Steve'sDigicams

RoGuE1230 · Jun 5, 2007, 8:31 PM

I have been reading about some kind of hack that I can use on my new A630. What is it exactly, and can it benefit a novice like me?

Also, is this hack safe to use?

JimC · Jun 5, 2007, 9:19 PM

This might help:

http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK/FAQ

RoGuE1230 · Jun 5, 2007, 9:51 PM

Will there be any adverse effects from using this? What makes RAW better?

Also, is this on my camera permanantly once I use it or is it reversible?

BTW: I am a fellow Georgian. I am in Gwinnett.

JimC · Jun 5, 2007, 10:34 PM

Read the Wiki. ;-)

You'll have to make up your own mind if it's safe to use. If it were my camera, I'd try it.

http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/CHD...ur_warranty.3F

As for raw versus jpeg, they are *many* threads on that subject. Raw is unprocessed data from the sensor and if you shoot in raw, you have more control over how the image is processed later (white balance, sharpening, contrast, saturation, etc. have not been applied yet). But, the amount of benefit you may see will depend on how good a camera's image processing is, what your settings were, what type of scene was being shot, what raw conversion software you're using and more.

I shoot raw + jpeg more often than not with my camera, since that gives me a jpeg I can use if all went as planned, as well as a raw file I can process if I need to make changes in exposure, white balance, etc. for best results. I have been know to shoot strictly in raw (or stricly in jpeg), depending on what I'm shooting. I don't know of the hack supports raw and jpeg at the same time or not.

RoGuE1230 · Jun 5, 2007, 10:48 PM

I read the wiki and it said something like it update the firmware? But once you delete the file from the card, does it restore the original firmware?

JimC · Jun 5, 2007, 10:53 PM

The original firmware is never overwritten from what I can determine, and the hack only loads if it's on the memory card when the camera is started. No memory card with the hack on it inserted, no hack running in camera.

RoGuE1230 · Jun 5, 2007, 11:04 PM

Thanks. I will give it a try.

harmonica · Jun 13, 2007, 10:07 AM

What does CHDK stand for? Is it the group who hacked or a description of the hack? I haven't bought a camera yet and this intrigues me.

kassandro · Jun 13, 2007, 11:22 PM

In similarity to SDK CHKD may stand for for Canon Hacking Development Kit.

Because of their unique capabilities any digicam enthusiast should have one CHDK camera. While there are certainly already some people, who try the same for the more recent Digic III models, we don't know yet, whether they will be successfull. It would be very easy for Canon to disable automatic loading of the hack in their upcoming models, and it is this outstanding and very surprising feature, which makes the hack such a pleasure to use.

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Jun 5, 2007, 8:31 PM	#1
RoGuE1230 Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 28	I have been reading about some kind of hack that I can use on my new A630. What is it exactly, and can it benefit a novice like me? Also, is this hack safe to use?

Jun 5, 2007, 9:19 PM	#2
JimC Administrator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Savannah, GA (USA) Posts: 22,378	This might help: http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK/FAQ

Jun 5, 2007, 9:51 PM	#3
RoGuE1230 Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 28	Will there be any adverse effects from using this? What makes RAW better? Also, is this on my camera permanantly once I use it or is it reversible? BTW: I am a fellow Georgian. I am in Gwinnett.

Jun 5, 2007, 10:34 PM	#4
JimC Administrator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Savannah, GA (USA) Posts: 22,378	Read the Wiki. ;-) You'll have to make up your own mind if it's safe to use. If it were my camera, I'd try it. http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/CHD...ur_warranty.3F As for raw versus jpeg, they are many threads on that subject. Raw is unprocessed data from the sensor and if you shoot in raw, you have more control over how the image is processed later (white balance, sharpening, contrast, saturation, etc. have not been applied yet). But, the amount of benefit you may see will depend on how good a camera's image processing is, what your settings were, what type of scene was being shot, what raw conversion software you're using and more. I shoot raw + jpeg more often than not with my camera, since that gives me a jpeg I can use if all went as planned, as well as a raw file I can process if I need to make changes in exposure, white balance, etc. for best results. I have been know to shoot strictly in raw (or stricly in jpeg), depending on what I'm shooting. I don't know of the hack supports raw and jpeg at the same time or not.

Jun 5, 2007, 10:48 PM	#5
RoGuE1230 Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 28	I read the wiki and it said something like it update the firmware? But once you delete the file from the card, does it restore the original firmware?

Jun 5, 2007, 10:53 PM	#6
JimC Administrator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Savannah, GA (USA) Posts: 22,378	The original firmware is never overwritten from what I can determine, and the hack only loads if it's on the memory card when the camera is started. No memory card with the hack on it inserted, no hack running in camera.

Jun 5, 2007, 11:04 PM	#7
RoGuE1230 Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 28	Thanks. I will give it a try.

Jun 13, 2007, 10:07 AM	#8
harmonica Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 27	What does CHDK stand for? Is it the group who hacked or a description of the hack? I haven't bought a camera yet and this intrigues me.

Jun 13, 2007, 11:22 PM	#9
kassandro Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 448	In similarity to SDK CHKD may stand for for Canon Hacking Development Kit. Because of their unique capabilities any digicam enthusiast should have one CHDK camera. While there are certainly already some people, who try the same for the more recent Digic III models, we don't know yet, whether they will be successfull. It would be very easy for Canon to disable automatic loading of the hack in their upcoming models, and it is this outstanding and very surprising feature, which makes the hack such a pleasure to use.