naw, thanks. There is a reason why I don't use Apple computers. Actually, there is more than one reason, but this is one of them. They can keep their "apps" as far as I'm concerned.

[mws]

+1 for Magic Lantern. I have had time to fully explore what you can do with it, but I just like the fact that I can now record video on a 50D.

[EvilTed]

Oh great, not we get PC vs Mac fanboys

ET

[skitron]

I doubt seriously an app store would ever happen even though in theory it's a cool idea. The problem is that Canon has to warrant the merchantability i.e. "fitness for a particular purpose (meaning marketed purpose)".

This means they would litterally have to warrant that a 5D3 or a 1DX is a device fit for running third party apps as well as taking pictures. Which legally puts them in a territory similar to iPad and Android devices.

It ain't gonna happen for this very reason. But fortunately we have ML.

All JMO of course.

However, I think a viable alternative is for Canon to offer "premium feature firmware" for a fee. The licensing could prevent unauthorized copying by binding the firmware code to a particular camera serial number. I know I'd probably complain but in the end shell out $100 for a genuine Canon firmware upgrade to enable focus peaking and zebras.

[Halfrack]

I would actually be more in favor of Canon doing a 'Kickstarter' type thing for a few of their dev's, with matching percentages.  So we as a user base could have 'asks', the dev's could put a price on it, Canon could say 'we'll cover $X' and as a group we could buy in.  Access would have to be limited somehow (firmware expansion is registered to a SN, with a build on demand per SN registered).

This would allow for things to be under NDA, supported in the event you send in for service, popular features could be worked back into the mainline, and fringe features done at a cost.  It would also allow for an 'enhanced' firmware that could be sold state-side, over 30min video for example, while not incurring the VAT.

For example, I would pay for the ability to use my iPad as a full on tethered control pad.  The ability to pick your exposure bracketing, or use the iPad for AF control, pure bliss.  Most people would want this, but enough to pay for the development?  I think so

[kdsand]

I would actually be more in favor of Canon doing a 'Kickstarter' type thing for a few of their dev's, with matching percentages.  So we as a user base could have 'asks', the dev's could put a price on it, Canon could say 'we'll cover $X' and as a group we could buy in.  Access would have to be limited somehow (firmware expansion is registered to a SN, with a build on demand per SN registered).

This would allow for things to be under NDA, supported in the event you send in for service, popular features could be worked back into the mainline, and fringe features done at a cost.  It would also allow for an 'enhanced' firmware that could be sold state-side, over 30min video for example, while not incurring the VAT.

For example, I would pay for the ability to use my iPad as a full on tethered control pad.  The ability to pick your exposure bracketing, or use the iPad for AF control, pure bliss.  Most people would want this, but enough to pay for the development?  I think so

I just caught the end of this thread and gotta run.

There's an Android app already that does all that and much much more. Its still technically beta but its been awesome from the get go ( about 6 months)  . The developer let us on for just a couple of $ and we will be grandfathered in - in the future. Its been far more stable than I ever expected - just one update in all this time caused any trouble and it only took a day for it to get patched.

If we have one then there's no reason our fruity brethren should go neglected.  >