GPS for photography

• see also:

  • GPS devices

  • Canon

  • Nikon

Introduction:

• the ability to embed GPS location data into the EXIF data of image files can be very useful.

• this can be done at the time the image is taken by certain cameras or once the images are downloaded onto a computer.

• the main problem with connecting a GPS device to your camera is the problem of more cables to deal with - unless the GPS is built into the camera or via Bluetooth, then the delayed method is probably better, although more time consuming.

Cameras which allow GPS data to be embedded into image files in camera:

• Nikon F mount cameras:

  • Nikon D2X, D2Xs, D2Hs, D200, D300, D3x and the Fuji S5 Pro

  • requires a USB GPS device

• Canon dSLRs:

  • Canon 40D with the optional wireless adapter 

    • requires a USB GPS device

  • Canon 1D Mark III with the optional wireless adapter WFT-E2A (?$A2099)

    • requires a USB GPS device

  • Canon 1Ds Mark III with the optional wireless adapter 

    • requires a USB GPS device

• Ricoh 500SE & Pro G3

  • detachable GPS modules

Solutions which record GPS data into images on memory cards without need for a computer:

• ATP Photo Finder:

  • announced Jan 2008

  • http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08011601photofinder.asp 

  • just ensure camera's clock is in sync with this GPS device & turn it on.

  • its 128Mb of flash memory can record 550hrs of GPS tracking data

  • then just attach memory card with images to it via inbuilt card reader or its USB port & it will automatically embed GPS data in the image EXIF metadata.

Solutions for recording GPS data in images once loaded onto a computer:

• Sony CS:

  • compact, runs for ~14hrs on 2 AA batteries

  • ensure the clock on your camera is set to nearest minute

  • turn it on at start of session and off at end of session

  • after images from your camera have been downloaded on computer, connect the unit to your computer and the supplied software will match the date of your image to the location stored for that time.

  • unfortunately, uses a proprietary file format to store locations which is not compatible with other software such as ROBOgeo.

• ROBOgeo software:

  •  works with standard GPS devices which create GPS tracking logs to insert GPS data into JPEG files.

• Houdahgeo software:

  • MacOS only.

  • works with standard GPS devices which create GPS tracking logs to insert GPS data into RAW or JPEG files.

  • see http://www.fourthirdsphoto.com/blog/?p=116

  • and http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjournal/2007/11/geocoding_your_photos_with_lig.html

• http://www.geosetter.de:80/en/

  • freeware