Hacking your Canon digital camera

Here is a site that discusses adding to the capabilities of your digital 
camera (Canons at present) by adding files to the root of your SD card.

"What is CHDK?
The Canon Hacker's Development Kit, aka CHDK, is a firmware enhancement that 
supports an impressive array of Canon digital cameras. I emphasize the 
enhancement aspect of CHDK because the tool is non-permanent and 
non-destructive, meaning that you load it onto your camera whenever you want 
to use it; CHDK makes no changes to your camera, and turning it off is 
simply a matter of restarting your camera. Installing CHDK involves copying 
a couple of files onto your camera's memory card; permanently removing it 
from your camera entails deleting those files. It's simple and powerful 
(sort of like hacking your router firmware) but even easier...."

What features can be added?

"What Can CHDK Do For Me?
Now that you're convinced that CHDK is easy to install and use, let's 
consider what makes it worth doing so. From the CHDK wiki:

   * CHDK supports RAW format for pictures (in addition to JPEG), longer 
recording time and length for videos (up to 1 hour or 2GBs), and several new 
compression options.
    * With CHDK, you can customize your on-screen display to your heart's 
content, including worthwhile information like remaining battery life, 
histogram, depth of focus, and more.
    * CHDK takes many of the features already available on your camera and 
gives you way more options, including longer exposure times (up to 65 
seconds), faster shutter speeds (1/25,000 sec or faster), automatic 
bracketing of your photos, and more.
    * Support for Small Programs/Scripts: CHDK can run small scripts that 
will allow your camera to perform a set of actions based on the conditions 
of the script. Tons of scripts are available, and they provide functionality 
like motion-sensing photography (which reportedly works for lightning 
strikes) and unlimited interval time-lapse photography..."

With more under development.

I haven't tried this yet but I will.  Especially the RAW capability, which 
is missing on the mid-level Canons plus auto bracketing, which will come in 
handy for the hyperdensity color photography techniques....etc.....

Pretty interesting stuff.

R

http://lifehacker.com/387380/turn-your-point+and+shoot-into-a-super+camera

On Thu, 8 May 2008 22:31:42 -0400, Ridge Cook wrote:

> Here is a site that discusses adding to the capabilities of your digital 
> camera (Canons at present) by adding files to the root of your SD card.
     <cut>
> I haven't tried this yet but I will.  Especially the RAW capability, which

> is missing on the mid-level Canons plus auto bracketing, which will come in

> handy for the hyperdensity color photography techniques....etc.....
> 
> Pretty interesting stuff.

This is fascinating stuff, Ridge!  Thanks for posting it.

I will be giving it a try next day or two.  
> 
> R
>