[scottburgess]

Hi folks,



Does anyone out there have experience using a GPS system to add coordinates to EXIF data for images as they are being shot? I am curious about several things, since I frequently photograph in remote locations. 1) Is it useful for you, or just a pain-in-the-neck? 2) What tie-in products are available for Canon EOS, and which camera ports do they tie in through? (Does using a GPS system preclude an electronic remote release, for example?) 3) How clumsy are the set-ups you've tried in the field? Too many cords, plugging and unplugging...? 4) If a camera battery grip also had the GPS built in but cost as much as a regular extended grip + GPS, would you be interested in it as a product?



Thanks in advance for responses.



Scott

[wim]

Hi Scott,

[quote name='Scott - California' date='04 July 2010 - 10:50 AM' timestamp='1278233410' post='819']

Hi folks,



Does anyone out there have experience using a GPS system to add coordinates to EXIF data for images as they are being shot? I am curious about several things, since I frequently photograph in remote locations. 1) Is it useful for you, or just a pain-in-the-neck? [/quote]

I use my PDA with GPS to record positions, and that basically because it took me several tries and a lot of searching to find back a great spot for photography.

Is it a pain in the neck? No, but I doubt its usefulness, for myself anyway. Why would one really want to record a specific position, other than for showing, e.g., a holiday itinerary and accompanying photographs of the surrounding?

Or is it just another gadget to have?



Both are equally valid reasons to own and use one, but if one doesn't have a specific need, why bother?

2) What tie-in products are available for Canon EOS, and which camera ports do they tie in through? (Does using a GPS system preclude an electronic remote release, for example?)

Not too many. You may have to build your own. Generally, you need a WiFi transmitter, and then possibly need to add on some components, like this guy did:

[url="http://www.sjphoto.com/gps-canon.html"]http://www.sjphoto.com/gps-canon.html[/url]



These WiFi transmitters for Canon aren't really cheap either, so unless you are a professional who really needs one, and has the camera or cameras to go with this, this is not really a viable option IMO.



BTW, here is the Canon link with video:

[url="http://www.canon.co.jp/imaging/wft/wft-e2/manual/gps/index.html"]http://www.canon.co.jp/imaging/wft/wft-e2/manual/gps/index.html[/url]

3) How clumsy are the set-ups you've tried in the field? Too many cords, plugging and unplugging...?

The small systems are fine, as are PDAs. However, you need to be careful with the software that comes with the small, dedicated units. These don't always do work extremely well. Best to do some googling on any you'd want to buy. I do know a few guys who use these, in combination with several cameras. No cables required, except when joining up your photo exifs with the recorded data, on a computer that is.



The people I know who use these things, specifically recommend the iGotU, as ti is cheap, light, and the software works well with PCs and Mac alike. There are probably others out there which are just as good, however.



These all work well in combination with laptops, netbooks, and desk PCs and/or Macs, generally speaking, and I am sure there also are drivers available for Linux systems if required. Interfacing directly to the camera they don't, as far as I am aware.

4) If a camera battery grip also had the GPS built in but cost as much as a regular extended grip + GPS, would you be interested in it as a product?

Personally, I am not right now, as I don't have a use for it currently, although I can see the advantages over a dedicated unit. However, the BG would need to interface to the camera electronics, IOW, it would require a redesigg of the connectors of the in-camera battery housing, or an extra connector plus firmware to match for, e.g, the mini-USB connector (which is a two-way system after all).

Thanks in advance for responses.



Scott

HTH, kind regards, Wim

[Guest]

[quote name='Scott - California' date='04 July 2010 - 10:50 AM' timestamp='1278233410' post='819']

Hi folks,



Does anyone out there have experience using a GPS system to add coordinates to EXIF data for images as they are being shot? I am curious about several things, since I frequently photograph in remote locations. 1) Is it useful for you, or just a pain-in-the-neck? 2) What tie-in products are available for Canon EOS, and which camera ports do they tie in through? (Does using a GPS system preclude an electronic remote release, for example?) 3) How clumsy are the set-ups you've tried in the field? Too many cords, plugging and unplugging...? 4) If a camera battery grip also had the GPS built in but cost as much as a regular extended grip + GPS, would you be interested in it as a product?



Thanks in advance for responses.



Scott

[/quote]



Perhaps a different thought. In a number of P&S cameras you have now GPS incorporated. So, it invariably will come to dSLR, perhaps you just can hold out.

On the other hand, most things available for dSLRs are still sort of clumsy, extra add-ons.

How about taking a small camera, such as the Sony HX5 or a similar (panasonic, samsung??) along, shoot a couple of sample pictures with GPS data for the record, and have a little backup camera at the same time?

[Sibbi]

Hi,



this is how I do it...



1. I use an ordinary GPS unit like the Garmin Oregon:

http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/onthetrail/



2. Synchronize the time of the GPS unit with the clock of my camera:



3. And finally transfer the images from the camera and the logs from the GPS unit to Geosetter (Freeware): http://www.geosetter.de/en/



This is quite easy and has lot's of advantages over an build in solution:



- better battery life

- works with EVERY camera (very interesting when you use two systems in parallel)

- you have the whole track and not just the position of the images

- you have a GPS unit for navigation <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



If you have further questions please don't hesitate to ask...



Bye Sebastian

[scottburgess]

[quote name='Sebastian' date='05 July 2010 - 01:20 AM' timestamp='1278318041' post='827']

Hi,



this is how I do it...

[/quote]



Oh, very interesting, Sebastian! Thanks for the post. My wife and I shoot together, so this has many practical advantages for us. Will definitely consider this...