Nikon D5000 Firmware Update Hack
It's no secret that you can hack Canon cameras firmware with 3rd party hackers like Magic Lantern to push higher dynamic range and bitrate. NikonHacker Brings Magic-Lantern-Style Firmware.
Dunno if you guys know about it, but some time ago some guys managed to decrypt Nikon firmwares (D3100, D5100 and D7000, IIRC) and started working towards understanding the code, what does what, where things go, etc. So they can implement all those neat features we all want (like manual video controls, live exposure view, etc). They didn't go too far yet, there's a lot of work to be done, big stuff like adding features takes time and a deep understanding of the workings of the cameras. It will take time, like, a lot of time: two years maybe. They're very understaffed too, what makes things even harder. They managed, though, to implement a small change that actually works and makes some difference: they removed time caps on video making for the D3100 and the D5100 (as of now, they already know how to do it in the D7000).
Theoretically, you could make videos as long as you want now (not in practice, though, as file sizes are another cap). You can read more about it here: and here. Barry Fitzgerald wrote: A lot of potential with this esp removing the firmware crippling/limitations that Nikon have on some models. Yeah, there's a lot of potential, indeed. The D7000 and the D5100 share most of the hardware (like 98%) and their firmwares are very similar, so it's speculated that lots of features present on the D7000 will be easy to port over to the D5100 once everything is understood.
Stuff like AF Fine Tuning, wider bracketing range, etc. And that's not even talking about some things that aren't present (or are present but poorly implemented). BUT it's kinda sad to have to hack the camera when Nikon should be putting more effort in. It might teach them a lesson, I remember the Canon 300d had some silly firmware crippling and limitations and the camera was extensively hacked. It forced a turn around from Canon with subsequent models. Let's hope this sends a warning shot over Nikon HQ Sadly that's how things work on the corporate world as a whole. Planned obsolecence, mindless crippling of features, firmware updates that don't add functions, just fix stuff.
You see few brands actually supporting their products after they're realeased, so the community has to take matters on their own hands. At least we can do it now, though. 3dmus wrote: Great to see there's progress there. This particular one is not of great interest to me, but hopefully it will pave the way for other improvements (aperture change whilst in live view on the D7000!!) I don't think we'll ever see Aperture Change in LiveView, though. Someone who had a good look at the hardware of the D7000 said it is physically unable to do it - the same motor that drives the aperture is used to flip the mirror. The new bodies corrected it by having separate motors. What might be possible is some way to quickly flip the mirror up and down to change the Aperture without getting out of LV.
Not perfect, but it's something. If they add Exposure Meter and (correct) Exposure preview in LV I'll be happy, already. AluKd wrote: Dunno if you guys know about it, but some time ago some guys managed to decrypt Nikon firmwares (D3100, D5100 and D7000, IIRC) and started working towards understanding the code, what does what, where things go, etc. So they can implement all those neat features we all want (like manual video controls, live exposure view, etc). They didn't go too far yet, there's a lot of work to be done, big stuff like adding features takes time and a deep understanding of the workings of the cameras. Half life 1 client dll file. It will take time, like, a lot of time: two years maybe.
They're very understaffed too, what makes things even harder. They managed, though, to implement a small change that actually works and makes some difference: they removed time caps on video making for the D3100 and the D5100 (as of now, they already know how to do it in the D7000). Theoretically, you could make videos as long as you want now (not in practice, though, as file sizes are another cap). You can read more about it here: and here: Just don't forget to put some ice on the sensor before you start the hour-long video sessions. -- D5000 - Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm F/3.5-5.6G ED VR - Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4 G - Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm VR - Canon PowerShot S95 - Canon PowerShot S3. Ah, wasn't aware of that. What a shame.