Many small form factor cameras such as the IXUS/SD series only have one real aperture setting, and that is f/2.8 at wide-angle.
The lens in all point and shoot cameras (and some D/SLR zoom lenses) have a variable maximum aperture (lowest f number), which means if a camera manufacturer lists the camera with the following zoom specs 6.2 - 18.6mm and aperture f/2.8 - 4.9. In this case the maximum aperture will be f/2.8 when the camera is at wide-angle (6.2mm) and increase as you zoom until you reach the telephoto setting (18.6mm) to an f-stop maximum value of f/4.9.
Which is why you may get different aperture values when zoomed in or not on these cameras despite having a single fixed aperture.
How the ND filter in these cameras work
When your camera detects a really bright scene, it'll swing the ND filter in. This in effect makes the scene look darker and will effect the exposure (but not depth of field like a real aperture would).
With the ND filter in, the camera can select a slower shutter speed without over-exposing the entire scene. Also, with the ND filter swung in, the camera will capture an image with an aperture of f/8 - This is a fake aperture value caused by the ND filter swinging in.
With CHDK, you can keep the ND filter out, and just select a faster shutter speed to compensate. In CHDK, you can perform this operation by going to:
Extra Photo Operations -> ND filter state
Just select one of the options from there: Off/In/Out
- 'Off' means the camera is in control of the ND filter state.
- 'In' means the ND filter is swung in.
- 'Out' means the ND filter is not in.
Note: Not all cameras have an ND filter. I know that the IXUS 70 (SD1000), IXUS 80 IS (SD1100), IXUS 800 (SD700), IXUS 860 (SD870) and many other similar models have them in place of a real aperture.
Resources
A disassembled IXUS800 (SD700) with photos of lens and ND Filter - http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php/topic,548.0.html
External Resources
- Learn more about Neutral density filters - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ND_filter
- Learn more about Minimum/Maximum Apertures - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aperture#Maximum_and_minimum_apertures
- Understanding Camera Lenses - http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-lenses.htm