Lifehacker just had an update about installing the CHDK firmware hack for Canon digital cameras. I’ve been using it for a while, but only to enjoy a few new bells and whistles, like a battery meter, digital clock and other gizmos.

Inspired to download the latest build, Lifehacker had all the particulars about how to identify my camera’s model and firmware version and how to install CHDK. I had quite forgotten since the last time I did it, and they’re a great resource. The best part of all this is that it installs on your memory card - nothing replaces the program in the camera’s hardware at all, so there’s no risk of bricking your goods.

One of CHDK’s strengths is its ability to run ’scripts’ by a BASIC-like language. I’m starting to tinker with some of the custom scripts available. Maybe I’ll be inspired to write my own some day soon. Some of these leverage options in the firmware that allow you to set your camera to do many things that only some of the most expensive cameras can do. Blazing fast shutter speeds of 1/100,000 for high-speed photography; custom wide-range exposure bracketing for HDR photography; motion-detection + slow shutter speeds allow you to capture lightning strikes. There are many scripts available and the folks in the forums seem to be actively bouncing ideas back and forth.

If you have a Canon camera, check it out.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 10:46 am and is filed under Life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.