Nikon firmware decrypted

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dfreerider

Well-known member
I know this has been mentioned in a previous thread, but I think it does deserve its own thread.

Simeon Pilgrim has managed to decrypt the firmware used by most of Nikons newer DSLR cameras, including the D7000 and D5100.

http://simeonpilgrim.com/blog/2011/11/07/how-to-decode-the-nikon-dslr-firmware/

Vitaliy Kiselev, the developer behind the Panasonic GH-13 and GH-2 hacks, has a thread on this at his page here
http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1494/nikon-firmware-is-decrypted-my-tool-inside

This does not mean that there will be a custom firmware for our Nikon cameras, but it makes it at least possible.
There aren't a lot of people around capable of reverse engineering and producing such a firmware, but I sure hope one of them owns a Nikon and takes an interest.
 
Oh! Where is Vitaly when we need him?! Lol! Total manual controls on video mode would be the bomb on the D5100. Wishing upon a star!
 
Enabling manual video controls on the D5100 won’t do much good if there’s no reliable way to judge the exposure you’re setting. Since the camera lacks a Live View histogram, you need to either rely on auto-ISO to set exposure or eyeball the light levels shown on the LCD. Unfortunately, when the D5100 is in Manual exposure mode, the LCD does not accurately display the exposure level in Live View mode. A fully manual video patch would need to patch the Manual mode Live View display as well.
 
Enabling manual video controls on the D5100 won’t do much good if there’s no reliable way to judge the exposure you’re setting. Since the camera lacks a Live View histogram, you need to either rely on auto-ISO to set exposure or eyeball the light levels shown on the LCD. Unfortunately, when the D5100 is in Manual exposure mode, the LCD does not accurately display the exposure level in Live View mode. A fully manual video patch would need to patch the Manual mode Live View display as well.
Click to expand...

How does the D7000 work in that regard? Because if it works properly I am sure the D5100 should work as well. If Nikon crippled it on purpose in the D5100 that is a very naughty thing to do on their part! Lol!
 
Live View in Manual exposure mode works differently on the D5100 than on the D7000. With both cameras, Live View displays accurate exposure levels on the LCD in P, A, and S exposure modes. The D7000 also does this in Manual exposure mode, but the D5100 shows auto-exposed levels in Manual mode. Nikon probably felt this was a more consumer-friendly way for the camera to operate.

The fact is that Manual mode is not all that useful on the D7000 either. Lacking a Live View histogram, setting correct exposure is really a hit or miss proposition. In my view, Nikon cameras are best used in auto-ISO mode, regardless of whether you select P, A, S, or M exposure modes. Given the option to preset the maximum ISO level, there's really no practical need to fuss with ISO settings yourself.

Once you understand the camera's semi-manual approach to exposure, the missing manual controls are no longer an obstacle. Here's how you can preset the aperture and shutter speed you want the camera to use in video mode:

In the ISO Sensitivity Settings sub-menu:

Auto ISO Sensitivity Control: ON
ISO Sensitivity: 100 (set to lowest ISO you want the camera to use)
Maximum Sensitivity: 3200 (set to max ISO you want the camera to use)
Minimum Shutter Speed: 1/60 (preset to your desired shutter speed)

The twist here is that you use Minimum Shutter Speed to manually preset the video shutter speed you want the camera to use. Since I always shoot video at 1/60 second, I've only needed to set this once. The camera then uses its light meter to automatically set exposure with an ISO between the (minimum) ISO Sensitivity and Maximum Sensitivity presets.

However, if the required ISO for a scene lies outside your preset ISO range, the camera will override your Minimum Shutter Speed preset. In lighting conditions where the shutter speed drops too low, I use the Exposure Compensation button to lower exposure until the shutter speed is boosted back up to my preset speed. Once all settings look good, I use the Exposure Lock button to keep the exposure fixed while filming.

While this may sound convoluted, it gives you more convenient control over exposure than Manual mode would. Here's how you use it in practice:

1. Set your desired aperture in Aperture Priority mode.
2. If you prefer, adjust focus in the viewfinder.
3. Enter Live View mode and confirm focus.
4. If needed, use Exposure Compensation to set desired shutter speed.
5. Press Exposure Lock button.
6. Press Video Record button to start filming.
 
Thanks lpowell. I've read your info before I got my cam and set it likewise since I got it. I am talking about manual exposure settings like the GH2, that you can change even while recording. That is one of the reasons I love my GH1 and soon to buy GH2. That change would make the D5100 much better to me.
 
Nikon V1 hack

Nikon V1 hack

Does this mean that it'll be possible to hack the Nikon V1 as well?
 
Bit-rate and frame rates are all good with me... Hackers can start with an on-screen audio levels meter and maybe a live histogram...
 
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