Aftermarket iPhones and Canon camera software for scientific applications

Sometimes it’s possible to use aftermarket software (or firmware) to make consumer products function for lab applications. In this post, I’ll cover some software for iOS cameras and Canon cameras that add functions useful for scientific applications.

There are a bunch of apps for iOS devices with cameras that add some useful features.

An app for uncompressed, raw image data

An app for time lapse

An app for ,otion-triggered imaging

CHDK is an open source software package that can be installed on Canon digital cameras to enable a whole suite of new features including:

  • Remote control
  • Time lapse
  • High dynamic range scripting
  • Motion detection/triggering
  • It’s non-destructive. You can install the CHDK software (easy!) and then go back to the factory setting (also easy!).