More cameras that Canon originally crippled by not including a cable-release
option have been made available to the USB Remote Cable-Release function of
CHDK.
To download the files needed see:
http://hem.passagen.se/fsmmal/chdk2.html
(Note that S2 IS camera files are available there but at this time I don't think
they support the USB cable-release function. The author included them for the
extended features he created, like the LED and other enhanced uBASIC commands
for CHDK scripts.)
To learn how to use these files see:
http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK
You can now do anything with just your P&S camera that could only be done before
by tethering your camera to a laptop or desktop computer running remote-capture
software. Just build a simple button-battery+switch to plug into any USB
extension cable. CHDK also includes elaborate intervalometer sequences (and
more) and also includes motion detection triggering for still-frame AND video
modes--which isn't even an option in Canon's remote-capture software.
Motion-detection triggering for still-frames is only available in the better
3rd-party "Cam4You Remote" software.
CHDK's motion-detection routine is even fast enough for lightning photographs
using just your unattended camera (see links on main CHDK page about lightning
photography). The lightning's pre-strike leader triggering the camera's shutter
in time to capture the main lightning-bolt. No need to buy many-hundred-dollar
bulky lightning-detection devices that were once only available to D/SLRs. It's
already built into your compact, portable, and inexpensive P&S camera, with
CHDK.
Previous announcement regarding the USB Cable-Release function included below:
On Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:59:40 GMT, KevenGaston wrote:
One of the people working on CHDK has managed to port the code from an A710
build, where someone found a way to apply 3V to the USB's normal 5V cable pins
to trigger a CHDK script command. Something that they thought nobody would ever
be able to do since Canon started to cripple all their P&S cameras from having a
cable-release option. Part of Canon's "let's find ways to force people to buy
DSLRs" marketing campaign.
See these pages for photos on how to build a super simple USB remote-cable
release: http://ewavr.nm.ru/chdk/remote.htm
It can be fitted into any USB cable plug and attached to the end of any USB
extension cable when needed. One small switch, one little button battery, it
doesn't get simpler than that.
Here's the link for the binaries and source code for the A710 IS version if
needed http://ewavr.nm.ru/chdk/
Here's the page for the new S3 IS version!
http://hem.passagen.se/fsmmal/chdk2.html
Now you are able to remote trigger your S3 IS camera by any device you can think
of. Just apply a small 3volt button battery current to the normal 5volt pins on
the USB cable. The same signal that tells the camera to switch to download mode
has now been rerouted to a CHDK script command. Use any devices you can think
of, IR remote controls, RF remote controls, light-triggers, any simple
electronic switching circuit in existence!
Just run this simple CHDK script, or insert this simple routine in any of your
own more elaborate specialized scripts to detect whenever 3volts are applied to
the USB cable pins. Just plugging your camera into your computer will trigger
your camera to take a photo, as that applies 5V to the pins, a simple way to
test if it's working.
@title Remote button
:loop
wait_click 1
is_key k "remote"
if k=1 then shoot
goto "loop"
end
S3 IS + CHDK =
Remote Control (w/o computer tether)
Motion Detection, fast enough to take lightning photos.
Extensive Intervalometer Events, with 0.1 second or greater accuracy.
User Written Scripts, HDR bracketing, automated Focus Bracketing, etc.
User Written Cropping & Framing Grids
Hi-compression Video Mode
(long list of features available at CHDK Wiki pages
http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK )
Just when you thought it couldn't get better it happens again!
This is like getting a new camera every week, for FREE! 