Wondering if any one knows anything about CHDK (stands for Canon Hackers Development Kit): I am new here, I am 77 yrs old and have been taking pictures since I was 8 years old.

Phil Mak Loc: albuquerque New Mexico

I am new here, I am 77 yrs old and have been taking pictures since I was 8 years old.

Wondering if any one knows anything about CHDK (Ways to add features to Canon Point and Shoot cameras)
I have seen a youtube video that shows using a Canon P & S camera to photograph any motion, like lighting.

Any info would be appreciated.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Phil Mak wrote:

I am new here, I am 77 yrs old and have been taking pictures since I was 8 years old.

Wondering if any one knows anything about CHDK (Ways to add features to Canon Point and Shoot cameras)
I have seen a youtube video that shows using a Canon P & S camera to photograph any motion, like lighting.

Any info would be appreciated.

Welcome aboard to the forum.
Check this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETzljip7dKo

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Welcome to UHH.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Phil Mak wrote:

I am new here, I am 77 yrs old and have been taking pictures since I was 8 years old.

Wondering if any one knows anything about CHDK (Ways to add features to Canon Point and Shoot cameras)
I have seen a youtube video that shows using a Canon P & S camera to photograph any motion, like lighting.

Any info would be appreciated.

Haven't heard of it, but going to be interested to read the responses. And welcome to UHH. I hope you enjoy the experience.

drharveys Loc: Holly Springs, NC

I used it 20 years ago to modify Canon A70IS (?), a 4.1 mp point and shoot. I recall it being complex and slightly scary as I didn't want to mess things up. I forget what I modified! As I recall, a large community of folks worked on it. Welcome to the forum!

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

I just went to the website and looked around and afterwords I had only one question - What happens if something goes really wrong?

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Welcome to the Hog, Phil, enjoy.

BitHead

I've been using in for several years now. Started with a Canon A590 then a Canon A810. Used for time lapse and motion detection sessions. You use scripts to accomplish a task such as photographing lighting (motion detection script). I have never had anything "bad" go wrong. You boot CHDK from the SDHC Card and if for some reason you lock up the camera just power off and start over. Learning curve can be steep because of all the options. I was amazed the first time I waved at the camera and it took my picture, that hooked me.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

Howard5252 wrote:

I just went to the website and looked around and afterwords I had only one question - What happens if something goes really wrong?

I have never used it, but AFAIK, no permanent changes are done to the camera. You can power off, change the SD card (for one without CHDK) and power it on again. Should be at the same status as it was prior using CHDK.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

juan_uy wrote:

Should be at the same status as it was prior using CHDK.

Yes, I read that on the site. Things "Should be ..." And my question still stands; "What if ..."
Personally, I would not be willing to take a chance. Other people may, but not me.

tankdonovan Loc: Tennessee

Howard5252 wrote:

Yes, I read that on the site. Things "Should be ..." And my question still stands; "What if ..."
Personally, I would not be willing to take a chance. Other people may, but not me.

Go on eBay and buy a cheap good working Canon P&S camera and give it a try. Could be fun.

rcarol

I have used CHDK in the past mostly to get raw images from a camera that didn't have that capability out of the box.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Howard5252 wrote:

I just went to the website and looked around and afterwords I had only one question - What happens if something goes really wrong?

The thing is, if something goes really wrong, there's no way of telling with certainty that CHDK was the actual culprit. Some cameras unexpectedly (and inexplicably) malfunction and become inoperable without ever having CHDK loaded onto them; there are plenty of documented cases. That's the nature of complex computer/mechanical devices, which is what a digital camera essentially is. If CHDK happens to have been installed at the time of malfunction doesn't really say anything about the cause - the presence of CHDK may be nothing more than a coincidence.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

rook2c4 wrote:

The thing is, if something goes really wrong, ther... (show quote)

Absolutely true; Enjoy it in good health.

Lucky Jim Loc: San Diego, CA

I have used it with 2 Canon compact cameras and I'm satisfied. It works great.
A detailed source of information is chapter 4 in the free book available at:
http://davidsalomon.name/PhotoBook/PhoAd.html

Good luck,