Hacking Digital Cameras

by Cheng, Chieh; Rahimzadeh, Auri

ISBN13: 9780764596513

ISBN10: 0764596519

Format: Paperback

Pub. Date: 2005-09-23

Publisher(s): Wiley

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Summary

Why waste a thousand words?Photos tell stories. And the more you can do with your digital camera, the better the story you can tell. So build a remote control and sneak up on that picture that keeps eluding you. Create an adapter that lets you use SLR-type lenses on your point-and-shoot. Play with lens magnification or create a pinhole lens. Beef up flash memory. And that's just where the tale begins. The ending is up to you.Hack any digital cameraIllustrated step-by-step directions for more than 20 hacks, including: Building triggers Accessing raw sensor data Making accessory lens adapters Eliminating the infrared blocking filter Extending lenses Making reverse macro adapters Building a monopod Creating bicycle and car mounts Hacking microdrives from other devices

Author Biography

Chieh Cheng has a Computer Science degree and is currently a Senior Software Engineer developing radiation medicine control systems for cancer treatment. He is an avid photographer who has won photo contests and had pictures published in magazines. Hacking cameras is one of his many long-term hobbies. He created and has maintained the Camera Hacker web site (www.CameraHacker.com) since its inception in 1998. The web site includes forums and articles on camera hacking projects, practical photography tips, and photographic equipment reviews.

Auri Rahimzadeh has been tinkering with computers ever since he was six years old and loves all technology. Auri collects computers and has been involved with many computer projects, including teaching computers alongside Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer. Auri is the author of the book Geek My Ride, also published by Wiley in their ExtremeTech series. He has written hundreds of articles on various computer technologies, and has contributed to many standards, including HDTV, DVD, and interactive television. Auri contributes to computer education for students across the country and has promoted technology awareness through the Indianapolis Computer Society, where he has served as president for three years. Currently, Auri runs his own IT consulting firm, The Auri Group (TAG), and spends his free time programming, chatting in Starbucks, and going to Pacers games (Go Pacers!).

Acknowledgments

Introduction

xxiii

Part I: Hacking Cameras

Chapter 1: Building Triggers

(44)

Making a Wired Remote Trigger

(14)

How Does a Remote Trigger Work?

(1)

Parts You Need

(5)

Tools You Need

(3)

Drilling the Case

(1)

Soldering the Wires

(2)

Fitting the Pieces Together

(1)

Making a Delay Trigger

(12)

Parts You Need

(3)

Tools You Need

(1)

Circuit Diagram

(4)

Prototyping the Circuit

(2)

Soldering the Wires

(1)

Putting It Together

(1)

Making an Interval Trigger

(5)

Parts You Need

(1)

Tools You Need

(1)

Circuit Diagram

(3)

Connecting the Triggers to a Point-and-Shoot Camera

(10)

Parts You Need

(1)

Tools You Need

(1)

Taking the Camera Apart

(2)

Looking for the Shutter Switch

(2)

Determining the Shutter Button Pins

(1)

Soldering the Trigger Interface

(2)

Modifying the Camera Case

(2)

Reassembling the Camera

(1)

Extending the Remote Switch

(3)

Chapter 2: Adding a Tripod Socket to Your Camera

(14)

Parts You Need

(1)

Tools You Need

(1)

Assembly

(10)

Making the Tripod Socket

(1)

Measuring the Base of the Camera

(1)

Cutting the New Base

(2)

Placing the Socket Directly Under the Lens

(1)

Drilling the Hole for the Socket Screw

(1)

Gluing the Tripod Socket into the Wood Base

(2)

Gluing the Wood Base to the Camera

(3)

Chapter 3: Accessing Raw Sensor Data

(32)

Understanding Unconverted Real Sensor Data

(3)

Enabling Raw Mode on Nikon COOLPIX

(10)

Getting the Software

(2)

Setting Raw Diagnostics Mode

(1)

Capturing Raw Files

(1)

Watch Out for Side-Effects

(4)

Enabling Raw Mode on Casio Digital Cameras

(3)

Enabling Raw Mode on QV-2000UX, QV-3000EX, QV-4000, and QV-5700 Digital Cameras

(1)

Enabling Raw Mode on QV-3500EX

(1)

Enabling Raw Mode on Exilim P600, Exilim P700, and Exilim EX-Z55

(1)

Decoding Raw Files

(14)

Getting the Decoder Software

(1)

Creating the Decoder Executable for DOS and Windows

(5)

Compiling the Decoder for Linux

(3)

Running the Decoder

(2)

Automating the Decoder with Batch Processing

(3)

Chapter 4: Hacking Power

(14)

Interfacing to SLRs

(5)

Parts You Need

(1)

Tools You Need

(1)

Canon DR-400 Pin-Out Diagram

(2)

Cutting the Cable

(1)

Wiring the Connectors

(1)

Interfacing to Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras

(1)

Parts You Need

(1)

Tools You Need

(1)

Making the Fake Battery

(4)

Building the Connector

(1)

Modifying the Camera

(1)

Making a Portable Battery Pack

100

(1)

Parts You Need

100

(2)

Tools You Need

102

(1)

Assembly

103

(1)

Hacking the Lenmar Mach 1 Speed Charger Battery Adapter Plates

103

(3)

Parts You Need

103

(1)

Tools You Need

104

(1)

Picking the Right Battery Adapter Plate

105

(1)

Disassembling the Adapter Plate

105

(1)

Soldering the Wires

106

(1)

Drilling a Hole and Cutting a Slot

106

(1)

Reassembling the Adapter Plate

106

(1)

Powering on Your Camera

106

(1)

Chapter 5: Controlling Your Digital Camera from Afar

107

(24)

Basic Infrared Signal Characteristics

108

(2)

Using a Universal Remote Control with Your Camera

110

(6)

Searching for the Right Remote Code (Automatic Programming)

111

(1)

What Code Was Se-0

112

(1)

Manually Programming the Universal Remote

113

(1)

Programming a Teachable Universal Remote Controller with a Camera Remote

113

(1)

Learning Commands from a Camera Remote

114

(2)

Using Nevo with Your Camera

116

(5)

Programming Nevo with Your Camera's Remote

116

(5)

Using Total Remote with Your Camera

121

(10)

Programming Total Remote with Your Camera's Remote

123

(3)

Using Pre-Made Remote Files from the Internet

126

(5)

Chapter 6: Improving Your Canon EOS Digital Rebel

131

(34)

Getting the Hacked Firmware

132

(2)

Getting the Official Digital Rebel Firmware

134

(1)

Updating the Camera Firmware

134

(5)

Copy the Firmware to a CompactFlash Card

134

(2)

Installing the Firmware onto the Digital Rebel

136

(3)

Using the Hacked Firmware

139

(23)

High Speed Shooting at ISO 3200

139

(1)

Auto-Focus Modes

140

(2)

Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC)

142

(5)

Review Enhancement

147

(1)

Custom Functions

148

(9)

Known Issues

157

(1)

Non-Functional Custom Functions

158

(4)

Reverting to Canon's Firmware

162

(3)

Part II: Hacking Lenses

Chapter 7: Using Accessory Lenses

165

(22)

Understanding Magnification

167

(3)

Understanding Perspective

170

(9)

Using Wide-Angle Lenses

172

(2)

Using Telephoto Lenses

174

(5)

Filter Thread

179

(2)

Mounting Thread

181

(1)

Step-Up and Step-Down Rings

181

(2)

Mounting to a Point-and-Shoot Camera

183

(1)

Mounting to an SLR Lens

184

(2)

Mounting to a Camcorder

186

(1)

Chapter 8: Making an Accessory Lens Adapter

187

(10)

Parts You Need

187

(1)

Tools You Need

188

(1)

Assembly

189

(5)

Measuring and Cutting the Pipe

189

(1)

Test Fitting

190

(1)

Gluing Everything Together

191

(3)

Trying Out the Lens Adapter

194

(1)

Using a P&S Camera like an SLR

195

(2)

Chapter 9: Changing the Lens Magnification

197

(4)

Understanding Lens Elements and Groups

197

(2)

Reconfiguring the Cokin 0.5x Wide-Angle Lens

199

(2)

Disassembling the Lens

199

(1)

Reconfiguring the Lens Elements

200

(1)

What's Next?

200

(1)

Chapter 10: Making Your Own Pinhole Lens

201

(16)

Why Does It Work?

201

(2)

Making the Pinhole Lens

203

(9)

Parts and Tools You Need

203

(1)

Measuring the Cap

204

(2)

Drilling the Preliminary Hole

206

(1)

Creating a Pinhole Using a Needle

207

(2)

Trying It Out

209

(1)

Lens Comparison

209

(3)

Shooting with the Pinhole Lens

212

(5)

Focal Length

212

(1)

Aperture

212

(1)

Determining Exposure Time

213

(2)

Tips on Shooting a Pinhole Photograph

215

(2)

Chapter 11: Extending the Lens on Canon EOS Cameras

217

(6)

The Problem

217

(3)

Jury-Rigging the Lens

220

(1)

Modifying the Lens Permanently

220

(3)

Tools You Need

221

(1)

Modifying the Lens Mount

221

(2)

Chapter 12: Making Reverse Macro Adapters

223

(34)

Parts You Need

224

(4)

Manual Adapter

224

(2)

Automatic Adapter

226

(2)

Tools You Need

228

(5)

Manual Adapter

229

(1)

Automatic Adapter

229

(1)

Optional Tools

229

(4)

Making a Manual Adapter

233

(4)

Disassembling the Sacrificial T-Mount Adapter

235

(1)

Gluing the Reversing Ring to the T-Mount

235

(2)

Making an Automatic Adapter

237

(17)

Dismantling the Sacrificial Extension Tubes

238

(5)

Modifying the Extension Tubes

243

(2)

Threading the Ribbon Cable

245

(2)

Soldering the Wires

247

(3)

Putting the Reverse Macro Adapter Together

250

(3)

Gluing the Step-Down Ring

253

(1)

Trying Out Your Adapters

254

(3)

Lens Selection

255

(2)

Chapter 13: Modifying the Canon EF-S Lens for Use on Canon EF Mounts

257

(16)

Tools You Need

261

(1)

Hacking Away

262

(5)

Disassembling the Lens

262

(2)

Sawing the Plastic Mount

264

(1)

Reassemble the Lens

265

(2)

Trying the Lens on EOS SLRs

267

(6)

Digital SLRs

269

(1)

APS SLRs

269

(1)

Full-Frame SLRs

269

(4)

Part III: Creative Photography Hacks

Chapter 14: Hacking with Filters

273

(20)

Physical Characteristics

276

(4)

Circular Screw-On Filters

276

(2)

Square and Rectangle Filters

278

(1)

Gelatin Filters

279

(1)

Putting a Filter Thread on an Accessory Lens

280

(3)

Tools You Need

280

(1)

Parts You Need

280

(2)

Gluing the Step-Up Ring to the Lens

282

(1)

Making Filters Out of Plain Glass

283

(10)

Diffusion Filters

284

(3)

Fog Filter

287

(1)

Color Filters

288

(1)

Star Filter

289

(3)

Infrared Filter

292

(1)

Chapter 15: Shooting Infrared Pictures with Your Digital Camera

293

(24)

Understanding the Light Spectrum

294

(2)

Can My Camera Shoot Infrared Photographs?

296

(6)

Infrared Photography with Film

296

(3)

Digital Infrared Photography

299

(2)

How Well Does Your Digital Camera Perceive Infrared Light?

301

(1)

Shooting Infrared Photographs

302

(15)

Enhancing Infrared Photography with Filters

302

(4)

Compensating Exposure for Filters

306

(2)

Bracketing Your Shots

308

(3)

Focusing on the Subject

311

(2)

Using a Larger Depth-of-Field

313

(1)

Picking a Color Mode

314

(1)

Color Infrared

315

(1)

Manipulating the Resulting Photograph

315

(1)

Black and White

315

(2)

Chapter 16: Eliminating the IR Blocking Filter from Your Digital Camera

317

(28)

Exclusive IR Cameras

317

(1)

Understanding the IR-Blocking Filter

318

(1)

Modifying Your Digital Camera

318

(22)

Converting the Sony DSC-P92 to Infrared

318

(18)

Testing the Infrared Digital Camera

336

(4)

Shooting Visible Light with an IR Camera

340

(5)

Part IV: Building Fun Camera Tools

Chapter 17: Building a Car Camera Mount

345

(12)

Parts You Need

346

(3)

Tools You Need

349

(1)

Taking Apart the Child Safety Bracket

349

(3)

Drilling the Mounting Plate

352

(1)

Assembling the Car Camera Mount

353

(2)

Installing the Camera Mount in Your Car

355

(1)

Possible Enhancement

355

(2)

Chapter 18: Building a Headrest Camera Mount

357

(16)

Parts You Need

357

(1)

Tools You Need

358

(1)

Removing the Headrest

359

(2)

Sizing the Camera Mount

361

(3)

Drilling the Holes

364

(5)

Test-Fitting the Camera Mount

369

(1)

Installing the Camera Mount in Your Car

370

(3)

Chapter 19: Building a Spycam Mount for Your Bicycle

373

(10)

Many Different "Bikes" Out There

373

(1)

Security Is Key

374

(1)

Buy or Build?

375

(1)

Videotape, Film, and Motion Aren't Always Compatible

376

(1)

Commercial Camera Mount Manufacturers

376

(1)

Do-It-Yourself Projects on the Web

377

(1)

Adding a Spycam

377

(6)

Parts You Need

378

(1)

Converting the Light Mount and Mount the Camera

378

(1)

Connecting a 9V Battery to a Wireless Camera

379

(1)

Storing the Video Receiver and Video Recorder

380

(1)

Plugging the Video Receiver into the Battery Pack

381

(1)

Plugging the Video Receiver into the Video Recorder

381

(1)

Recording

381

(2)

Chapter 20: Building a Camera Stabilizer

383

(12)

Build or Buy?

383

(1)

Tripods versus Stabilizers

384

(1)

Still Photography versus Video Stabilization

385

(1)

Building Your Own Steady Cam Stabilizer

386

(2)

Parts You Need

388

(1)

Tools You Need

389

(1)

Assembling the Handle

389

(1)

Drilling the End Caps

389

(1)

Building the Camera Mount

390

(2)

Adding the Counterweight

392

(2)

Putting It All Together

394

(1)

Using Your Steady Cam

394

(1)

Chapter 21: Building a Flash Bracket

395

(8)

How Do Flashes Work?

397

(1)

Hot Lights versus Flash Brackets

397

(1)

Does Shutter Speed Matter with Digital Cameras?

397

(1)

Building the Bracket

398

(5)

Buy or Build?

398

(1)

Parts You Need

398

(1)

Tools You Need

398

(1)

Cutting the Aluminum into Strips

399

(1)

Preparing the First Aluminum Strip

399

(1)

Preparing the Second and Third Strips

399

(1)

Attaching Ball Sockets

400

(1)

Attaching Bracket to Tripod

400

(1)

Using the Bracket

400

(3)

Chapter 22: Building a Monopod

403

(8)

Parts You Need

403

(2)

Tools You Need

405

(1)

Assembly

405

(6)

Chapter 23: Making a 500-Watt Home Studio Light

411

(14)

Parts You Need

411

(2)

Tools You Need

413

(1)

Assembly

414

(5)

Mechanical Operation

419

(2)

Photography with a Home Studio Light

421

(4)

White Balance

421

(4)

Chapter 24: Modifying the CF Type I to PC Card Type II Adapter

425

(10)

Parts You Need

428

(1)

Tools You Need

428

(1)

Making the Modification

429

(5)

Using the Adapter

434

(1)

Chapter 25: Removing the 4GB Microdrive from the Creative Nomad MuVo² MP3 Player

435

(16)

MuVo Models

437

(1)

Downloading the Firmware

437

(1)

Which Firmware Version Should I Use?

437

(1)

Tools You Need

438

(1)

Disassembling the MuVo2

438

(5)

Taking the Case Apart

438

(2)

Removing the Microdrive

440

(3)

Putting the MuVo² Back Together

443

(6)

Substituting CF Cards

444

(1)

Booting Up

444

(5)

Using the Microdrive

449

(2)

Chapter 26: Removing the Microdrive from the Rio Carbon 5GB MP3 Player

451

(8)

Overview of the Rio Carbon

451

(1)

Disassembling the Device

452

(2)

Tools You Need

453

(1)

Taking the Case Apart

453

(1)

Removing the Drive

454

(2)

Putting the Device Back Together

456

(2)

Installing Firmware

457

(1)

Installing a Different Microdrive

457

(1)

Using the 5GB Microdrive in Your Digital Camera

458

(1)

Why It Might Not Work with Your Digital Camera

458

(1)

Chapter 27: Removing the 4GB Microdrive from the Apple iPod mini

459

(16)

Disassembling the iPod mini

460

(9)

Tools You Need

460

(1)

Getting Inside the Enclosure

460

(7)

Removing the Microdrive

467

(2)

Putting the iPod mini Back Together

469

(1)

Resetting the iPod mini

470

(1)

Updating the Firmware

471

(4)

Appendix A: Soldering Basics

475

(8)

Appendix B: Circuit Symbols

483

(2)

Appendix C: Glass Cutting Basics

485

(8)

Appendix D: Photographer's Glossary

493

(2)

Index

495

Hacking Digital Cameras

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