CHDK: I know that this has been talked about. Question how do I find the firmware for my camera? How do I download it? If I'am reading right I have to download it to my sdhc card in...

Vic. Loc: Ohio

I know that this has been talked about. Question how do I find the firmware for my camera? How do I download it? If I'am reading right I have to download it to my sdhc card in the camera do I put it in the computor to do this? Next question from what I read if I put this in so can use a remote it says will disable usb so can't down load pictures from camera to computor.

mremery Loc: From Maine, living in Virginia

This depends much on the make and model of the camera, but the firmware would be stated in the menu setup and information, and update downloads would be at the manufacturer web site. Instructions on applying the download should be there as well.

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

There are some people who really like CHDK firmware for specific needs. Personally, I think it is a royal pain to manage.

Fortunately, CHDK firmware apps are temporary - you load them on an SD card and they are available to your camera. If you put a clean SD card into your camera and reboot it (turn it off and on again), all of the CHDK firmware is gone and the camera goes back to its original settings.

So if the firmware you want to use disables the USB, that capability will be restored as soon as you reboot without that CHDK app.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Vic. wrote:

I know that this has been talked about. Question how do I find the firmware for my camera? How do I download it? If I'am reading right I have to download it to my sdhc card in the camera do I put it in the computor to do this? Next question from what I read if I put this in so can use a remote it says will disable usb so can't down load pictures from camera to computor.

When you Google search for CHDK, the main site has good instructions for setting it up on the card. If you do NOT set it up to auto load, then after using the remote release option, just shut the camera off for a few seconds and turn it back on, don't start CHDK and the USB will work just like it does from the factory.

Vic. Loc: Ohio

OK I done some reading on there site and they said it could cause problems like the lens extending to far and several other things. Said hadn't had any reports but several things could happen to your camera so think I will pass until it is more stable.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

Vic. wrote:

OK I done some reading on there site and they said it could cause problems like the lens extending to far and several other things. Said hadn't had any reports but several things could happen to your camera so think I will pass until it is more stable.

You shouldn't ever encounter this issue unless you experiment with scripts and by chance enter in a value that causes the camera to malfunction. Chances are though, the script would not run with incorrect parameters.

Using the basic CHDK is very safe as there is no overwriting to the original firmware.

Carioca

Vic. wrote:

OK I done some reading on there site and they said it could cause problems like the lens extending to far and several other things. Said hadn't had any reports but several things could happen to your camera so think I will pass until it is more stable.

It's definitely possible. But highly unlikely. I've been using CHDK on four different cameras over the last four years, and have never had a problem like that. The software is written by people who use these cameras themselves, so they have just as much interest as you do in protecting their equipment.

Vic. Loc: Ohio

Queation if I download chdk onto my card to my camera and then format the card to clear pictures will also delete chdk.

jazzplayer

Vic. wrote:

Queation if I download chdk onto my card to my camera and then format the card to clear pictures will also delete chdk.

If you format the card, I'm sure it would also erase CHDK, so you would want to either use Erase instead on the camera, or else just keep a copy of CHDK handy on your computer to copy onto a reformatted card (you'll probably want to do that anyway).

Also, I tested USB communication with CHDK running (on a SX30), and USB appears to function normally unless CHDK's Remote functions are turned on (or you're in <ALT> mode).