Canon 300D mirror lockup

For those of you with the 300D and dreaming of the 10D, there's a firmware hack floating around the net that gives the 300D almost all the functionality of the 10D. For astro-photographers that means mirror lockup! It also means custom functions, exposure metering and flash compensation - all of which have been locked out of the standard 300D.

www.bahneman.com/liem/photos/tricks/digital-rebel-tricks.html

I don't have a 300D myself but I'm looking at getting one. If you want to try using the hacked firmware, do be careful as your warranty will be voided.

John,
Definitely worth looking into, Using the CF card to update the program makes things much easier.., I had visions of using a prom reader/writer or having to buy a new prom..

Personally, I'd be slow to try tampering with the 300D. From what I understand, and correct me if I'm wrong, the main advantages of this are mirror lockup and ISO 3200.
Obviously, tampering with the software will void the warrenty.
Secondly, there's a good reason why one would not want the mirror to lock up for too long - dust. Besides, it's not as if the movment of the mirror at the start of the exposure causes any vibrations which harm the image.
As for ISO 3200, there may be some advantages here over 1600 but I'm not sure if it's worth the hassel.
Personally, I don't plan on modifing my camera as it's too big a gamble for something that expensive. However, I know alot of people on the digitalslr yahoo group are currently doing this. A few minor problems have been encountered which they hope to address with the next update of the software.
If one had pushed the boundaries of what the camera was able to do, then I might understand the reason for the upgrade; otherwise I'd concentrate on improving ones photographic and Photoshop skills.

Michael

Michael,
will you be bringing your camera if you're coming to Tullamore AS's meeting on Monday evening? I'd love to have a look at it!

www.irishastronomy.org/boards/viewtopic.php?t=779

Cheers,

Seanie.

Seanie,

Yep, no problem.
If it's clear, I might bring my LX90 and solar filter also it that's ok.
If the weather is good, what time do you want to be there? 7.30pm or earlier? (It'll take a few minutes to setup my scope)

Michael

I might bring my LX90 and solar filter also it that's ok.
If the weather is good, what time do you want to be there? 7.30pm or earlier?

7:30 is good. I was hoping for a fairly good public attendance because of the event in question. I put up VT posters etc in town... but NONE of the local papers printed the article I sent into them!
Blasted election campaigns!

I'm bringing my 70mm refractor too, for some projection - if clear!

Seanie.