Canon Firmware Hack Unlocks Features on DIGIC II Cameras

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK/FAQ' target='_blank'>http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK/FAQ</a><br /><br /></div><i>"This hack has been floating around the internets for a little while now, but it looks like Canon users have just recently begun to catch on to its charms, and its fairly significant benefits. For those not up to speed, the so-called CHDK firmware hack promises to unlock several advanced features of Canon's DIGIC II processor, not the least of which is support for RAW shooting, something normally reserved for higher-end cameras. Other hidden features including a live histogram, a "Zebra mode," a DOF calculator, and even a calendar, text reader, and games, among other things. While the hack should work with any DIGIC II-based camera "in theory," there's apparently only eight cameras that are officially supported, including the A610, A620, A630, A640, A700, A710, S2 IS, and the S3 IS. Of course, as with any firmware hack, you should proceed at your own risk, but those daring enough can find all the information they need by hitting up the read link below."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/canon-firmware-hack-09-11.jpg" /><br /><br />If you fear "Unofficial Firmware Upgrade" then don't try this. However, this upgrade gives you a number of software-locked features on the DIGIC II processor, i.e. if your Canon has one. It will get you RAW shooting, Live histogram, Zebra mode (blinking highlights and shadows), Depth of Field calculator, Battery indicator, Scripts execution (exposure/focus/... bracketing, intervalometer and more), File browser, Text reader, Calendar and Games. Most folks are reporting this to be a pretty safe hack but obviously, since this is unsupported, you are taking the risk that you will end up with a brick.

[mrozema]

Holy crap! I think I hear angels singing! 8O Just when I was sure there was no hope for my S2 IS, this changes everything!!!

RAW shooting, here I come! :D

[jeffd]

Suhit, actually no fear needed, it is not a firmware upgrade. It plugs into the ability of the camera to load a new bios into ram, which gets deleted when the camera powers down or loses power. Infact keeping it loaded is a little tricky, the camera will delete the bios files from the memory card if the card is not write protected (the write protection however does not prevent images from being written to the card). So every time the camera is turned on, it loads the hacked bios into ram.

Its an awesome bios, with many advanced features, and you can load many extremely useful scripts for handling complex shooting methods, like multi exposure images for creating HDR pictures.

The only drawbacks is both the jpg and the raw are written at the same time (I havnt tried, but using the high compression mode should make the jpg footprint less of an impact without effecting the raw), and the raw file seems unaffected by white balance settings so you will need to manually modify it in a program like lightroom. And lastly, the raw files written are not readable by any image program, you need to convert them with an old and featureless tool program called DNG for PowerShot.

[mrozema]

The only drawbacks is both the jpg and the raw are written at the same time (I havnt tried, but using the high compression mode should make the jpg footprint less of an impact without effecting the raw), and the raw file seems unaffected by white balance settings so you will need to manually modify it in a program like lightroom. And lastly, the raw files written are not readable by any image program, you need to convert them with an old and featureless tool program called DNG for PowerShot.

Good to know. Thanks.