A40 - RAW or TIFF Hack

[Logan]

The A40 converts to JPEG before saving the info on my CF card. What format is it in before that? Can we somehow work around and get a bit 4 bit representation of the actual uncompressed image? Is there a hack for this?

zzz..Thanks..

[rick000]

I would love to see that become avalable!! I have heard about people modifying the firmware in digital cameras and even found a link to some try at your own risk software but it wasn't for the a40, I think it was for a g series or something.

[Digian]

Hi, im new here.. but for this very reason.

Why does nobody on here seem to care ... or is there just a forum somewhere else dedicated to camera firmware hacks ? The a40 would be marvellous with raw feature. Im sure canon has it unreleased.

I think this would help, does anyone have info:

* A list of cameras what have been hacked.
* The people who did these hacks.
* Contact these people for help....
* Someone from canon willing to 'leak' data :)

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I doubt TIFF is an easy option, this would require addition to firmware, plain raw is probably the best option since camera would most likely use this before JPG conversion already.

So! How to get raw data before JPG and save it to CF ??
Or! How to extract firmware from camera?
Or! Hack the firmware released for a40 adjustment. But this has to be located on a CF card to my knowledge, so is not a full firmware replacement. Original would be better.

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To any canon dev's... Im sure all a40 owners would chip in $5 for a small bribe of releasing firmware... LOL, This is if you cant find it in yourself to give it out for the goodness of the community.

Cheers everyone!

[Conk]

Digian
I don't know how you get the idea that nobody in this forum cares. On the contrary, everyone here is most pleasant and caring. There may be a select few who don't but I've yet to see them. Maybe they just don't have an answer to your question?:)

[Logan]

I am doing this for research purposes only and don't plan on actually doing it. I (you) might overwrite and irreversibly modify the cameras eeprom program, rendering the camera useless. Not good!

Common software editing tools such as hex editor/ processor specific disassembler and electronics schematics would be a big help here. Otherwise your flying blind. The specific ADC and CPU registers and memory routines are needed in order to program and flash properly. So far I have disasembled my A40 and have only noticed the standard CompactFlash socket/ digital buttons and the Sony mosfet color display. I would recommend that you don't disassemble yours!

As far as I know all that is required is to modify the existing firmware and use the Canon tool to upload it safely. If the firmare flash routine is not a complete image and doesn't flash the complete memory space then a dump will probably be required. No special hardware or interconnects are required. Just mini-usb cable. The CCD is capable of 2.1 high resolution (1600X1200) megapixel capture but the CPU might only be capable of rendering a fraction of those pixels in real time. We will have to see. The camera should be at least modifyable to get a 640X480 movie (streamable) through the USB connection. Is the A40 a USB 2.0 capable camera? Gotta find that out as well. As I said before, I need the schematics. I will look into the G3 issue. Most of that info should help immensely. Still looking...