The best thing I’ve come across lately is called CHDK.
CHDK is a firmware enhancement that operates on a number of Canon Cameras. CHDK gets loaded into your camera’s memory upon bootup (either manually or automatically). It provides additional functionality beyond that currently provided by the native camera firmware.
It’s pretty sweet. I haven’t really explored the finer details, but the feature that I’m excited about is the ability to run scripts.
Scripts like time lapse photography.
Ever since we lost our Nikon camera in Mexico we haven’t had anything (save the computer + webcam) that could do time-lapse photography. Which obviously isn’t very practical if I’m outside of the house. My trusty(-ish1) Canon A540 doesn’t have a time lapse mode. But now it does, and I can make time lapse videos again, and I didn’t have to go spend $300 on a new camera.
So to celebrate I made this video when we went to dinner tonight:
(3.6MB / 00:27)
1It’s been draining batteries like crazy lately. I first thought it was that my rechargeables are starting to reach the end of their life, but normal disposable AAs drain just as quick. I don’t know…