Now you can "upgrade" your Digital Rebel 300D without plonking down the cash for a 20D
or the new replacement expected at PMA later this month. A well tested hack exists for enabling some cool hidden
features on your dreb. Among others, the hack enables features found on the much more expensive 10D and 20D as
noted by Bob
Atkins:
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Enables Custom functions menu
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Enables Flash Exposure Compensation using SET button
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Enables SET button function when shooting (to change image quality or shooting parameters)
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Enables Shutter release w/o CF card
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Flash sync speed in Av mode
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Enables RAW+JPEG rec. Enables setting the quality of embedded JPEG
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Enables Mirror Lock up
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Enables the ability to select the autofocus mode: AI servo, Oneshot etc.
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Enables setting ISO 3200
Usual disclaimers apply, and Canon firmware upgrade instructions can be found here. Canon Rebels are quite cheap now, and now that cameras are in the digital age, they are affected by Moore's Law. It makes much more sense to buy cheap bodies (spend your money on lenses) and replace them every two years than to buy a really expensive camera while is going to be obsolete in a couple of years - unlike buying that trusty old Leica/F100 body you could pass it down to your kids.
1. I've only heard good things about this hack, but haven't tried it since I already HAVE a 10D (which I love).
A few differences to note, however:
The 10D viewfinder is larger and brighter than the Rebel. How much so is a matter of opinion, of course, but the 10D uses a glass pentaprism while the Rebel has a pentamirror.
Another major difference is that the 10D can take 9 frames at 3 frames per second; the Rebel can do 4 frames at 2.5 frames per second.
Of course the Rebel is lighter, so it is easier to carry around; the weight difference is noticable if you have a prime lens, once you add a larger zoom lens you may not notice the difference.
The logic in the original posting still makes sense, you can keep using good lenses for years (and cameras) to come, and the hack will enable more features in the 10D (and 20D), but you should be aware of he differences that the hack doesn't address.
Posted at 6:25AM on Dec 19th 2005 by David Sky