Canon CHDK User Manual

4 (1)

CHDK

Extra Features

For Canon® Point and Shoot Cameras

User Quick Start Guide

CHDK

Canon® Hack Development Kit

User Quick Start Guide

2010 V.1.8.6

For Canon® Cameras with CHDK loaded and operational

For installation instructions go to: http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

1

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements…………. 2

CHDK Introduction…………...3

Using CHDK…………………...4

OSD Display diagram………..7

Main Menu……………………..8

Extra Photo Operations……….8

Video Parameters…………….15

RAW Parameters……………...16

Edge overlay…………………..19

Custom curves………………...20

Histogram Parameters……….21

Zebra Parameters………….….24

OSD Parameters……………….26

Visual Settings…………………35

Scripting Parameters………...36

Miscellaneous stuff…………..38

History of CHDK…………… 47

Stereo Data Maker………….48

KAP……………..………...…. 49

Bracketing notes………..….49

RAW notes……………...…...50

Bad pixel notes……………. .51

USB Remote notes…….…..52

Grids notes…………...……. 53

Curves notes ……………….54

Scripting notes……………..54

Flash notes……………..….. 58

Examples……………..…….. 58

FAQs and Facts………..…...62

Miscellaneous info…………64

Links……………..…….……. 66

Legal Notes……..……..…. ..67

INDEX...…………..…..……...68

2

Acknowledgements

CHDK has to be one of the most innovative improvements to any camera that has ever come along since the beginning of photography. Started out by some people who only wanted RAW out of their rawcrippled cameras, it has now grown into one of the most adaptable, flexible, and full-featured operating systems of any cameras ever made. We are all extremely grateful for the work that everyone has put into this arena of discovery, implementation, coding, sharing, camera testing, (especially with the unknown, and possibly high risk), and those that provide all the information on the Wiki pages (and elsewhere in the world). Those who have contributed to this great stride in the world of photography deserve a huge vote of thanks.

Many thanks go to the original developers vitalyb, and GrAnd, ewavr, owenjm, Harvester, jeff666, [mr.anon], MX3, Fingalo, Allbest, CHDKLover, BarneyFife, also to Jucifer and PhyrePhoX, to cosmograph for the excellent CHDK logo, and to all the others mentioned or not, in History of CHDK on page 47

Other contributors include, acseven (the forum), achurch, acid2000, ADamb, ArtDen, Atnas, auj, awdark,, barberofcivil, Basq, Bg~, bondo, bperrybap, brabl2, brake, cail, chdkj, chr, cormac, cppasm, cyril42e, danielmewes, Darkness, DataGhost, diablo, Divalent, ehmu, elecktro255, ERR99, fantomas4o, fboesch, fbonomi, fe50, fishpepper, fudgey, Grin, Hacki, HarpoMa, hiker_jon, h-v-n, iax, ihar, Intrnst, image13, Keoeeit, KevB m2tk, ma_jk, MartinBudden, mattkime, Microfunguy, mkmenuts, mproko, mrblack51, MrSpoon, msl, mweerden, nandoide, neszt, nimrod, nirschi, Novex, oldgit, pedropaislopes, peregrine, pev69, pixeldoc2000, PlasmaHH, quietschi, RaduP, revivery, reyalp, Rorschach, rudi, sharky, shenty, Smartkiller, snc, stift, stevetm2, Thorwak, tillo, toinech, TPC, tr1stan, uvvv, Velo, viulian, vit40, whim, whoever, wontolla, Yarvieh, Yossar, zeno, zfeet,

and more to come……. Many thanks.

And to all the firmware dumpers - Many thanks.

Thanks to Graystar for the Allbest 50 manual, and to the writers of the online Morebest manual, (these pages are based upon those), and everyone else who has contributed however small or large to CHDK and the Wiki pages.

Front cover photo – Canon® Powershot SX20 IS

3

CHDK Introduction

Welcome to CHDK, for users of CanonPoint and Shoot Cameras

Q. What is the CHDK program?

A. CHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-destructive, non-permanent way. After loading of CHDK program your camera will have the following extra functionality: •Shutter-priority (Tv) exposure - via shutter value override feature

•Aperture-priority (Av) exposure - via aperture value override feature

Shooting in RAW, with RAW Average, RAW Sum, and RAW Develop features,

save as .DNG (Digital Negative for wider compatibility)

•Live histogram (RGB, blended, luminance and for each RGB channel)

•Zebra mode (a live view of over and under-exposed areas of your picture)

Depth-of-field (DOF)-calculator, Hyperfocal-calculator with instant Hyperfocal and

Infinity focus-set, and more •Battery indicator

•RAW and Video space-remaining gauges with custom low-limit alerts •USB cable and wireless remote shutter release

Motion-detection trigger - automatically fires camera on motion detection. (Able to capture lightning strikes.)

•Customizable high-speed continuous (burst)

Shutter-based (Tv), aperture-based (Av) and

ISO-based exposure bracketing

(unlimited shots)

•Focus bracketing

(unlimited shots)

 

Adjustable Video quality and size (compression) adjustable while recording

•Elimination of 1 GB video-size limit (for many DigicII cameras)

•Zoom during video function (for cameras without this feature)

•Shutter, Aperture, and ISO Overrides

 

 

•Ultra-long shutter speeds - up to 64 seconds (much longer for supported cameras)

•Ultra-fast shutter speeds - up to 1/10,000" and higher

 

•High-speed Flash Sync at all speeds up to 1/64,000 of a second

•Custom user-editable visible

 

Grids for framing, cropping, and alignment

•File browser

 

 

 

 

•Text reader

 

 

 

 

•Calendar

 

 

 

 

•Games

 

 

 

 

•Fully customizable CHDK display, info placement, user-colors, fonts in menus, etc.

•Custom CHDK User Menu

 

(for instant recall of up to 10 favorite functions)

Scripts execution - including exposure bracketing, focus bracketing, intervalometer, etc

•And other features too numerous to mention here.

4

These features work on all camera models supported by CHDK. The camera does not need to have "related" or "inherent" features already present - CHDK will add the required functionality. New features are accessed through CHDK-specific menus, rather than the default camera menus.

As CHDK is continually evolving, new features are often added. This means some of the listed features depend on you using a version of CHDK that has those features.

Check out the Downloads page for information on finding the right build for your needs. Go to:- http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Downloads

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Using CHDK

To Start – Auto load method

Cameras that have an SD card that has been prepared as

bootable and is locked (write protected,

with the slide tab on the side of the card), will load CHDK

automatically when turned on. This

is usually called the “Autoload” method, using a camera version specific file “DISKBOOT.BIN” The card lock is bypassed by CHDK and photos and video are able to be saved as normal.

– Manual load method

When the SD card has a camera specific file, which for some versions is “PS.FIR”, and others “PS.FI2”, the card is left unlocked and then:

1.Switch the camera on in Play mode, not Record mode,

2.Press the MENU button, then press UP once (or scroll down the menu list)

3.An option to update the firmware appears, Select that option. (press FUNC.SET)

4.Confirm the update, (OK-press FUNC.SET)

See:- http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Bootable_SD_card

for instructions to make memory card bootable, and information on the loading process.

The CHDK splash screen will appear for about 2 seconds, confirming that CHDK is now running on your camera. (The splash screen can be disabled in Main Menu > Miscellaneous stuff)

Splash screen

5

CHDK will now be running in the background. Some features are enabled by default, for example, battery and memory indicators. However, most features are disabled by default.

To make changes to how CHDK operates, you start by entering <ALT> mode.

<ALT> Mode

When <ALT> mode is enabled the function of certain buttons on your camera will

change, allowing you to start accessing CHDK features. For example, pressing the FUNC.SET button will display the CHDK Script menu, rather than the usual function associated with

FUNC.SET.

There are different ways to enter <ALT> mode, depending on the style of camera.

A Series

Press the Direct Print button (A momentary short press)

G Series

Press the Shortcut button *

S Series – Press the Shortcut button *

SD Series – Press the Direct Print button

* See note on page 6 about Shortcut button.

Also, while in <ALT> mode the following buttons are reassigned:

A Series

Exposure/Erase(+/-) – Toggles RAW capture mode

G Series

AF Frame Selector/Erase – Toggles RAW capture mode

S Series

FUNC.SET – Toggles RAW capture mode

SD / IXUS Series DISP – Toggles RAW capture mode

SX200

“ “ “ “ “

SX10

AF Frame Selector/Erase – Toggles RAW capture mode

Common to most cameras

MENU – Displays the main CHDK menu

FUNC.SET – Display the Script menu

DISPLAY Button -- Return to previous menu

Full Shutter press – Executes the selected Script, or pauses the running script

The following functions are available any time CHDK is loaded.

Common to most cameras

Half Shutter + Left – Toggle Zebra on/off

Half Shutter + Right – Toggle OSD on/off

Half Shutter + Up – Toggle Histogram on/off (on recent versions Half shoot+down).

Half Shutter + Down – Toggle Overrides (Half Shutter + Left on a few models ? )

...(Contd. P6)

6

More keys and shortcuts:

In manual focus mode - (with <ALT>) Up – Set MF to infinity

Down – to set MF distance to hyperfocal distance (based on f/stop and zoom focal-length). Left – Decrease Value Factor,

Right – Increase Value Factor.

Zoom-in / Zoom-out can be assigned to manual focus in Main Menu > Miscellaneous stuff.

On the IXUS series the DISP. button is used to instantly set MF (manual focus) distance to infinity.

See:- Extra Photo Operations Page 9.

In OSD layout editor –

Display – Change the number of pixels the OSD (on-screen display) elements are moved by.

In File Browser –

Right make selection Left – Open context menu.

Zoom-in / Zoom-out – Scroll-By-page in File Browser and File Reader modes. Half-shoot – Scroll one page forward in File Reader mode.

Menu numerical units –

Zoom-in / Zoom-out To enter numerical values in menus the zoom lever / switch is used to change the unit value, ie: 1, 10, 100. The unit value is indicated in the top LH corner of the OSD. When doing this, first select the menu item to be changed, then change the unit value with the zoom lever / switch, then change the selected menu item.

SX10 (And certain other models with separate playback and record buttons ) - To turn the camera on directly into record mode, hold the On /Off button for approx. one second. When switched on, pressing the shutter button full or half will switch to record mode from playback mode.

* Cameras with a Shortcut button can be configured in Miscellaneous stuff to use either, – Shortcut, Flash, Timer, ISO, or Video buttons to enter <ALT> mode, the Shortcut button is the default, press the button with a short momentary press, and for the original Canon function, press and hold slightly longer.

When you enter <ALT> mode, the indicator <ALT> will appear at the bottom middle of the OSD. In <ALT> mode you can now use CHDK Scripts, and also enter the CHDK Main Menu. When you have finished customizing how CHDK operates, and/or using scripts, press the <ALT> mode button to exit <ALT> mode. You can now use the camera to take photos or video, and it’s operation will be changed by the options you set in CHDK.

Canon CHDK User Manual

7

On-Screen Display (OSD) Map

3

4a

10

4b

9

8

7

2

6

1

11

5

 

1

<ALT> Mode indicator

6

Live Histogram

 

 

 

 

2

Mini Console - Current Script info.

7

RAW shots remaining Indicator

 

 

 

 

3

Battery Indicators

8

Miscellaneous Values

 

 

 

 

4a

File-Space Indicators - icon/text

9

Extra Photo Operations - Overrides

 

 

 

 

4b

File-Space Indicator - vertical bar

10

Temperature Indicator

 

 

 

 

5

Clock

11

Fast EV Switch Indicator

 

 

 

 

See OSD Parameters on Page 26 for display settings.

8

Main Menu

The Main Menu is the top-level menu from which all CHDK functions are enabled and customized.

To access the Main Menu, set the camera to <ALT> mode and press the Menu button.

Like Canon’s menus, pressing the

In <Alt> mode press camera menu button.

FUNC.SET button will select the highlighted menu option. Pressing

Use

navigate Menu.

the Display button will move back

one menu level. Pressing the Menu button will exit the current operation.

Extra Photo Operations < Main Menu

Disable Overrides

Allows the use of a half-press + DOWN button press to quickly toggle any override settings on and off. The status of your overrides will appear where your normal override settings are displayed in the OSD - in your chosen warning color.

(See "Visual Settings")

Off - Turns off the "Disable Overrides" shortcut option.

On - Starts out with any override settings DISABLED. In the OSD you will see -

"NO OVERRIDES"

Disable - Starts out with any override settings enabled.

The "On" and "Disabled" options allow you to use this feature in your User Menu (P27)

as your quick override toggle instead of using any shortcut key. Some cameras may not have the shortcut feature available.

• Include AutoISO & Bracketing

Enable [] / Disable [ ]

Includes AutoISO and Bracketing settings in the "Disable Override" settings. If not enabled then your AutoISO and Bracketing settings will not be turned on or off by the "Disable Override" shortcut button.

9

Override shutter speed [0 – 100] <Extra Photo Operations < Main Menu

TV in the OVERRIDES display in the OSD. This feature allows you to override the camera’s shutter speed in all auto and manual modes with the speed you select. This feature allows shutter speeds as long as 64 seconds, (or longer if your camera has CHDK Extra Long Exposure support) and as short as 1/100,000th of a second, in 1/3rd EV steps. This setting is affected by the “Value factor” and the “Shutter speed enum type” settings below. Please note that the actual speeds available are dependent on the camera used and other conditions such as the aperture setting.

Value factor [Off , 1,10,100] or [Off, 1/100k – 100]

Enables the Override shutter speed and sets the Value factor, the use of which is described below.

• Shutterspeed enum type [Ev Step , Factor]

Select the method of determining the override shutter speed.

Ev Step – The method most of us will use. Enables the first set of options above.

The Override shutter speed is shown in seconds. Select the desired shutter speed and set the Value factor to 1 to enable the override function.

Factor – This method will enable the second set of options above.

The shutter speed is determined by multiplying the selected value factor with the selected shutter speed. This method is useful in analytical and research photography.

ND filter state (For cameras with a ND Filter)

When your camera detects a really bright scene, it will swing the ND filter inline with the lens and sensor. This makes the scene look darker and will affect the exposure (but not depth of field like a real aperture / iris would). With the ND filter in, the camera can select a slower shutter speed without over-exposing the entire scene. Also, with the ND filter swung in, the camera will capture an image with an aperture of f/8 - This is an artificial aperture value caused by the ND filter swung in. With CHDK, you can choose to keep the ND filter out, and just select a faster shutter speed to compensate. To do this, use:

Main Menu > Extra Photo Operations > ND filter state

Select one of the options from: [ Off / In / Out]

'Off' means the camera will automatically control the ND filter state.

'In' means the ND filter is swung in.

'Out' means the ND filter is kept out.

Override Aperture [Off , 2.77 – 16.00] <Extra Photo Operations < Main Menu

For cameras with an actual aperture / iris. mechanism (IXUS / SD models have ND filter). AV in the OSD. This feature allows you to override the camera’s aperture settings. Simply select the desired aperture setting and the camera will use that setting in all auto and manual modes. Please note that the actual aperture values available depend on the camera.

Override Subj. Dist. Valu [0 – 65535]

SD in the OVERRIDES display in the OSD. This feature allows you to specify, to the millimeter, the manual focus distance. To focus the camera at the override distance you must half-press the shutter.

10

• Value factor (mm)

[Off, 1, 10, 100, 1000]

FACTOR in the OVERRIDES display in the OSD. The Value factor is used to enable the “Override Subj. Dist Valu” (OSDV), and also to quickly set the focus distance. When updating the “Override Subj. Dist. Valu” with the left/right buttons, the value will be changed by the amount set in the “Value factor.” So “1” changes the OSDV by 1mm, “10” changes by 10mm, and so forth. In this way the OSDV can be updated faster than trying to change the override from 1 to 450mm by pressing the rocker 449 times.

For cameras without Manual Focus, (IXUS series, and some A series) SD Overrides can be used to manage focusing, either by entering values in a menu, or by using shortcut keys. In <ALT> mode, go to Main Menu > Extra Photo Operations > Override Subj. Dist. Valu, > Value Factor - enter a choice of unit value, either 1, 10, 100, or 1000, this will change the Subj. Dist. Value by the unit value you entered, ie: if the Value factor is 10, and the Subj. Dist. is 10 then the focus will be 10 x 10 = 100mm from the lens.

These Manual Focus adjustments can also be achieved with shortcut keys. In <ALT> mode, using the Left / Right keys to adjust the Value Factor and the Zoom lever to adjust the Subject Distance, (or on cameras without a zoom lever use the Display button) Infinity is immediately selected by pressing the Up key, and for Hyperfocal adjustment based on current F-stop and zoom focal length, press the Down key.

The subject distance values are displayed as part of OVERRIDES on the OSD. Remember to exit <ALT> mode to shoot pictures with these adjustments applied. Also

remember to uncheck "clear overrides @ start" setting if you want to continue with the current settings.

Override ISO value [0 – {ISO max for camera}]

ISO:.. in the OVERRIDES display in the OSD. This feature allows you to override the camera’s ISO setting. Select the desired ISO setting and the camera will use that setting in all auto and manual modes.

• Value factor

[Off, 1, 10, 100]

The factor is used to enable the ISO override, and to set a multiplier against the “Override ISO value” set above. So if you want to use an ISO of 1200, you would set the “Override ISO value” to 12, and the “Value factor” to 100. This arrangement exists to speed the setting of a custom ISO.

See:- OSD Parameters on Pages 26, and 27 for “Show State Displays” of overrides in the OSD.

11

Bracketing in continuous mode < Extra Photo Operations < Main Menu

Bracketing is the practice of making several exposures of a scene, with each exposure differing from the next by predetermined steps in exposure or focus settings. Bracketing is used to easily capture a range of exposures so that the best exposure can be selected at a later time. Bracketing is also used to create a series of exposures which will be combined using methods such as HDR processing.

The bracketing features are enabled when the camera drive mode is set to continuous, and custom timer with some models.

Usage Tip: If you wish to fire off individual frames and still have bracketing for each one, after the first shot lightly let-up on the

shutter button to a halfpress position. The next full-press will give you another bracketed shot. This process may be repeated

for as many bracketing steps as you need. Giving you finer

control over the number of bracketed exposures you may require.

Set camera Custom Timer in CanonMenu

See Bracketing notes: Page 49.

• TV bracketing value [Off, 1/3 – 4 Ev]

Set this value to bracket via exposure time. A value of 1 will double or halve the exposure time for the following exposures.

• AV bracketing value [Off, 1/3 – 4 Ev]

Set this value to bracket via aperture. A value of 1 will open or close the aperture by 1 stop for the following exposures.

• Subj. Dist. Bracket Value

[0 – 100]

Set this value to enable focus bracketing. This feature is only

enabled during manual focus mode. This feature allows you to specify the manual focus distance in millimeters. This value is multiplied by the Value factor below to arrive at the final value.

• Value factor (mm) [Off, 1, 10, 100, 1000]

Used as a multiplier for Distance bracketing value.

12

• ISO bracketing value

[0 – 100]

Set this value to bracket via ISO. This value is multiplied by the Value factor below to arrive at the final ISO value that will be used for bracketing. A value of 2, with a Value factor of 10, will increase or decrease the ISO by 20 for following exposures.

• Value factor

[Off, 1, 10, 100]

Used as a multiplier for the ISO bracketing value.

• Bracketing type

[+/-, , +]

With all bracketing types the first exposure uses the current exposure settings of the camera. On following exposures the exposure settings are adjusted as described below.

+/-

This bracketing type will alternatively apply the bracketing value by first subtracting then adding. The sequence goes like this…

0 Ev, -1Ev, +1Ev, -2Ev, +2Ev, -3Ev, +3Ev, etc. Bracketing will continue until you release the shutter. So for example lets say you set the TV bracketing to “2 Ev”, and when you half-press the shutter you notice an exposure time of 1 second. When you fully depress the shutter you will get exposures at these times: 1 sec, ¼ sec, 4 sec, 1/15 sec, 15 sec, 1/60 sec, 15 sec, 1/250 sec, 15 sec, etc.

This bracketing type works as above but will only reduce the exposure value. Using the above example, the exposure times would be 1 sec, ¼ sec, 1/15 sec, 1/60 sec, 1/250 sec, etc.

+

This bracketing type works as above but will only increase the exposure value. Using the above example, the exposure times would be 1 sec, 4 sec, 15 sec. Once the camera’s limit is reached, subsequent exposures will occur at the maximum (or minimum) setting.

• Clear Bracket Values on Start

Enable [] / Disable [ ]

Enable this option to turn off bracketing when the camera is turned off.

• Add raw-suffix

Enable [] / Disable [ ]

In bracketing mode you now have the option to add a suffix to the raw filename, so that later you can easily identify the RAWs that were created during bracketing, it is disabled at default.

Custom Auto ISO < Extra Photo Operations < Main Menu

This feature has 2 purposes: Allow the user to define the exact ranges of ISO used in AutoISO and Auto-HI. As an example: Expand the AutoISO range from 80-200 to 50-400.

Give additional information to the camera to allow it to select the optimal shutter speed (to avoid blur or get the right artistic exposure) and ISO instead of some sub-optimal default...

As an example: Use a faster shutter and higher ISO when shooting sports, but go for a slower shutter and minimal ISO when shooting still landscapes) Method: The camera will try to maintain lowest ISO as long as shutter speed is no-slower than user defined (more below). Custom AutoISO will kick-in whenever ISO HI/AutoISO is chosen. This allows a quick manual override by choosing a specific ISO value.

13

Example: Camera set ISO 100 at 1/8s. AutoISO configured to ISO50-400 at 1/15s: AutoISO will shift to ISO200 to maintain 1/15s shutter speed.

This feature is available in all modes except for Shutter priority (Tv). It is also disabled in stitch assist to prevent using different settings for each panorama part.

Enable Custom Auto ISO Enable [] / Disable [ ]

This is the master switch for this feature.

• Minimal Shutter Speed [Auto 1/8 -etc]

Here you have basically two options:

1. Auto - This is for use when photographing still-life, landscapes, etc. It will use the factors below to prevent camera shake, but will assume the subject holds still.

2. Numerical setting - hint to the camera what the optimal shutter speed is for the subject you are photographing.

The camera will try to use this value or a faster one as much as possible (to prevent blur), e.g.

1/8s - 1/30s - Slow moving subjects.

1/60s - 1/125s - Kids, Pets, general movement 1/250s - 1/1000s - Sports, Fast action

• User Factor (1/FL/factor)

This setting accounts for the user’s ability to hold the camera steady. It is based on the old rule that your shutter speed should be no less than 1/focal-length. Start by dividing the effective focal length of the lens by the actual focal length. The answer is generally somewhere around 6. Then increase or reduce this amount by a self-assessed value of your steadiness. If you think your hands are steadier than average then decrease by 20%. If you think you’re shaky then increase by 20%.

• IS Factor (Tv*factor)

In determining the ISO setting, the effectiveness of the IS system will be taken into account. Use a setting of 4 if your IS is effective enough to give you a two-stop reduction in shutter speed. Use a setting of 2 if the IS isn’t very effective, or 8 if the IS is very effective.

• Max ISO HI (x10)

Sets the maximum “HI” ISO that the camera can select.

• Max ISO Auto (x10)

Sets the maximum “Auto” ISO that the camera can select.

• Min ISO (x10)

Sets the minimum “Auto” ISO that the camera can select.

Clear override values@start

Enable [] / Disable [ ]

Extra Photo Operations overrides will be cleared for the next time the camera is started.

14

Enable Fast EV Switch?

Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

Warning: This feature is not properly workable on all cameras yet.

See: http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php/topic,2595.msg24211.html#msg24211 and: http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php/topic,2501.msg23321.html#msg23321

Turns your UP and DOWN buttons into quick EV compensation buttons. You no longer have to press your FUNC./SET or MENU buttons to adjust your EV settings while shooting. By pressing UP or DOWN buttons the EV increased or decreased. There is also a screen display

showing your chosen EV-compensation settings by whatever step-size you have chosen (see Step Size (1EV)?) below). It is advisable to move your OSD EV override display over your camera's own to prevent confusion.

You will see a real-time change in your EVF/LCD as you change your EV values with this shortcut. It also works while the Zebra Mode is engaged. You can fine-tune the Zebra alert just by pressing the UP and DOWN buttons with half shoot.

When used in conjunction with the Curves "Auto DR" Mode you should never miss another blown highlight or dropped shadow again.

One drawback: If using your up and down buttons during a half-press to see your Zebra

alerts while changing your EV setting, it will toggle your "Disable Overrides" on and off if you have that feature engaged as well. A small price to pay for the ability to have these amazing features. One work-around, set your EV step-size to 1/2 what you normally would use, then the "Disable Overrides" shortcut will always toggle back to your original ON (or OFF) on every 2nd EV +/- press, effectively resetting it where you wanted it in the first place.

Note also: This change is not saved between camera power-downs. If you would always like to start out with a small negative preset EV value to avoid blown highlights, then use Canon's own EV compensation setting for your startup EV value. This Fast EV Switch will reflect that value on startup.

: Enabled when Fast EV Switch is enabled.

: Use OSD parameters > OSD layout editor to move display.

Step Size (1EV)? [1/6 Ev, 1/3 Ev, 1/2 Ev, 2/3 Ev, 5/6 Ev, 1Ev, and on - ]

When using the Fast EV shortcut feature you can adjust how much you want to change your EV compensation with each UP or DOWN keypress. Step size is increments. A major improvement over the adjustment levels and steps in the original firmware.

Force manual flash Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

For optional control over camera flash output, use with Power of flash [ 0, 1, 2 ] to give 3 separate steps up in flash output power.

• Power of flash [ 0, 1, 2 ]

Used with Force manual flash to adjust flash output.

0 = Low, 1 = Medium, 2 = Very High

More at:- Flash notes, and Force flash pics. on page 58

Quality override [ Superfine, Fine, Normal, off ]

For recent camera versions without Canon Superfine setting (SX200, SX20, etc) Canon setting is used when “off” is selected, settings are saved in CCHDK.CFG

15

Video Parameters < Main Menu

Video Mode [ Bitrate or Quality ]

Video compression modes.

Bitrate

dictates a constant data rate.

Video compression (and hence, video quality) expands or

contracts as necessary to maintain the data rate constant.

Quality

Sets a constant compression level, ensuring a defined level of quality regardless of

 

how much data that level requires.

Note: Excess Bitrate and Quality settings can cause memory buffer overload, and stop

recording, a red ! will show on the OSD.

Video Bitrate [ 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.5, 3 ]

The compression factor for Bitrate compression. 0.25 is the most compressed / least quality and 3 is the least compressed/best quality.

Video Quality [ 1 - 99 ] < Video Parameters < Main Menu

The compression factor for Quality compression. 1 is the most compressed / least quality and 99 is the least compressed / best quality.

Clear Video Params on Start? Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

When enabled this will clear all your custom video compression settings back to the camera's own defaults on startup.

Fast Video Control

Enable [•] / Disable [ ] < Video Parameters

Only a few cameras are supported. Pause and unpause video by pressing LEFT / RIGHT while recording. Note: When using this function the remaining video-record time calculation is reset, so the change is shown immediately in the OSD.

Video Quality Control ?

Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

When enabled, using the UP / DOWN button will increase or decrease video quality or bit-rate (depends on which one is enabled in the Video Mode override) - While you are recording.

Enable Optical Zoom

Enable [•] / Disable [ ] < Video Parameters

This feature allows you to use the camera’s optical zoom during video recordings.

Mute During Zooming

Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

To eliminate focus mechanism noise. Please note that the zoom mechanism sound is very loud in video, which is probably why it was disabled by the manufacturer.

AF key < Video Parameters < Main Menu

(Shutter button - half press, or FUNC.SET button) During video recording: camera makes a single autofocus scan.

16

Show Remaining Videotime [ Don’t, hh:mm:ss, KB/s, both ] < Video Parameters

Displays a positionable OSD element to show the video bit-rate, and the remaining video recording-time, on your SD card,…

Don't - No display of remaining recording time and/or video data-rate.

hh:mm:ss - Display a clock of remaining video-recording time left.

KB/s - Display video recording bandwidth (data-rate) in Kilobytes per Second.

Both - Display remaining video-recording time in both hours/mins/secs, and video

data-rate in Kilobytes per Second.

• Refresh Rate (~sec) < Video Parameters < Main Menu

Due to the nature of video's variable bit-rate and compression methods, subject dependent, the "Show Remaining Videotime" has to be updated regularly by re-polling the card-space and the bit-rate to calculate a fairly accurate time-remaining estimate. Choose, in seconds, how often that you want this Video-Recording time-remaining to be updated. Shorter periods of time are less accurate from each on-screen update to the next.

RAW Parameters < Main Menu

Save Raw Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

Enables the saving of RAW files. Enabling RAW does not disable JPEG, both are saved. Also required for saving DNG.

Exceptions < Raw parameters < Main Menu

• Disable @ Video Record?

Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

Some cameras, the S-Series in particular, have a dedicated "Video Record" button where you can engage that and also shoot individual still-frames during video recording. It was found that RAW file-saving can interfere in this process. Turning this option on will ensure that you don't miss a shot or your video.

• Disable RAW @ Sports

Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

Disable RAW saving when the Mode-Dial is turned to Sports Mode. This ensures that fast action sequences won't be missed due to RAW file-saving time, when forgetting to disengage the RAW feature.

• Disable RAW @ Burst

Enable [] / Disable [ ]

Disable RAW file-saving when using burst mode. Again, a handy override for when RAW is not needed during fast burst-sequence shots (RAW enabled would certainly increase time between shots)

• Disable RAW @ Timer

Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

Disable RAW file-saving when using your camera's Custom Timer mode (similar to the safety feature for the burst mode).

17

• Disable RAW @ EV Bracketing

Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

Disable RAW file-saving when you are using any of the high-speed bracketing features.

Disable RAW @ Edgeoverlay

Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

Disable RAW saving while using Edgeoverlay.

Disable RAW @ Auto

Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

Disable RAW saving while using Auto shoot mode.

• Warn when Exception?

Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

Displays a "RAW Disabled" OSD warning in a selectable color when any of the RAW FileSaving Exceptions are enabled and RAW file-saving is turned on.

Dark Frame Subtraction < Raw parameters < Main Menu

Controls the application of the Dark Frame Subtraction feature of your Camera onto the RAW file. Dark Frame Subtraction is a function used to reduce the effects of sensor noise when the exposure time is 1.3 seconds or longer.

Auto Performs a DFS on exposures 1.3 seconds or longer.

Off Never performs a DFS.

On Always performs a DFS.

By always performing a dark-frame subtraction the noise caused by the hot-pixels will be removed from any image. There will be a slight increase in processing time.

Only First RAW in Series

Enable [] / Disable [ ]

When shooting in continuous mode, this will only create a RAW capture for the first image. Subsequent images will not have RAW captures. This allows rapid continuous shooting.

RAW File in Dir with JPEG Enable [] / Disable [ ]

Saves RAW files in the same folder as the JPEG files. If disabled then RAW files are always saved in the 100CANON folder.

RAW File Prefix [CRW_, SND_, IMG_] < Raw parameters < Main Menu

CHDK lets you name your raw files with any combination of the standard prefixes IMG_, CRW_, SND. If you are going to process the RAW files with DNG4PS-2 then setting a prefix of IMG_ will allow DNG4PS-2 to retrieve EXIF data from the accompanying JPEG.

RAW File Extension [.CRW, .CR2, .THM, .WAV, .JPG]

Set the extension to be used on RAW files. so the files are visible when you connect the camera via USB.

RAW subtract extension

[.CRW, .CR2, .THM, .WAV, .JPG]

Using more than one extension with the same prefix can cause a problem with USB listing.

See:-

http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php/topic,2045.msg18862.html#msg18862 Thanks reyalp.

18

RAW develop < Raw parameters < Main Menu

This feature is for RAW files created with CHDK, not the Canon native RAW of some cameras.

Use this feature to process a RAW file and create a JPEG from it. When selected, a file browser window is displayed. Select a RAW file and press Set. Press Set again to clear the message, then press the <ALT> button to exit <ALT> mode. Finally, press the shutter. The RAW file will then be processed into a JPEG. The interesting aspect of this feature is that the processing will occur with the camera’s current settings. So you can use the MyColors settings to create Vivid and Sepia versions of the same image, or simply tweak the sharpness or contrast settings. Normally, you would have to set MyColors before the image is taken, and you would get only one image.

Bad pixel removal [ Off, Average, RAWconv ] < Raw parameters < Main Menu

To remove defective pixels in a DNG image. Once you have generated a list with all the "bad" pixels for your camera, CHDK can remove them automatically.

See:- Bad pixel Notes on page:

51.

and

also:- Badpixel removal at http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Badpixel_removal

DNG format

Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

Automatic conversion of RAW image in the DNG format, in the camera. This format can be read by many image editing programs. Also includes meta data like EXIF and whitebalance / color matrix information. For this feature to be activated, the CHDK file directory badpixel.bin is required, it can be generated either on a Windows PC (see Badpixel_removal for more information), or directly in the camera with a script. This file contains specific information on camera-pixel errors. The DNG files created have the same file extension as described in RAW, and can be reset manually to DNG. There is also an automatic function to rename for most cameras.

‘DNG’ file extension

Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

To distinguish DNG from RAW files. The DNG RAW image files will be stored as <filename>.DNG with this option enabled, otherwise the extension from the "RAW file extension" menu entry is used.

RAW buffer cached

Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

When enabled, saves the DNG file using the RAW buffer, which is a quicker method.

More about RAW

To get the RAW files onto your computer you must use a flash card reader. The most versatile way to work with RAW is to first convert the RAW files to the Adobe DNG format (Adobe Digital NeGative.)

This conversion can now be done in camera. See DNG format above. Once the RAW files are converted, the resulting DNG files can be processed with Photoshop® or any other popular photo processing software.

See also:- Raw notes on page 50

19

Edge Overlay < Main Menu

Enable edge overlay Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

Creates and overlays a high-contrast outline of the edges in the last half-press or shot that you took. Valuable for those that want to align features for panorama stitching or for doing stop-frame animations. Similar to an "onion-skinning" mode in animation software. During shoot mode half or full press this feature adds an overlay based on the image edges, additionally a grid that matches the Canon grid is added.

Use the left, right, up or down buttons to shift the overlay (use it in <ALT> mode to avoid changing the camera options). The edge overlay is frozen when taking a shot. The frozen edges are displayed from then on when the shutter gets half-pressed, FROZEN is shown in the OSD. When you shoot again it goes back to the original behavior: showing the edges of the current image on half-press. This behavior is useful when shooting stereo pairs. For panoramas you would want to freeze the edges after every full press.

Zebra mode should be disabled when using the Edge Overlay.

Save Edge Overlay < Edge Overlay < Main Menu

After creating an overlay, navigate to this menu item and Press Func./Set to save.

Load+Set Zoom Enable [•] / Disable [ ] < Edge Overlay < Main Menu

When this function is activated, the zoom position is stored to the current edge-overlay loaded .

Lock Edge Overlay Enable [•] / Disable [ ]

Enable this to ensure the edge-overlay you loaded or just created is not overwritten in the OSD at half-press. Note:- This checkbox is overwritten on each camera startup.

Edge overlay threshold [ 0 - 255 ] < Edge Overlay < Main Menu

Set the edge-overlay sensitivity. Lower values create edges along lower contrast / lowerbrightness edges. Higher values only create edges on the highest contrast / brightest boundaries, and therefore fewer, finer, and more well defined lines. Adjust to suit your preference.

Edge overlay color < Edge Overlay < Main Menu

When selected press SET to display the standard color selection palette, to choose your edgeoverlay highlighting color. Choose your color then press FUNC.SET again to register that color with this function.

Enable in Play Enable [•] / Disable [ ] < Edge Overlay < Main Menu

Enables edge-overlay to be displayed in playback mode.

Free internal Memory < Edge Overlay < Main Menu

Clears the items saved in the Save Edge Overlay menu.

Load Edge Overlay < Edge Overlay < Main Menu

Press Func./Set takes you to Edge folder, choose an edge overlay to load.

20

Custom Curves < Main Menu

Enables the use of custom "curve" profiles to adjust the exposure of your RAW and JPG images. (Cameras with 12 bit sensors are not yet supported-Dec09).

Difference between CV and CVF curves: CV curves are the standard RGB curves.

CVF curves are special versions of the curves which intends to avoid color shift side effect of the RGB curves. They are an approximation of the luminance curves.

Except the SYSCURVES.CVF file it is recommended to put the curves files in the \curves directory.

See:- http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php/topic,932.0.html

Enable Curve [ None, Custom, +1EV, +2Ev, Auto DR]

None - No curve profile is applied.

Custom - Your custom curve profile is applied as-is.

The following three options require that you have a SYSCURVES.CVF file in your /CHDK folder, this file is included in the "complete" CHDK packages. It is also contained in a file at http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=932.0;attach=1816 which also contains the editor.

Due to the limitation to short 8.3 file names in the file browser of current DryOS-based cameras the file "SYSCURVES.CVF" should be placed on the memory card by a card reader; in the CHDK file browser the file name is shown in shortened format as "SYSCUR~1.CVF".

+1EV - Increases shadow detail by 1EV step.

+2EV - Increases shadow detail by 2EV steps.

Auto DR (auto dynamic range):

Auto DR with Zebra is intended to be used for the direct application of the curves to the shot - and not for post processing (the feature is just mimic of the Fuji S100 +200, +400 Dynamic Range). The flow is:

1.- Activate Zebra display

2.- Activate Auto DR

3.Use the camera EV negative compensation to reduce the Zebra overblown highlights shown on screen. You can use the (+/-) button on the back of the camera.

4.Take the shot. You will directly get the JPG without post processing. The luminance of the darker areas will be raised while the highlight is compressed.

During the RAW develop process, you need to set the EV comp. to the value that you used to reduce the highlight blown out when you took the RAW. Care should be taken with in camera develop since it is a tricky art there (for White Balance issues in particular).

If the scene does not require you to reduce exposure to avoid blown highlights, the Auto DR feature does not do anything.

Load Curve Profile

Load your choice of curve profile from your \CHDK\CURVES folder. All curve profile files except for SYSCURVES.CVF should be in this folder.

See also:- Curves on page 54.

21

Histogram parameters < Main Menu

Enables and customizes the Live Histogram feature.

Histogram Anatomy

The horizontal component of a histogram runs from 0 to 255. What is important to understand is the “0” and “255” are not values…they are labels representing a color value. When you see a line in the middle

of the histogram (label “127”) it’s saying “this is how many ‘127’s there are in the image.”

The vertical component of a histogram is the count of pixels at a given level. The bottom is zero and the top represents the largest count of values for a label. So if you have a 7MP image and every color is “127”, then the top of the histogram represents 7 million pixels.

RGB Histogram

RGB histograms simply count pixels at each level. The RGB histogram of an image of three boxes (red, green, and blue) where every color has a value of 127 would be a single line in the middle of the histogram (at label “127”.)

Luminance (Y) Histogram

Luminance histograms attempt to factor in the perceived brightness of colors. A luminance histogram of an image of three boxes (red, green, and blue) where every color has a value of 127 will show three lines at labels “38” (red- x 0.3), “75” (green x 0.59), and “14” (blue x .11).

Show live histogram [Donʼt, Always, Shoot] < Histogram parameters < Main Menu

Donʼt – Don’t show histogram on LCD.

Always – Always show the histogram on the LCD.

Shoot – Only show the histogram when shutter is half-pressed.

Histogram layout [RGB, Y, RGB Y, R G B, RGB all, Y all, Blend, Blend Y]

RGB – Displays the RGB histogram only.

Y – Displays the luminance histogram only.

RGB Y – Displays RGB above luminance.

R G B – Displays three histograms, one for each color.

RGB all – Displays all 5 variations of histograms with RGB on top.

Y all – Displays all 5 variations of histograms with luminance on top.

Blend – Combines the three histogram of the R G B display into one.

Blend Y – Same as Blend but with the addition of luminance below.

Loading...
+ 53 hidden pages