Hello.
I had posted this on the suggestions page, but thought I should try here in case these requests are possible or already implemented...
"I'm very tempted to try CHDK on my Canon Powershot A620, as I have been using it to practice Stop Motion animation. However, I have a couple of problems with Canon's current firmware (possibly hardware as I am unsure) that hopefully can be fixed using CHDK. I know nothing much about the settings and such of the camera as I'm pretty much a "fiddle-a-bit-then-point-focus-and-shoot" person, so please feel free to kindly educate me on anything I should be aware of. Here goes...
1. When using Stop Motion programs, you need a live video feed so that the program can see what the camera is seeing and capture frames (which some digital cameras can't do, and is why people recommend webcams a lot as they have a live feed). I have been able to do this with the Powershot A620, by connecting its AV cable to a Dazzle capture device. However, it doesn't look that great. Normally, what you would do is use the program as a guide, and capture one frame in the program AND take a shot on the camera itself for a high resolution frame, which would be saved in a folder (hopefully using remote capture) or on a SD card, which you would later compile into an animation. However, since making an animation takes loads of images to produce even a few seconds of movement, whatever inside the camera will wear out pretty quickly (or more than it would with normal "photographer" use). I'd like to know what resolution the live feed on the Powershot A620 is (just in case my program isn't configured to use the best possible) and can it be improved at all? Or is it the same as the video mode? I use Manual mode now and have been switching over to Custom mode now so everything is manually configured. In those modes, there is no resolution setting for the live feed, just for the image you're going to shoot.
2. The program I use for Stop Motion shows what you would be seeing on the camera's LCD screen. It also captures EVERYTHING on that screen. So unfortunately, an icon that appears onscreen for whatever setting gets in the way of a good shot. Is there a way to add an extra option to turn off all icons on the display but still leave it on? Sort of like one button press before turning off the display (the display needs to be on otherwise the program won't see anything). This would make it nice and clear as if you're taking a picture normally through the camera and not wear out internal parts. Also, it would be great if it kept the last settings you used, for example: I'm in custom mode and I toggle the focus to manual focus (I get the MF to show up), configured what I needed, then pressed the display button to get rid of all the icons, capture a frame, pressed the display button again to get back to the display mode with all the icons and still be in manual focus mode (without having to go through macro and other stuff over again).
Finally, an option to always leave the display on would be a bonus (I haven't used CHDK yet, so I don't know if this is implemented or not). Three minutes isn't enough! Sorry if it looks like a lot I've typed, but I wanted it to be as clear as possible if this could be done. Myself, and loads of Stop Motion animators out there would seriously thank you!"