Comments on: Video – GPS Info

By: John

John — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:27:58 +0000

Is there a way to sync the GPS metadata to other photos? it isn’t listed separately and if I sync all metadata that doesn’t work either.

thanks

By: Chuck S.

Chuck S. — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:19:19 +0000

For those of us who aren’t Nikonians, there are standalone GPS gadgets that will record the lat-long information, then transfer that information to the EXIF data for the photos after download to your computer from both the camera and the GPS data logger. One such device is the Gisteq PhotoTrackr, about $80 from Adorama. The key is synchronizing the clocks of the PhotoTrackr and camera; once that’s done, the software can figure out which picture goes with which lat-long.

You can also use a standard handheld GPS receiver and capture the “track” information, then use any one of a number of software packages (including freeware) to transfer the EXIF data. Lots of fun; also has some business uses, e.g., in real estate.

Enjoy!

By: Wick

Wick — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:00:46 +0000

Unfortunately, Canon has been ignoring the whole GPS thing. I am one of those people for whom this would be interesting and useful. I do not always remember where I was when I took a photo, and often I want to remember.

Also, these units are really coming down in price. I use a unit for around $70 that saves the log data and then merges it in the computer with your photos. It’s an extra step and I would rather it happen automagically, but when I travel I do bring along the GPS.

As for GPS being a waste of time and money, I guess the same could be said about anything. As it is, EXIF data can tell you a lot of useful information about HOW you took a picture. Now it can tell you WHERE.

By: David

David — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:24:43 +0000

I agree, the hype is there and this isn’t something that Matt has forced us to purchase. I think you might have been grumpy when you wrote your post Greg, and that’s cool.

My need for this came up when I went to Greece and Italy a few years ago, took a lot of photos, then forgot where I was when taking them (what city etc.).

If you want a less expensive version, you can always just get a hand held GPS like a Garmin eTrex. I just turn it on and put it in my bag while I take photos, then later sync it up with a geotagging software. The battery lasts 16 hours, it picks up a great signal when in a bag even, and you can recharge it when you get home.

An added benefit is the GPS track it outputs of where you went. So if you ever forgot where you went, you can pull it up in Google Earth and it’s right there.

By: Matt Kloskowski

Matt Kloskowski — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 02:51:50 +0000

Greg and Irene – here’s the thing guys. I’m not creating hype. They hype is already there. Anyone who has been in a class where this was demo’d will tell you that.
All I did was show you what was possible based on my experience on the road teaching people. I neither a) forced anyone to like this feature or, b) forced you to take your credit card out and buy it.
It’s simple. If you don’t like it then speak with one of the loudest voices you have – your wallet – just don’t buy it.

By: IreneS

IreneS — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 02:30:28 +0000

Kevin,

Your reason for using the GPS feature is a good one and for you it makes sense to help you remember where a photo was taken.

Perhaps what GregB was asking about is the presentation by Matt and the hype – leading some users to purchase a piece of equipment that they may not really use.

By: Kevin Zdyb

Kevin Zdyb — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:22:10 +0000

Greg,
The reason that Matt spent time on it is because many people want more information about it. Your opinion that it is a waste of money and just a toy is irrelevant. A GOOD reason for me is that I cannot remember the location of every single photo that I take. The ability to embed the location of every photo I take as I press the shutter into the EXIF data without keywording is a VERY GOOD reason. I think that prior to software making use of the coordinates it was useless information, but now I can go into lightroom and it will take me to directly to Google maps. I can now reconstruct a whole trip by time & location.

By: GregB

GregB — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:46:12 +0000

Matt,

I have to ask – Why? This seems like such a waste of money for a toy with no practical reason to exist. Why would I ever need such information for photos I took? I know where I was.

Simply being able to have someone on a photo sharing site be able to look at a google map of where the photo was taken seems ridiculous. Can you give us a GOOD reason?

You may get lots of wows at your presentations, but the practicality is not there – is it? I would think you would stop hyping this as such a cool thing and having people spend money on these.

By: Davidg

Davidg — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:48:02 +0000

I have used a Geomet’r for the last year and found it lived up to it’s reputation of being a reliable GPS unit. Like everything that attaches to the 9 pin connector on the D300, it restricts what else can be plugged in at the same time. It also must be carefully handled when pulled in and out of a case if you leave it connected (not recommended). I recently returned from a trip to Baja and now know where most of my whales were photographed. I expect Nikon to build them in within the next few years unless their attached unit sells too well.

By: Stefan Segers

Stefan Segers — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:05:32 +0000

There are also a lot of apps for the iPhone that use GPS tracking. You can combine these with your photo’s and use them in Lightroom

More info on LightroomNews blog