Flash exposure compensation in Canon 300D

[tony723]

A Taiwan photographer found that the FEC feature disabled in Canon 300D can be enabled via the new version of 10D remote capture software.

You can adjust up to +/- 2EV thru the PC program and the setting can be kept in your 300D until you reset it again via the PC software. The setting is maintained even you turn off your 300D. Some already tried to setup +2/3EV to compensate the under exposure situation.

Although it is very troublesome to do that but at least it proves that the FEC feature exists in 300D. Perhaps Canon can have new firmware later to enable the FEC feature in 300D.

The original post:
http://www.dcview.com.tw/forums/msg.asp?id=A14&msgid=19129&posit=0&curmsg=18953&remsg=18953&showalltitles=1

Some sample photos:
http://www.fotop.net/hktraveller/300d_fec

[CyberDyneSystems]

Well well well.... :)

This is pretty cool!

[karlcchen]

It could very well that 300D is almost 99-100% the
same inside as 10D except the external package
and the software running on it. 300D is a marketing
strategy for Canon. They had already planned it
this way from the beginning... Remember, most of
time it always cost them more money to remove
hardware functions in 10D than to keep it. But it
cost them almost nothing to remove software
function in 10D and market it as 300D.

They REMOVED some of functions in 300D on prupose
because 300D was marketed as lower end product
than 10D. This also served to make people bought
10D FEEL much BETTER, otheriwse they will think they
have been ROBBED.

I worked for computer company and almost of all the time the only difference between one million and half million dollar product is their EXTERNAL package and the
software running on it. The cheaper product will have
a different hardware identification readable by
software. That is the only difference! The cheaper
product is actaully 100% capable of doing the same
as more expensive product. But even if you can get
the more powerful software/firmware, it will not run on
the cheaper product because it recognize it is not the right porduct and refuse to run.

The comapny need a different external package to
MAKE custom thinking it is a different product but
they are actaully exactly the same insdie!!!
But the more powerful software will not run on
cheaper product. Unless you can find a loophole
somewhere - or you work for the comapny and have
access to the secret source code and make a special
version recover all hidden capability.

Do not be shocked even if 10D did use all its
hardware capability. In due time when compititon
keep up and it's time to stimulate the market again
all they have to do is design a new shell and called it
another name but little hardware changed inside, only
the software changed.

Karl Chen

[dtrayers]

The remote capture software they refer to is Chris Breeze's 10DRemote1.1 (http://www.breezesys.com/10DRemote/index.htm). I just downloaded the demo and yep, it works. I was able to change the FEC +2/3 and the setting stuck even when I powered off. You can see the difference in the LCD and histogram and you'll see the FEC value in the INFO screen of the playback.

It only has effect in the "Creative Modes", P, Tv, Av, and M.

A little off topic, but I echo Karl's story. I purchased a Samsung DLP high definition television last January (as a bribe from my wife for renovating the family room). I purchased the "Tantus" labeled line because it had a special Faroudja processing chip. A similar TV was available at another store for about $500 less, but it wasn't a Tantus and the product literature claimed it didn't have the special circuits.

I later discovered from those much more knowledgable that the lesser price TV does indeed have the EXACT same circuits and boards as the higher end TV. Samsung could offer it at a reducted price because the TV didn't have the "Faroudja" sticker on the front and therefore Samsung didn't have to pay royalties.

[PrimoFelis]

dtrayers wrote:
The remote capture software they refer to is Chris Breeze's 10DRemote1.1 (http://www.breezesys.com/10DRemote/index.htm). I just downloaded the demo and yep, it works. I was able to change the FEC +2/3 and the setting stuck even when I powered off.

I just did the same. The demo program worked great with Digital Rebel. Very easy to install and very simple to change and set the FEC value.

Many thanks to Tony Leung for posting this info.

[Jeff Reynolds]

Please tell me where I can download the Chris Breeze's
version 1.1

I'm new at this but I want to get the most out of the camera.

Kindly,

Jeff

[PrimoFelis]

Jeff Reynolds wrote:
Please tell me where I can download the Chris Breeze's version 1.1


http://www.breezesys.com/10DRemote/index.htm

For more info, you may also want to check out this thread at a different forum here:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=6499703

[Jeff Reynolds]

Thanks Kindly Guys...

Are there any other patches or hacks regarding the 300d / 10d

[phidong]

This is interesting because it proves that some features on the 300D were disabled. If you do the compensation theres a +2/3 or whatever when you select it (so the "software" is there)....

Makes you wonder about hacking the firmware.. which I would assume is extremely difficult.. but it could happen (or maybe Canon will enable it in the next firmware since it was already discovered).... or.. disable it

heh

[OviV]

Maybe I am missing something here but isn't it impractical to change the flash compensation? What happens if the +2/3 is not enough or is too much? It is cumbersome to connect the camera to your computer and change it again. Please enlighten me as to why this is a positive thing. If you do, I will write you guys a quick utility for making this change.

Regards,
Ovi

[dtrayers]

Some feel that the 300D *consistantly* underexposes with the flash.

I must admit that I have tried a +2/3 FEC and my subjective evaluation is that the histogram is more centered. It could be that there are some highlights blown out, but the images with the added FEC seem better exposed right out of the camera and required less 'tweaking'.

Expand more on your offer to write something... do you have Canon's SDK?

[OviV]

Thank you for the explanation. I guess I need to take some test shots with mine at +2/3 and see what i get. I do agree that mine seems to underexpose although not all the time.

Yes, I have the SDK and I know how 10DRemote implements the software setting on the camera, I just wanted to make sure that this was worthwhile before creating it.

Regards,
Ovi

[BobbyC]

Couldn't one just use the money saved when buying a DRebel to buy a 550ex which will give FEC on the flash?

[OviV]

BobbyC wrote:
Couldn't one just use the money saved when buying a DRebel to buy a 550ex which will give FEC on the flash?


Sure Bobby. I'll give you my Paypal account and you can send me the money. ;)

Seriously, though, if this is a viable solution and a free one, why not?

Ovi

[dtrayers]

Ovi,

Are there any other 'features' that might be enabled with the SDK, like mirror lockup? I will be using my 300D on a telescope. I can use the 'hat' method instead of mirror lockup, but if it can be enabled with the SDK, it wouldn't be much of a problem enable it on with the laptop and then turn it off later.

Other useful functions would be the 10D's Custom Function 01 (assign "SET" key in capture mode) and Custom Function 04 (reassign AE(*) key). Those are functions you tend to set once and leave.

Thanks.

[Jeff Reynolds]

Couldn't one just use the money saved when buying a DRebel to buy a 550ex which will give FEC on the flash?


Most people transitioning to pro digital already own top end flashes.

I use Metz and Vivitar. I would rather keep em.

Jeff

[Jeff Reynolds]

Ovi,

I'm not tech savvy and don't know if this is possible. Could you increasase frames per second to match the 10d via software upgrades.

Rebel will generate 2.5 frames per second and 10D runs about 9, I believe..


Jeff

[OviV]

O.K. As far as i know there are no hidden tricks here. The only changes that I or anyone using the Canon SDK can make are those that the SDK exposes. I can not re-write the firmware in the camera and give you capabilities that are not already there. The way the FEC is achieved is by calling a function that tells the camera to set a specific flash compensation level in preparation for a remote shutter release. Not all capabilities of the camera (including on the 10D) are exposed via this method. I do not know all the features that are exposed yet. I also do not know whether they will all work on the 300D since the SDK does not officially support the 300D and it is all try and error. I will look into some of these requests as time allows in the mean time I am working on a simple application that will allow you to set a specific FEC. I have a working prototype and will try to make it solid in the next couple of days. Once I do I will provide a link for downloading.

On a separate note, I did some test shots today using the +2/3 comp and I like what I am getting so far. I would love to be able to change it at will but I guess that will have to wait until I can get a 550EX for now this will have to do.

Regards,
Ovi

[Jeff Reynolds]

Sounds great.

Kindly,

Jeff

[dtrayers]

Ovi,

Thanks,

I understand about the SDK and that it can't add to any functionality the camera doesn't already possess. It appears that FEC is changeable probably because the 550EX has to communicate with the camera's exposure meter and since the 550 has FEC, the camera needs to support it. I would think that since the 550 also has 2nd curtain flash the SDK may be able to control that too. I'm not optimistic about mirror lockup or any custom functions, since I think these are firmware controlled, but you never know.

I work in a IT department, and it's been my experience that programmers are lazy. Maybe not lazy, but a better word is 'efficient'. I include myself in that group (though for me 'lazy' is more descriptive :D ). We borrow code from one project to use in another. It's easier to comment-out input fields than write a new interface. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the functionality of the 10D exists in the 300D but the interface to the variables has been removed. Perhaps the SDK can get to some of these variables.

My motivation for this is more academic than practical. I am extremely happy with my 300D. I did a lot of research before purchasing my 300D and was strongly leaning toward the 10D for the extra functionality. In the end I decided on the 300D because of the cost and I was able to take the leftover money and put it toward better lenses. The extra functionality of the 10D, though I would like it, is not so much that I wouldn't find a work-around with the 300D. The price difference purchased a 70-200 f/4 L. Sooner rather than later, I will upgrade the camera body, but the lenses will be around for some time.

Anyway, have fun playing with the SDK. Any work you do is appreciated. If you really want a challenge, build a remote capture interface for a the PALM 5.0 OS so I can control my 300D with my Sony CLIE (I don't think this is really possible, something about handhelds not being USB 'masters', or something like that).

Thanks again.

[Malaxos1]

Funny, but I found the flash on my DRebell to be hit and miss. I not only get underexposed shots but I have even gotten over exposed shot when just looking for fill flash on outdoor portraits. While I wish i had purchased the 550EX instead of the 420, I have found the 420 to be extremely accurate, esspecially when it comes to fill flash...Dean

[openspace]

I found that when I scroll through custom function 06 while pressing the shutter release and holding the camera vertical, a 3rd hidded option presents itself, that when chosen releases a small bit of blue gas from the hotshoe and transforms my 10D into a 1Ds. Wild.

8)

[PrimoFelis]

I just tried that on my D Rebel, and it works on it too! I guess it's true that D Rebel is 99% 10D inside.

(To get to D Rebel's custom function menu, refer to page 146 of Digital Rebel manual.)

Many thanks to openspace for posting this important info.

:) :) :)

--
PS. Yes this is a joke. You guys are no fun! :)

[tony723]

PrimoFelis wrote:
I just tried that on my D Rebel, and it works on it too! I guess it's true that D Rebel is 99% 10D inside.

(To get to D Rebel's custom function menu, refer to page 146 of Digital Rebel manual.)

Many thanks to openspace for posting this important info.

:) :) :)

Are you joking?

[dtrayers]

Chris Breeze, the author of Breezebrowser and 10DRemote, probably knows as much about the SDK as anyone. I asked him about other 'features' of the 300D that the SDK might access. Here's his reply:


I tried all the settings that are available for the 10D against the 300D/Rebel and the only useful function I found was FEC. The SDK allows you to select Kelvin white balance, but you can't change the color temperature value and so I didn't think it was worth including this in 10DRemote.

Mirror lock up (MLU) is selected by a custom function on the cameras that that support it. You can't set custom functions from the PC and so MLU can't be selected from the PC for the 300D/Rebel or any other model.

Regards,

Chris


So there ya go...