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The HP 618 is a 2 megapixel camera with a 3x optical zoom. For complete specs, check out
the Specs page.
NOTE: This camera is 100% identical to the Pentax EI-200. It was
developed as a joint-effort between HP and Pentax.
Photos
Here are a few sample photos taken with the HP618
More photos are can be seen at PBase.
Digita Scripting
One detail that makes the HP 618 fairly unique is that it runs the "Digita" operating system. This allows
the camera to run custom applications and scripts that can automate and control the camera in ways not possible
on other digital cameras. For more information about the Digita Operating System, visit MY
Digita website.
Here are several useful scripts for the HP-618 and Pentax EI-200. To save these scripts on your
hard-drive, right click on the links, and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" from the menu.
To use these scripts (or any Digita scripts), you create a "SYSTEM" folder on the CompactFlash card, and copy
the scripts (.CSM files) into that directory. The scripts will then appear as new options
on the camera menus.
- CEVBRACK.CSM
Chuck's EV Bracketing v1
Last Updated 11/15/2001
MODE: Capture Mode
MENU: Capture Settings
OPTION: EV Bracket pic
Automates the task of bracketing. Bracketing is the process of taking a series of pictures, using the same
composition and conditions, and slightly varying the in-camera exposure settings. One picture is
taken at the current camera settings, then one is taken slightly under-exposed, and another is taken slightly
over-exposed.
When you run the script, you will be shown a list of bracket step sizes.
The amount you choose is the amount by which the script will adjust the EV Compensation setting. For example, if
the camera is set up in the default with EV Comp set to zero, and you choose "1/3", then you will get three
pictures taken at EV=0, EV=-1/3, EV=+1/3. If you choose "1" then you will get pictures taken at EV=0, EV=-1, EV=+1.
If you alter the EV Compensation value before starting this script, then the bracket will use your altered
setting as the "normal". This means if you set the EV Compensation value to -1, and selected a bracket step
size of "1/2" then you would get pictures taken at EV=-1, EV=-1.5, EV=-.5
To use, you set the camera up as you wish. Then instead of just taking the picture, you go to the
"EV Bracket pic" option on the Capture Settings menu. You will then select the bracket step size from
the menu. The script will then show "Normal Exposure" on
the top line of the overlay. At that point, frame your picture, and press the shutter release to take
the first shot. Then the overlay will show "-1 Exposure". Now you frame your picture and press the
shutter release to take the second "underexposed" shot. Then the overlay will show "+1 Exposure". Now
frame the picture and press the shutter release to take the third "overexposed" shot. The three shots
will be stored and named as usual on the compactflash card.
At some point in the future, I intend to make the script alter the file naming so it is more
obvious which pictures are part of a bracket set. I also am working on bracket scripts that
will allow you to choose which camera control is altered for the bracket (for example, allowing
you to force the camera to use 3 different shutter speeds, or 3 different apertures. For now,
the script simply alters the EV Compensation, and the camera decides how to adjust the
exposure.
- CSVSET.CSM
Chuck's SaveSettings v1.04
Last Updated 11/15/2001
MODE: Capture Mode
MENU: Custom menu : Save / Restore
OPTION: Manage Setups
Saves the camera settings that are lost when the camera is turned off. Script will either
save them to a startup script that will run when the camera is turned on, or it will save
them to one of 5 "quick-save" menu items that can be run manually. Also includes simple
file-management for erasing the "startup" script or "quick-save" script files.
NEW! You can now assign descriptive names to your "quick-save" configuations,
to help remembering what each configuration is for!
Simple usage instructions: I've gotten some emails wondering how to actually use this script.
Here's the quick instructions:
- Setup camera settings however you wish to save them
- Select either "Save Default Settings" which will then restore the current settings
whenever you power on the camera, or select "Save Quick-Setup" which will save the current settings
into a script that can be run by selecting the settings name from the "Save / Restore" menu.
When you save the settings, the new menu option to restore the settings will not appear
until the camera has been turned off and back on.
If you decide you want to remove your "default" setup, you can select "clear default script"
from the "Save / Restore" menu.
- FLSHCTRL.CSM
Flash Control v1.0a
Last Updated 10/24/2001
MODE: Capture Mode
MENU: Capture Settings
OPTION: Flash Control
Provides 100% control over flash settings from the menu. Allows setting Flash mode (Auto, Force, Night, Off),
Red Eye (On or Off), and Flash Brightness.
While all flash mode and redeye can be adjusted from the top LCD buttons, the LCD is impossible to read in very dark conditions. This script can be used to view the
flash settings, and set them from the menus. This script also provides allows adjusting of the Flash Squelch setting which isn't
accessable on any of the default menus.
- PICINFO.CSM
PicInfo v1.5
Last Updated 10/20/2001
MODE: Review Mode
MENU: Custom menu : EXIF DATA
OPTION: Write TXT Files
Writes EXIF data into text files on the camera. A seperate file is produced
for each image file. The file names are the same as the image names, except they
have a .TXT extension.
For .JPEG images, this info is already available inside the JPEG file via programs
which know how to read the EXIF data. But, this script will also save the data
for TIFF files, which do not contain EXIF fields.
This appears on it's own menu "EXIF DATA" when the camera is in "REVIEW" mode.
NOTE: This script has been tested on an HP618, but should be compatible with any
camera that supports Digita Script v1.5.
- FLASH2.CSM
Flash Squelch v2.0
Last Updated 10/17/2001
MODE: Capture Mode
MENU: Capture Settings
OPTION: Flash v2
New and improved version of R. Hebb's Flash Squelch script. Simpler user interface, and it now
allows the user to brighten or dim the flash.
This is a simple script that provides access to just the Flash Squech settings, compared to
Flash Control v1.0 (above) that provides access to ALL flash functions.
- EV_QUICKSET.CSM EV Quick set v1.10
MODE: Capture Mode
MENU: Photo Assist
OPTION: EV Comp2
Script by Phil Katz, allows the user to quickly adjust the EV Compentation in
increments of just 0.1, instead of the camera's option of 0.5. Gives the user much finer
control.
Got an idea for a useful script? Let me know, and I'll see
what I can whip up.
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