Hacked Firmware -a new trend? 5 models & counting...

Jim Cockfield said:

I think we're seeing a new trend guys....

Yesterday, I was surprised to learn that yet another camera was
hacked.

This time, it was the Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z2 (gives it the
ability to shoot in RAW).

So far, I've seen hacked firmware for the Canon EOS-300D/Digital
Rebel, Nikon Coolpix 2100, Nikon Coolpix 3100, Nikon Coolpix 3700,
and now the Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z2.

The Nikon and Konica-Minolta models get the ability to shoot in RAW
mode (in a format unsupported by their manufacturers).

There may even be more that I haven't discovered. Most of the
hacked firmware seems to be originating in Russia.

I suspect that the RAW mode is relatively easy to hack... Most
models probably have a hidden RAW mode since the camera has to
convert from RAW to JPEG anyway, and RAW may be needed for factory
test purposes.

For example, I've got a little Konica KD-510z that has a RAW mode
via a very well hidden menu choice (but no hacked firmware that I'm
aware of).

I suspect that manufacturers are just hiding features that many
cameras have for marketing purposes.

So, it looks like we're beginning to see a trend where firmware is
being hacked to enable hidden features.

--
JimC

Click to expand...

Daniel Card said:

Daniel

Jim Cockfield said:

I think we're seeing a new trend guys....

Yesterday, I was surprised to learn that yet another camera was
hacked.

This time, it was the Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z2 (gives it the
ability to shoot in RAW).

So far, I've seen hacked firmware for the Canon EOS-300D/Digital
Rebel, Nikon Coolpix 2100, Nikon Coolpix 3100, Nikon Coolpix 3700,
and now the Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z2.

The Nikon and Konica-Minolta models get the ability to shoot in RAW
mode (in a format unsupported by their manufacturers).

There may even be more that I haven't discovered. Most of the
hacked firmware seems to be originating in Russia.

I suspect that the RAW mode is relatively easy to hack... Most
models probably have a hidden RAW mode since the camera has to
convert from RAW to JPEG anyway, and RAW may be needed for factory
test purposes.

For example, I've got a little Konica KD-510z that has a RAW mode
via a very well hidden menu choice (but no hacked firmware that I'm
aware of).

I suspect that manufacturers are just hiding features that many
cameras have for marketing purposes.

So, it looks like we're beginning to see a trend where firmware is
being hacked to enable hidden features.

--
JimC

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Daniel Card said:

I'd like to see how the hacks works. Perhaps I could improve my
favorite digicams such as the Pentax 43wr and Canons. Show me the
code and I'll show you a better camera.

Click to expand...

René van Elst said:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canondigicamhacking/

Click to expand...

Jim Cockfield said:

I think we're seeing a new trend guys....

Yesterday, I was surprised to learn that yet another camera was
hacked.

This time, it was the Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z2 (gives it the
ability to shoot in RAW).

So far, I've seen hacked firmware for the Canon EOS-300D/Digital
Rebel, Nikon Coolpix 2100, Nikon Coolpix 3100, Nikon Coolpix 3700,
and now the Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z2.

The Nikon and Konica-Minolta models get the ability to shoot in RAW
mode (in a format unsupported by their manufacturers).

There may even be more that I haven't discovered. Most of the
hacked firmware seems to be originating in Russia.

I suspect that the RAW mode is relatively easy to hack... Most
models probably have a hidden RAW mode since the camera has to
convert from RAW to JPEG anyway, and RAW may be needed for factory
test purposes.

For example, I've got a little Konica KD-510z that has a RAW mode
via a very well hidden menu choice (but no hacked firmware that I'm
aware of).

I suspect that manufacturers are just hiding features that many
cameras have for marketing purposes.

So, it looks like we're beginning to see a trend where firmware is
being hacked to enable hidden features.

--
JimC
------
http://www.pbase.com/jcockfield/konica_kd510z

Click to expand...

Jim Cockfield said:

that Phil frowns upon links to hacked firmware....

So, to keep my good standing (in hope that this thread isn't
"pushing it" already), I'm not going to post a link.

Click to expand...

Daniel Card said:

Why?
Open source is a good thing. It allows people to improve the
products. Can you imagine a chevy that was closed? You couldn't
add headers, turbo charger, 440 engine, etc...

Daniel

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Jim Cockfield said:

Daniel Card said:

Why?
Open source is a good thing. It allows people to improve the
products. Can you imagine a chevy that was closed? You couldn't
add headers, turbo charger, 440 engine, etc...

Daniel

Click to expand...

Daniel:

I've seen other posters comment that Phil frowns upon links to
hacked firmware (and that threads containing links to the Russian
hack for the Digital Rebel were deleted). That's what I was
basing my assumption on.

Now, I just searched the forums and found this (I now just read it
for first time). So, apparently it's true that Phil does not want
links to hacked firmware:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=8431793

As for the donations requested or not requested issue.... Until he
says otherwise, even if the authors of the hacked firmware are not
asking for donations, I'm going to respect Phil's wishes. It's
his web site.

--
JimC
------
http://www.pbase.com/jcockfield/konica_kd510z

Click to expand...

Daniel Card said:

I think the situation is significantly different. Asking for and
receiving programming info is different then providing copyrighted
software and asking money for it.

Click to expand...

Jim Cockfield said:

Daniel Card said:

I think the situation is significantly different. Asking for and
receiving programming info is different then providing copyrighted
software and asking money for it.

Click to expand...

Links to hacked firmware is not really "programming info"...

Perhaps we're talking about two different things here.

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