How to give your low-end Canon camera RAW support, histogram function and other

[ignacio_saez]

Hi everyone,

I just came across this interesting post on how to hack a non-SLR, low-end Canon

camera to add a certain amount of functions that are typically not accessible

such as live histograms, depth-of-field calculation, under and overexposure

highlighting and RAW shooting.

Apparently it is a simple matter of software and all those functions can be

added by following the instructions in the post. I do not have one of these

cameras so I couldn't try it and verify that it works but I just thought I'd

share in case someone wants to give it a try: http://www.linux.com/feature/118946

[evan_goulet]

He might be referring to <a href="http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK/FAQ">http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK/FAQ</a> which is a firmware upgrade for a few Canon P&S. It supposedly gives RAW functionality. I have not used it, I have only seen a forum posting here on <a href="http://www.photosig.com/go/forums/read?id=236096">photoSIG</a> in regards to the subject.

[sitemistic]

The hack does work - at least it did on my S2IS. But, it is just too much trouble to use on a

regular basis. Just buy a camera with the features you want. A lot less hassle.

[kevin_schoedel]

Jim, originally, CHDK had to be manually loaded every time the camera was turned on; it now can be made to start automatically.

 

Besides RAW, live histogram, etc. it provides a scripting language, which I don't think is present in any consumer cameras otherwise. Among other things this has been used for focus bracketing to take macro photos with wide DOF; this makes me slightly regret selling my A630.

[sitemistic]

Yes, I did the whole thing to make it load automatically; but, it's still fussy and raw

conversion (which was the whole idea for me) was a real pain. Scripting language? Heck, all I

want to do is turn the dang camera on and take pictures. Except for the scripting language,

my 5D's do all that without hacks. I had to try it, though, on the S2IS, because I like trying the

stuff. My Ipod runs Linux, too.

[fmlove]

Hm, I don't own a low-end Canon camera, but it is still uplifting to see that people constantly try to improve what they have at hand. Especially when it has to do with cameras. I wonder what other cmaeras could be "improved" in similar ways ... ?