Canon 40D GPS

[DigitalDawn]

I have a Canon 40D and I also have GPS on my Blackberry. Can I use my blackberry USB cable to get GPS information onto my Exif data?

Could you point me in the right direction for the complete instruction on how to make this work? I am open to purchasing a static GPS unit for my camera if need be, but noticed my manual was no help in this area.

Thanks in advance!

[Jon]

The 40D doesn't support GPS except with the wireless communications adapter. You'll find it less expensive to use a separate GPS and post-processing to merge the GPS log data into your EXIF.

[DigitalDawn]

The 40D doesn't support GPS except with the wireless communications adapter. You'll find it less expensive to use a separate GPS and post-processing to merge the GPS log data into your EXIF.

Yeah I saw the wireless adapter. WOW $800 smackers!
Will this wireless device they are talking about this thread work? :D

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=393419

Can you maybe also point me in the right direction for merging Exif data. I noticed sites such as smugmug include exif data on the site with photos, and I would love to incorporate this into my own web site that I am currently building.

I am extremely greatful for the assistance!

[Jon]

No - that's a wireless shutter release, all it'll do is trip the shutter.

Downloader Pro, for one, will merge data from a GPS track log to your photo's EXIF as you download, if your GPS lets you save and transfer track data. IIRC, Sony makes a GPS receiver that sits in your hot shoe and records a waypoint for each photo; you use the supplied software to merge the camera and GPS data.

[Greg_C]

I use Robogeo to add GPS to my EXIF

http://www.robogeo.com/home/

[DigitalDawn]

No - that's a wireless shutter release, all it'll do is trip the shutter.

Downloader Pro, for one, will merge data from a GPS track log to your photo's EXIF as you download, if your GPS lets you save and transfer track data. IIRC, Sony makes a GPS receiver that sits in your hot shoe and records a waypoint for each photo; you use the supplied software to merge the camera and GPS data.

Thanks a ton, if I understood you properly then I need to look into Downloader Pro to merge my GPS and Exif data. And I can also look into a Sony GPS reciever that sits on the hot shoe and can gather GPS information for merging.

Recievers, Wireless, and Merging OH MY! :shock:

Thanks Greg_C will look into this software as well.

Thanks a ton!

[runninmann]

Thanks a ton, if I understood you properly then I need to look into Downloader Pro to merge my GPS and Exif data. And I can also look into a Sony GPS reciever that sits on the hot shoe and can gather GPS information for merging.

Recievers, Wireless, and Merging OH MY! :shock:

Thanks Greg_C will look into this software as well.

Thanks a ton!You're not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy! :lol:

[DigitalDawn]

I found this web page very helpful when considering what the options are.

http://www.gps-practice-and-fun.com/gps-photography.html

[DigitalDawn]

Jobo photoGPS - Digital camera hot-shoe GPS system
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/13416/slr_camera_gps_system/

What I am getting from everything I have read...
This hot shoe GPS was announced by the German company Jobo in 2007 yet never launched.
It was re-introduced again at the electronic shows January 2008 and is said to be launched mid 2008 for $160.00.

In my opinion, this is the hottest little new product to watch for. :lol:

http://www.letsgodigital.org/images/artikelen/20/jobo_gps_camera_zoom1.jpg

http://www.letsgodigital.org/images/artikelen/20/jobo_gps_camera_zoom2.jpg

Just thought I would update my own thread with the information I am finding on this subject.
Or am I the only one currently obsessed with this? :lol:

[Greg_C]

Personally I'd rather have a handheld GPS unit attached to my belt. From my quick read on the Jobo it wakes and waypoints as it receives a signal via the hot shoe. I like to get the tracklog as well as the waypoints. The jobo looks to big for a bushwalk, I'd be worried I would knock it about too much.

[DigitalDawn]

Personally I'd rather have a handheld GPS unit attached to my belt. From my quick read on the Jobo it wakes and waypoints as it receives a signal via the hot shoe. I like to get the tracklog as well as the waypoints. The jobo looks to big for a bushwalk, I'd be worried I would knock it about too much.

I might have to agree with you about the concern with knocking it around. But just as with the camera itself, you have to take care to protect your gear whether its a flash or a GPS sitting up there right? I never walk through the thick brush without a lens hood and filters on my lenses, I walk into some heavy thorn brush at times. Not sure yet how I would handle trying to protect this gadget, but bet I could figure it out. Either way, for the tradeoff of less time in the digital darkroom processing files, I might have to side with the Jobo. And at such a reasonable price, this makes its even more interesting.

But really, what do I know, I am just a newbie who loves gadgets and hates long processing time! :lol:

[CoolToolGuy]

Certainly a camera that records the GPS as you take the image would be great, but we are not there yet. I got the Sony logger, but it requires you to pass the images through the Sony software - a small pain for me.

I just got the ATP photofinder, a GPS tagger that you can insert the card into:

http://www.adorama.com/ICDATPPF.html

It only has an SD card slot, but it has a USB port, so all you need is a CF reader for CF cards. I just got it, so I haven't had a chance to use it, but I think I like this better. With multiple cameras going, I can insert each card into it while I'm in the field.

Have Fun,

[DigitalDawn]

Okay so this sounds like a feasible resolution for now, since as you noted, the other option is not available right now. *cry* But when reading about it say's the following...

After you finish taking pictures, simply insert your SD, Memory Stick or MMC memory card into the Photo Finder's built-in card slot and the GPS data will be synchronized and added to all pictures on the card.

I am confused on how you are saying this will be accomplish seeing how I am shooting with a CF card on a 40D. I already have a CF reader. Actually my CF reader has a SD slot as well. Mind helping me understand the process better before I commit?

Thanks in advance,

[CoolToolGuy]

The device has an SD slot and a USB port. For CF cards you need a CF card reader with a USB port and you connect it to the device. Then insert the CF card into the device and it does its thing.

Hope that helps.

Have Fun,

[Wilt]

One nice feature of the Jobo is that the synchronization is simplified by the more finite number of positions captured, since the Jobo is triggered by the hotshoe. The other GPS units have to try to match time and date, and that means your camera time and date must be close to the GPS time and date or things go to Hell.

[DigitalDawn]

The device has an SD slot and a USB port. For CF cards you need a CF card reader with a USB port and you connect it to the device. Then insert the CF card into the device and it does its thing.

Hope that helps.

Have Fun,

Helps a ton, thanks for the details. May have to consider this route until the Jobo comes out.

One nice feature of the Jobo is that the synchronization is simplified by the more finite number of positions captured, since the Jobo is triggered by the hotshoe. The other GPS units have to try to match time and date, and that means your camera time and date must be close to the GPS time and date or things go to Hell.

I would think that somewhere there is information about what time zone the GPS sattelite is on right? But I would agree these would have to be synced in order for this to function properly. But thats still such a minimal sacrafice for so much convenience. I will without a doubt be keeping my eye out for the launch of this product.

[Wilt]

Helps a ton, thanks for the details. May have to consider this route until the Jobo comes out.



I would think that somewhere there is information about what time zone the GPS sattelite is on right? But I would agree these would have to be synced in order for this to function properly. But thats still such a minimal sacrafice for so much convenience. I will without a doubt be keeping my eye out for the launch of this product.

If the GPS says 12:01pm and the camera says it is 12:02pm, and you have taken several photos within 60 seconds of each other, but you are 1 mile farther down the road because you are travelling at 60mph at the time, your locations could well be stated wrongly.

[DigitalDawn]

OOPS DOUBLE POST: REMOVED

[DigitalDawn]

If the GPS says 12:01pm and the camera says it is 12:02pm, and you have taken several photos within 60 seconds of each other, but you are 1 mile farther down the road because you are travelling at 60mph at the time, your locations could well be stated wrongly.

OH! Now see thats no good! Not that I do any photographing running down the road at 60mph. But none the less, that is a perfect example of a very possible and feasible downfall.

I think for now I will just stick to using my phone to get the GPS for important noted spots. And then maybe soon they will release this Jobo or some other fantstic little gadget for gathering accurate GPS data per photo. It just seems this is all not really worth it unless you are doing say a "castle tour" type project or something like that.

You have been a great help, and brought up some great points. Thanks a Ton!

[DanteCaspian]

http://www.letsgodigital.org/images/artikelen/20/jobo_gps_camera_zoom1.jpg



That, to me, looks ridiculous.

[DigitalDawn]

http://www.letsgodigital.org/images/artikelen/20/jobo_gps_camera_zoom1.jpg

That, to me, looks ridiculous.

How so? I mean its not really any more combersome then a hot shoe flash sitting up there.
Plus come'on have you seen some of the DIY gear? If so then how can you call this rediculouse?
And for a mere $160.00 do you think anyone who needs or wants this is going to complain about looks?

[nadtz]

Syncing camera + GPS time is easy enough with a bit of savvy, a good handheld GPS generally outperforms the camera specific ones, and some of the newer ones can be had for about half the price of the jobo unit (though Id still like to see the unit actually released so someone can review it). Additionally if you happen to be using a flash you don't eat up the hotshoe.

Most of the geotagging software allows you to set an offset to account for time differences between GPS and camera making that a non issue. Even in the case of the sony unit you don't need to use the sony software if you want to tag raw files, though for around the same price better GPS units can be had.

So long as you can transfer the GPS log to your computer and its standard its mostly an issue of how many steps to merge the data rather than limitations of the data itself. A common trick is to take a picture of a unit that displays the time, or setting a point on a track while taking a picture which makes figuring out the offset elementary

[DigitalDawn]

Syncing camera + GPS time is easy enough with a bit of savvy, a good handheld GPS generally outperforms the camera specific ones, and some of the newer ones can be had for about half the price of the jobo unit (though Id still like to see the unit actually released so someone can review it). Additionally if you happen to be using a flash you don't eat up the hotshoe.

Most of the geotagging software allows you to set an offset to account for time differences between GPS and camera making that a non issue. Even in the case of the sony unit you don't need to use the sony software if you want to tag raw files, though for around the same price better GPS units can be had.

So long as you can transfer the GPS log to your computer and its standard its mostly an issue of how many steps to merge the data rather than limitations of the data itself. A common trick is to take a picture of a unit that displays the time, or setting a point on a track while taking a picture which makes figuring out the offset elementary

You hit the nail on the head, this will probably be one of the biggestest concerns for people.
If this device uses the hot shoe, what to do if you need to also use a flash?
Fantastic point there to seriously be concerned about and to consider.

I like the idea of taking a picture of the unit for tracking. I had actually considered doing this for other purposes to help me keep things organized. Including knowing which waterfall is which when shooting multiples in a day. Begin each shoot with a picture of the name.

Thanks, this has been helpful.