300D Hacked Into A Pseudo-10D

[AeroSquid]

Neat stuff.

/. link- http://slashdot.org/articles/04/06/02/004258.shtml?tid=137&tid=164&tid=185

how to link- http://www.bahneman.com/liem/photos/tricks/digital-rebel-tricks.html

Google Cache of how to link- http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:kcza_GQsA5MJ:www.bahneman.com/liem/photos/tricks/digital-rebel-tricks.html


I claim no responsibility if anyone messes up their camera. these are not my sites nor my idea, just sharing the info.

[SDK^]

Does the hack change the plastic body into magnesium alloy? :P

[Adam Hicks]

No but the $500 you save can go towards some nice glass :)

Would anyone really feel better about dropping their camera if it's magnesium alloy vs. plastic? I think if I dropped either one I'd be hosed. I'm not quite sure the fascination (although I certainly think my rebel feels cheap compared to the 10D and others, I just don't see the $500 price difference justification any more.)

And the age old debate continues :roll:

[nomel]

I never understood the plastic vs metal rational. If you're going to be dropping it, and you want to protect the insides, you'll want a plyable buffer (plastic) that absorbs the impact, rather than sending the shock straight to the components (metals). You'll get much higher G forces with the metalic body also. They do this in cars. That's the whole purpose of the crunch zones. Sure the body gets messed up, but the important internals are usually without harm.

Sure you get scratches and maybe cracks, but there's probably a better chance that nothing will be damaged inside.

at least, that's what I think.

[Wibbler]

I don't have an EOS, plastic or otherwise...

But I do have two laptops,

One a plastic bodied Toshiba which over the last few years has never been dropped or knocked in any way - the case has quite a few fractures and cracks with bits coming off. All this has got worse over time.

Around 12 months ago, I bought an Apple PB G4 12" which has been treated almost the same way, an the metal shell looks as good now as the day it was unpacked - apart from a shiny bit in the centre of the trackpad and a few grubby fingermarks here and there.

Needless to say, the next laptop will have a metal shell.

And if I ever get an EOS - I'll spend the extra on the metal shell. More for peace of mind.

FYI: I have a Bronica ETRSi, two Pentax 35mm SLR's, a plastic Olympus digital but my only Canon camera is the IXUS 500. plus several other ancient museum pieces like a Ross Ensign, Voigtlander folding camera, bakelight brownie, etc...

[Adam Hicks]

You'll pay a 50% premium for a metal shell? Do you just plan on dropping things? I treat my camera and lenses with great care, as I want them to retain their value as I upgrade along the way.

I have two laptops as well, a Dell and an Alienware, both plastic, both perfect. I guess I don't drop them or bang them against stuff enough?

[gm8vbx]

you pay fore what you get??????

[AeroSquid]

I htink you guys are missing the big picture here. it's not about plastic vs. metal, it's about having the functionality of a 1500 $$ 10D for the price of a 300D. The implications of this are far reaching at the least. I wonder if i can hack my G3 into a G5? (not that i would want to but you get the idea) Or maybe you can take that crappy DVD player you got and hack it so it plays DiVX movies? I love the endless possibilities.

[Malok]

It was interesting to note that this is the Russian hack that has been around for a while, but it now includes Mirror Lockup and ISO 3200. Has anyone tried this firmware? It sure sounds interesting!!!

Malok

[Guillermo Freige]

It was interesting to note that this is the Russian hack that has been around for a while, but it now includes Mirror Lockup and ISO 3200. Has anyone tried this firmware? It sure sounds interesting!!!

Malok

Look at this thread:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=33864

[Yeager]

Has anyone actually tried this hack yet? I would be more than happy to try but I have a G5 and no hacks for that one yet.

[Guillermo Freige]

I've tried it, but as I´ve said previously, check the other thread.

[AzzKicker]

metal dents too easily. I dropped a plastic cell phone no damage, I drop my motorolla metal shell one and it dents like a mofo. Plus digital cameras are so sensitive internally who cares what shell it has it'll get f'ked up no matter what if takes a good hit.


The only concern I'll ever have for camera bodies is if they ever make something thats weather proof. and under 2k :)

[arumdevil]

I have installed it, no problems to report. Some nice features gained, eg. ISO 3200 (very noisy but there if needed), MLU, can change size of JPGs embedded with the RAW shots.

If you intend to install it read the other thread http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=33864

there's some useful info on there

[Tom W]

metal dents too easily. I dropped a plastic cell phone no damage, I drop my motorolla metal shell one and it dents like a mofo. Plus digital cameras are so sensitive internally who cares what shell it has it'll get f'ked up no matter what if takes a good hit.

That depends a whole lot on the construction of the product, and not just the outer shell. Plastic has some advantages in some situations, and the plastic used on the DigiReb is pretty good. But behind that plastic is a metal structure, primarily to maintain the precise tolerances between the lens and the sensor. The real issue is how well they isolate and protect the vitals of the camera, and that's all beneath the shell anyway.

Also, a cheap decorative metal shell on a cell phone isn't really comparable to the magnesium alloy cladding used on the 10D. I cracked the plastic shell on a Point and Shoot Olympus by dropping it, but the metal body on my old FT has taken a great deal more abuse without any dents, malfunctions, or breakage. IOW, its not the material, but how its applied.

The only concern I'll ever have for camera bodies is if they ever make something thats weather proof. and under 2k :)

That would be sweet, though I have different priorities.

Anyway, I think that what's going to be interesting is when the next generation of Rebels and 10D's show up. All this might seem silly at that point.

[Chazs]

...when the next generation of Rebels and 10D's show up. All this might seem silly at that point.



This is a stretch, but suppose they came up with a reasonable 15-mp sensor for use on scientific equipment. Canon decides to use it on $20000+ cameras for the "really" serious photographer. However, a kid from Belgium finds out that the same sensor is being used in the 1D-Mark II, but through software the "active" region is limited to only 8.2-mp. This kid, then, makes a hack to enable the other 7 megapixels.

Hmmm. What to do? Sit back and be "satisfied" you have a piece of equipment that is not being used to it's full potential?

[Tom W]

...when the next generation of Rebels and 10D's show up. All this might seem silly at that point.



This is a stretch, but suppose they came up with a reasonable 15-mp sensor for use on scientific equipment. Canon decides to use it on $20000+ cameras for the "really" serious photographer. However, a kid from Belgium finds out that the same sensor is being used in the 1D-Mark II, but through software the "active" region is limited to only 8.2-mp. This kid, then, makes a hack to enable the other 7 megapixels.

Hmmm. What to do? Sit back and be "satisfied" you have a piece of equipment that is not being used to it's full potential?

Heck no - I'd be hackin' to beat the band! I'm certainly not arguing against that! You bought the camera - do what you wish with it.

As for 15 mpix sensors - I don't think we'll have to wait very long and we won't have to pay $20,000 for them. More like $8000 and within 6 months. (my guess anyway).

But that wasn't my point - I have a feeling that the next generation of both cameras (10D and Rebel) will be similar to what the 1D Mk II was to the 1D - a pretty sizeable jump ahead. Or, to put it another way, so far, Nikon has been playing catchup, but every time they catch up, Canon leaps ahead again. Canon's about to leap forward, and the "hack" is of little concern to them as the next Rebel will be significantly improved over the regular and the hacked version.

[Yeager]

This may be of no concern to this topic, but hasnt there been talk of a new Drebel just around the corner?

[msvadi]

This may be of no concern to this topic, but hasnt there been talk of a new Drebel just around the corner?
no, only a new 10D ;)

[c0ntr0lz]

i may just do this hack
it sounds nice

[roanjohn]

no, only a new 10D ;)

You mean a 9.5D ;-)

Ro1

[timmyquest]

re-writing firmware now...i hate doing this (on PC's too)

[ijohnson]

If the firmware hack can paint the Rebel black, reduce mirror and flash noise, put a main control dial on the back of the camera, increase the resale value percentage, and duplicate the feel that the 10D has in my hand, I will sell it and get the Rebel.

Magnesium alloy may not do too much for the internal components when you drop it but when you step on it or run it over with a car, you can feel quite safe. Incidentally, dents look cool, cracks look like your camera might fall apart.

Out of curiousity, can you get all custom functions with the hack? That would be a huge value. I saw mirror lockup which is totally cool. If you had custom function 4, 6, 15, and 2, that would be worth a lot.

[gsmx2]

Out of curiousity, can you get all custom functions with the hack? That would be a huge value. I saw mirror lockup which is totally cool. If you had custom function 4, 6, 15, and 2, that would be worth a lot.

I don't remember what the Canon firmware had for custom function, but this one allows custom functions 1 - 17. OK--just checked manual and the screen that shows FIRMWARE does not show CUSTOM FUNCTIONs, so these parameters have been added.

gsm x2

[gcogger]

Out of curiousity, can you get all custom functions with the hack? That would be a huge value. I saw mirror lockup which is totally cool. If you had custom function 4, 6, 15, and 2, that would be worth a lot.

I don't remember what the Canon firmware had for custom function, but this one allows custom functions 1 - 17. OK--just checked manual and the screen that shows FIRMWARE does not show CUSTOM FUNCTIONs, so these parameters have been added.

gsm x2

The custom functions appear on the menu, but not all of them work.

[billhercus]

To all you guys hesitating about the latest 300D firmware hack - don't hesitate.
From access to ISO 3200, more control over focus mode, instant FEC, variation of built in jpeg size (512MB card goes from 66 to 72 exposures from start) MLU, and a number of other subtle custom changes AND all for free, this is simply a no brainer.
Downloading the 10D handbook is a great help.
As for those of you who have some sort of hang up about the colour of the case - do grow up chaps or else explain to me how it is going to improve your photography. What we now have isn't a 10D but it is a damn site nearer!! :D