I picked up a 300D (original Rebel) for $30...

Nick_Andrews wrote:

People can't wait to offload these older Rebels on the used market. Picked one up for $30 and took it out for a spin around town... still a lot of fun if you keep expectations low!

A 300D works better with the Wasia firmware hack. Bob Atkins has a good write up about it.

The Canon EOS Digital Rebel (300D) Firmware Hack

Note his link to the original Russian site still works.

The hack was updated slightly since Bob's article:

New in this release:

- ISO 3200
- Mirror Lock up
- Selectable pause for mirror lock up see C.Fn. 17
Changes:

- FEC is moved to JUMP button
- 'Left' button selects the autofocus mode:
AF OS - ONEShot
AF SE - AIservo (dosn't work right now)
AF AI - AIfocusAF
- the default button in delete prompt was changed from 'Cancel' to 'OK'. So, be aware.
Now if you want to delete an image, press DEL button and then SET one. To Cancel press any other key.
(Credit: Softpedia)

I used this firmware when I was using a 300D back in the day. I really appreciated mirror-lockup. Being as the original 18-55 kit lens didn't have IS and 300D high ISO was gnarly, I used a tripod a lot. Mirror-lockup helps a lot with slow shutter speeds on a tripod.  As do lenses with IS.

I was experimenting with my 300D the past few days and I really needed Flash Exposure Compensation. I also really appreciated finding the information that FEC is now on the "Jump" button (the release Bob Atkins described had it on the "Set" button.)

Canon's 300D design originally had a lot of features from the 10D but at the last minute Canon removed them (presumably, so as to not rob sales from the 10D). But they only disabled them. The Wasia hack mostly re-enabled features that are already in the firmware.

The hack re-enabled the 10D custom functions. See the 10D manual for an explanation of the custom functions.

Wayne