Rebel Firmware ?

[Mike Hammer]

I have a Rebel with firmware version 1.0.2 (U.S.A. if it matters)
Are their official Canon firmware upgrades available and what enhancements does the upgrade do?

Also what are the unofficial / hacked firmware’s available and what enhancements do they bring to the Rebel?

And last, what happens if you do a firmware upgrade and you have problems and want to force down to an older firmware version? And does a hacked firmware void the Canon warranty?


Mike

[drisley]

I'm not sure what the official 1.1.1 firmware brings over the 1.0.2.

But, the unofficial "hacked" 1.1.1 firmware gives you:

- Flash Exposure Compensation
- Mirror Lockup
- Choice Of AF Modes
- Choice of Embedded JPG size in Raw Mode
- Anything else??

The ability to choose embedded jpg size to small instantly increased the number of Raw images I could get on a 512MB CF card from 69 to 79! I was impressed.
If you need to send your camera in for warranty work, just reflash the firmware back to the original, or the official 1.1.1 and you will have no problems. There are reports of people actually forgeting to remove the "hacked" firmware before sending their camera in for warranty service, and Canon didn't seem to notice or care.

Officially it voids the warranty, but in reality you shouldnt have any problems.
I dont think I've heard anybody who tried the "hacked" firmware ever regret it. Usually the only regret (as in my case) is that you didn't do it sooner. :D

[Jim_T]

Canon makes firmware upgrades available to the public..



http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=DownloadDetailAct&fcategoryid=325&m odelid=9430#firmware

The link above is the latest for the Digital Rebel

.

[Mike Hammer]

drisley, do these added features come from the Canon 10D? So for more details I can check for instructions on the 10D. If I upgrade to a hacked version I will be able to put Canon v 1.1.1 back in if I have issues or glitches. Canon v 1.0.2 that came in the camera doesn't seem to be available. Has anyone switched back to an older version for any reason that you know of?

[drisley]

Most of the added features are similar to the 10D.
I believe that alot of people use the 10D instructions to help them understand what these options do.
Yes, you will be able to put the v1.1.1 firmware back if you want.
I dont know where you would get the old 1.0.2 firmware. I dont think I've ever heard of anyone needing to switch back to the old firmware for any reason.
My camera came new with the v1.1.1 firmware.

[drisley]

Most of the added features are similar to the 10D.
I believe that alot of people use the 10D instructions to help them understand what these options do.
Yes, you will be able to put the v1.1.1 firmware back if you want.
I dont know where you would get the old 1.0.2 firmware. I dont think I've ever heard of anyone needing to switch back to the old firmware for any reason.
My camera came new with the v1.1.1 firmware.

[DReb-MO]

Doesn't anybody take time to "search" any more?

[Mike Hammer]

I am sorry!

How many EOS Digital Rebel, Kiss, 300D users upgraded to the hacked firmware?

How many still on the fence?

[Roy NN7DX]

How can the firmware be flashed if the camera doesn't work?

Sorry to be a wet blanket but if the camera doesn't function how can the firmware be flashed before returning it to Canon for service?

There is an element of risk involved... Not that the firmware won't work, it's pretty well established that it works well... The risk is having a camera failure that will not allow the owner to return to Canon's sanctioned firmware before returning it for service…

In my mind this is the only real risk or downside to using the non-Canon firmware... Me? It's not a problem! I'll take the added functionality and I personally bear the risk of paying for, or worse, being denied service during the few months remaining of my warranty.

I’d have a hard time commending this “upgrade” to someone else without warning them about their potential liability…

[Guillermo Freige]

A number of people already has sent "hacked" 300d/DRebels to Canon without reloading the original firmware. In some cases the CF card slot was damaged, so it was impossible to reload the official firmware again.
AFAIK none had a problem with the service. The camera returned repaired, with the original firmware in some cases, and with still the hacked one in others, but no mention of it was made by Canon tech people.
And yes, I'm using the hacked one :)

[vfilby]

I use the hacked firmware as well with no problems. I agree with DReb-mo, this has come up so many times here on the forum and on other forums. Use the search utility to search through the history for hacked firmware questions, you will find that your questions have been answered many times over already.

Also if you search for "300D hacked forware" on google.com you will come up with this link: http://www.bahneman.com/liem/photos/tricks/digital-rebel-tricks.html which has links to the firmware, tips, 10D manual, etc.

I strongly suggest you go research into then ask if you have any other questions.

Vince

[12345Michael54321]

But, the unofficial "hacked" 1.1.1 firmware gives you:

- Flash Exposure Compensation
- Mirror Lockup
- Choice Of AF Modes
- Choice of Embedded JPG size in Raw Mode
- Anything else??


Also:

- Ability to set ISO to 3200 (non-hacked limit is 1600)
- Ability to force 1/200 sec. flash sync speed, when in Av mode
- Shutter release possible with or without CF card present in camera
- Exposure compensation can be set in either 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments

The hack doesn't turn a 300D into a 10D, and some of the added functionality isn't too important to me. But some of the added features are genuinely useful.

Updating to the hacked firmware is quick and easy, it runs reliably, absent some major camera malfunction it's easy to undo, and even if it's not undone it's unlikely that Canon will know or care about it.

If the hacked firmware were commercially available for $59, I'd probably buy it. Considering that it's available at no cost, it's a terrific bargain.

Then again, I live dangerously. Why, I sometimes use non-Canon CF cards in my camera, and put non-Canon filters on my lenses!

[Roach711]

Then again, I live dangerously. Why, I sometimes use non-Canon CF cards in my camera, and put non-Canon filters on my lenses!

You say *you* live dangerously! I once tore the "do not remove" tag from a mattress. Top that!

Da Roach