Don’t Try This at Home Kids…

#1 Oleg Kikin

It finally started. "Surprisingly", one week after D70 was announced. I think Canon understands that they will have to issue a new firmware once D70 comes out. So, i'm pretty sure we will see fully functional 300D very soon - in two or three months, i guess.

4:42 pm - Wednesday, February 4, 2004

#2 Freeman

I think you misunderstood it Oleg, the firmware wasn't release from Canon. This is a hacked firmware from the previously updated 1.1.1
After reading it, the features listed was not added to the hacked firmware. It was there all along, just was not enable for some reason.(only canon know why) Not to memtion, this firmware was probably ripped off from the 10D, and some features that listed was confirm by the users in the dpreview forum as not working.

12:00 am - Thursday, February 5, 2004

#3 Sean

I don't think I'll be loading this onto my camera. There's no real benefit to me and lots of risk.

5:17 pm - Thursday, February 5, 2004

#4 Oleg Kikin

freeman, i think you should read more carefully. I wrote "...they will have to issue a new firmware once D70 comes out". D70 isn't out yet - it was only announced.

8:07 pm - Thursday, February 5, 2004

#5 Larry

I'm not sure about the following:

>> There's a LOT of discussion about the undoubtedly
>> illegal ... new firmware version

Since when is it illegal to tinker with a product I own? Can I put headers and dual exhaust on my car? Can I add new software to my PC or run an alternative OS or overclock the CPU if I want to? It *might* be illegal for the distributor of this update to charge money for it (depends on its source), but to download, use and enjoy it is perfectly legal. Don't give away your freedom to tinker.

5:56 pm - Wednesday, March 31, 2004

#6 Terry

I have to agree with Larry. If I install this "hacked" firmware on my300D, which I have, I'm not breaking any laws.

The guy who hacked the firmware, may not have broken any local laws, (he is from russia I gather), while in the process of hacking the firmware. What's more, he may not even have broken local laws by distributing the complete hacked firmware.

A more sensible arrangement might have been to make a "patch utility" available. That way there is no question - he is not breaking any laws at all in distribution of the patch.

I have installed the firmware because it provides something a very vocal group of 300D owners have been complaining about since purchase; Flash Exposure Compensation, which is NOT mentioned above.

I might mention the firmware once installed, if only used with the functions known to work, has no apparent adverse effect on the camera, quite the contrary, it enhances it quite a bit.

The other options, except for the 1/200 shutter setting for <AV> + flash mode were of no interest at all to me.

The other thing the "Hacker" is working on is AI Servo in other than <Sports> mode. I'll be very keen to see that.

I DO NOT suggest that everyone with a 300D should grab the modified firmware and install it, you are taking some risks if you do. Before installing any modified firmware, you should visit the dpreview site and read ALL the postings on this topic.
(Link thoughtfully provided above)

Just to correct a misconception: The "Hacked" firmware is the current version Canon distribute on their website for the EOS 300D. It contains no stolen code. The firmware base is shared between the 300D and the 10D function sets. A simple binary compare of the original Canon download and the modified version will confirm this.
It appears that the 10D functions were left in there after the final 300D function set was fixed prior to it's release, determined by the marketing people at Canon to be unnecessary for the sucsess of the marketing campaign.

4:32 pm - Monday, April 26, 2004