Question HTC Camera Question - DEVS OR EXPERIANCED ONLY PLS

Okay just read about 15 pages of things - so from what I understand the camera API is either not public at present or if an older one exists compatibility is limited!

My first question do all carriers telcos regardless of ROM use more or less the same camera app?

My second question - for the following devices:

Touch HD
Diamond
Diamond 2
Touch Pro
Touch Pro 2
Touch 3G
Touch Cruise

Would it be possible to capture a key press or hardware button press and as the cam takes the pic and/or before the shutter goes send a simple command via the ext USB to a docked device?

I ask as I have no dev skills and by that I mean with WinMo as I am a web designer.

How much time and how much of a challenge would this be - if somebody could pull this off or could point me in the right direction pls PM me to start discussion.
HTC Blackstone - now I can truly say an amazing WM device! If we somehow get properly optimised video drivers then even better.

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CutePinkSocks

My Devices:

HTC Blackstone (In use)
HTC P3700 - HTC Touch Diamond (In use)
HTC P3600 - Black HTC Trinity (Dead and buried)
Toshiba Portege G900 '800X480' Display - big as fcuk and ugly! - (Murdered)
XDA - Exec - (Dead and buried)
XD2i - (Retired)
XDA - (Retired)