I have created a special version of CHDK for Canon S95 in a IkeLite housing. It is a “hack” and is not part of the normal CHDK distribution - use at your own risk.

You can use this thread on scubaboard.com to give feedback. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/canon-corner/357541-s95-canon-housing-problems-settings-manual-mode-2.html#post5995398

There are mainly three things I have tried to fix:

• To simulate the control wheel you must hold down S and press LEFT or RIGHT.

• Zoom in/out is difficult.

• It is not easy to feel when the shutter button is half pressed and often you end up doing a full press.

When CHDK is installed the S button has a new function. It changes between ALT and NORMAL mode. The ALT mode is a special mode, where new functions are available. I have changed the ALT mode so that:

• Pressing LEFT or RIGHT works the same as holding down S and pressing LEFT or RIGHT. So in order to simulate turning the rear wheel simply press S to enter ALT mode, then press LEFT or RIGHT as needed and finally press S to leave ALT mode. Notice that pressing the UP button display the current value of the parameter assigned to the rear wheel. The UP button works in NORMAL and ALT mode.

• Pressing SET or DOWN works the same as zoom in or out. So in order to zoom in or out press S to enter ALT mode, then press SET or DOWN as needed and finally press S to leave ALT mode. I have chosen the SET button in favor of the UP button because the UP button is not so easy to press in the IkeLite housing.

• As soon as the SHUTTER is half pressed the display is “cleared”. This gives a visual indication of the half shutter press and compensate for the lack of tactile feedback.

• The shutter button, zoom button, front wheel and rear wheel have their normal function ALT mode. Thus it is now possible to take pictures in ALT mode.

From version 0.2 the new behavior in ALT mode is optional and disabled by default. To enable the new behavior.

• Press S to enter ALT mode
• Press MENU to enter ALT mode menu
• Activate UW Housing Mode

Since I have changed the behavior of some buttons in ALT mode, there are some functions of CHDK that are not available anymore.

• It is not possible to execute scripts in UW Housing mode.

Currently it only works when CHDK auto boot (Card Lock Boot Method). First install the normal CHDK distribution on a SD-CARD and make it auto boot. Then install my hacked version. CHDK can do lots of things, so spend a little time getting familiar with all the features.

Information about CHDK:
http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK_for_Dummies

You can download CHDK here (remember to pick the correct firmware version!):
http://mighty-hoernsche.de/

You can download my modified CHDK here:
http://dejongh.dk/chdk/canon-s95-v0.3.zip

I have only tested with firmware E and K, but I think the other firmware versions will also work. And remember it only works with the Card Lock Boot Method at the moment!

• http://dejongh.dk/chdk/canon-s95-v0.1.zip
  • Initial version.
• http://dejongh.dk/chdk/canon-s95-v0.2.zip
  • Changed position of ALT mode indicator.
• http://dejongh.dk/chdk/canon-s95-v0.3.zip
  • Fixed manual focus in ALT mode. Some keys where not working as expected.

I prefer to change the default CHDK settings a bit. Here are my preferences:

• Disable : Show splash screen on load
• Disable : Show battery icon
• Disable : Show file space bar
• Disable : Show clock

• Set : Video Options → AF Key = Shutter

• I use two Sea&Sea YS-01 flash.
• When one flash is connected as slave to the other flash it seems that TTL is not working. I may attach both flash directly to the camera housing to see if that works.
• When using two flash, they do not always sync correctly. Experiment with the flash in front of a mirror to check flash sync.
  • Adjust flash sync…
• In order to get the correct exposure
  • Adjust the power of the flash(s)
  • Adjust shutter speed. Slow shutter speeds results in blurred photos.
  • Adjust ISO. High ISO add noise to the photos.
  • Adjust aperture. Low aperture values adds more light, but reduce focus range.

• In video mode exposure can be locked and adjusted. First press S to enter ALT mode, then press UP to lock exposure. Press LEFT or RIGHT to adjust exposure. Press UP to unlock exposure.

• Assign front wheel to Manual Focus.
• Use LEFT, RIGHT and UP in ALT mode to control shutter speed and aperture.
• Adjust aperture value
  • Use a low aperture value to create photos where the background is out of focus.
  • Use a low aperture value in low light situations and slow moving subjects.
  • Use a high aperture value to create photos where everything is in focus.
  • Use a high aperture value when there is a lot of light and fast moving subjects.
  • Use an aperture value around 3.5 as a starting point.
• Use a shutter speed to 1/125 or faster to avoid blur.
• Use an ISO value of 80, 100, 200, 400 to minimize noise.
• In low light conditions select higher ISO, and keep the shutter speed at 1/125 or faster. Noise is better than blur.
• If using an external flash remember to set the flash(s) to manual-mode no-pre-flash.

In this mode the camera may choose slow shutter speeds resulting in blurred photos. Select a high ISO value to avoid this.

• Assign front wheel to Manual Focus.
• Use an ISO value of 80, 100, 200, 400 to minimize noise. Or choose AUTO, but set max ISO in AUTO mode to 400.
• Use LEFT, RIGHT and UP in ALT mode to control aperture and exposure compensation.
• If using an external flash remember to set the flash to TTL-mode.

In this mode the camera choose aperture for you. If the camera choose a very low aperture mode the focus depth will be quite narrow you foreground be “out of focus”.

• Assign front wheel to Manual Focus.
• Use an ISO value of 80, 100, 200, 400 to minimize noise. Or choose AUTO, but set max ISO in AUTO mode to 400.
• Use LEFT, RIGHT and UP in ALT mode to control shutter speed and exposure compensation.
• If using an external flash remember to set the flash to TTL-mode.

I have used Canon S95 for most of these photos: http://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=787534759

A video I made using Canon S95: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nrhF2oDuT0

My camera gear list.

• Canon S95
  • Customized CHDK firmware.
• IkeLite Housing
  • Customized “tips” for most buttons.
• Ikelite Tray with Dual Release Handles
  • With custom made Sea&Sea Ball with Short Length Stem.
• Two Sea&Sea YS-01
  • Sea&Sea SEA ARM 7
  • Sea&Sea Fiber-Optic Cable (L-type)
• Dyron Double Macro Lens M67 - Screw on macro lens
• INON UWL-H100 28M67 Type2 - Screw on wide angle lens
  • INON Lens Hood UWL-H100 28AD