Exif data and GPS data.

Hello Reader,

I have a camera, also I have a GPS device (Garmin eTrex Vista). With the
available software I can extract data from the GPS device, for example I can
make the format *.gpx (GPs eXchange format). Other formats can also be
created.

Is there software which can get the data from the *.gpx file (or one of the
other format's) and insert it into the Exif data (and keeping the other exif
data intact). This should offcourse happen according the the logged times.

(I am aware that there are dedicated 'dongles' to collect the gps data and
with the additional software this data can be used in the exif files. But
the function of this is not worth the extra cost of this, and you have an
extra device, where I am allready carying a GPS device).

Thanks for your time and attention.
Ben Brugman.

 

As you mention -- there are specific devices for this function.

The one that is most interesting (to me anyway) is the Sony GPS-CS1.
device: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0608/06080202sonygpscs1.asp .

What it does is record position and real time every 15 seconds for up to 30
hours and then with PC software coordinates the position recorded with the
time pictures are taken and adds EXIF geo tagging meta date to the picture.
It seems the Sony supplied software only works with Sony camera though(at
least nominally -- I haven't seen any information that indicates it has
been adapted for other cameras but it seems like it should be possible).

I assume this is what you are thinking could happen with your Garmin
device? Will it record and create a downloadable trail like this? How much
data would 30 hours of points every 15 seconds be in gpx format? Can your
device keep that amount of tracking? Maybe the Sony device already uses
this format. There seems to be no information on its data format and I
haven't actually seen a device or its output to know what the format is
(but knowing Sony it is probably some proprietary format).

I haven't seen any mention of anything (even a mashup of various devices
and software) that does specifically provides this "automatic" geo tagging
though (other than the Sony device which costs $125 or so and another
$500++ device that attaches to the camera and coordinates the recording of
position with the picture taking).

Another mechanism for geo tagging pictures is via Picasa, Google Earth
combo. Flickr (and other online picture services I assume) also have
mechanisms for geo tagging but these involve remembering where the picture
was taken after the fact.


(Some poking around reveals this site:
http://triptracker.net/ -- maybe it does soemthing close to what you want?

also this software:
Robogeo
http://www.robogeo.com seems to do what you want)

 

I found several utilities a year or two ago, but one issue at that time
was they would modify the jpeg header to put the GPS info in it then
recompress the image itself. I did ask one of the authors about just
modifying the header without recompressing the image and he said
he was looking into it. They are out there, but you might want to
check on the re-compression issue. I have not looked recently
so I don't know if they addressed that issue. You do have to make
sure your camera clock is set correctly though

mikey

 

Sigh -- must get coffee ... must get coffee ...
Forgot - here is one that I am aware of
http://www.robogeo.com/home/
One of the key words for a google search is "georeferencing"
or "geocoding".

mikey

 

You don't say what platform you are on, and I can't tell from your
headers, so I'll give you my (the Mac) option, which workes absolutely
wonderfully for me to do exactly that: GPSPhotolinker.
<http://oregonstate.edu/~earlyj/gpsphotolinker/>

This is the only one I found works 100% of the time, and it does it
from a GUI rather than a command line interface. It only increses my
workflow by a couple of steps - instead of pulling the photos directly
off of the card and into Aperture, I pull them all onto the HD first (I
don't really have to do this, it's just faster than using GPSPL over a
USB connection on the original card). I then connect my GPS unit
(Garmin 60CSX) and it downloads the track data directly and saves it to
your disk [you can have any number of track files, and toggle them on
or off for access], and you can either manually or batch apply the GPS
data to your photo(s). Manual allows you to pick the track point for
each one, batch will do the whole folder based upon matching criteria
you set up (time or distance from two points, nearest point, time
weighted average of points, etc). Typically for me, it does about 100
photos/minute. Once that's done, I import into Aperture as normal.

Interface is clean and easy to use. Best of all, it's /freeware/ - but
send a donation to the author anyway (I did, there's a donation button
on the "About" screen), it's a highly useful utility. For a sample of
GPS linked photo data, see <http://www.nwconcessions.com/sunset>

Sorry, I'm not familiar with any Win versions of similar software.

--
You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a
reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating
the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for
independence.
-- Charles A. Beard

 

IIRC, you have a D80 and not a D200, correct? So you can't simply connect
your GPS to the camera?

 

Thanks all for your time and attention.

Mike Fields and Brian Sullivan came with a site, a program exactly providing
what I requested.

Some questions where raised :
The Garmin Vista can record 10000 logpoints. But I have to check how
much time is between the logpoints. The Vista can be turned off so does not
record any points then. So effectively I estimate that the vista can be used
up to several longs days before the log track becomes filles.
(Saving a log track as a sepparate track is also possible, but then some
data
is discarded, and I think that the timestamps are lost during the saving.)
The Sony can record 30 hours one log for every 15 seconds. This is 7200
logpoints. My guestimate is that the Vista will last longer than the Sony.
(Can the Sony be switched off, does is stop recording when staying in one
place ?).

---- modifying the header without recompressing
From the site I do know understand that this has been implemented.

---- You do have to make sure your camera clock is set correctly though
As always this is a good idee, but takes some disipline. For GPS data this
is very essential. But having two (or more) camera's synchronised exactly,
makes it
easier to compare pictures an certainly to order pictures of dynamic events.

Ken Lucke thanks for the addition of including a Mac anwser, allthough I
myself
use Windows, I know it is always difficult to get similar software for the
Mac.
So thanks for your addition.

----IIRC, you have a D80 and not a D200, correct? So you can't simply
connect
your GPS to the camera?

No my 'main' camera is a D70, but I shoot with a pocket as wel. Even if the
camera has a connection. The vista only has an RS232 connection and it's
unlikely that it will iterface with other products. (For the Mac an
interface
has been announced, but I haven's seen it, for other producs I do not think
the Vista will interface.) More modern GPS from Garmin I think use more
open and modern interfaces. (Bleu Tooth would be nice, but that's the next
generation I assume).

Everybody thanks for your time and attention.
For the future I am going to sync the clock of the camera more often, and
until
I get the software will keep a *.gpx file of the tracklog with the pictures.
So even
if I am not now adding the gps data to the exif file, I'll keep this
possible in the
future. Thanks for all your advises.

Question, does anybody know how the Sony (camera) GPS devise performs in the
field. (The Vista for example can loose the 'signal' or become less
accurate, depending
how you hold the device or the surrounding. The Vista on a neckstrap against
your
body is not the best configuration, urban area's can be a problem and
foilage can be
a problem. How does the Sony cope under these circumstances ?)

Thanks
Ben

 

Usually, it's not simply time, it's distance and/or time, with the time
interval getting larger as you slow down.

My program noted in its documentation that this _sometimes_ happens
with _some_ models from _some_ manufacturers... so I'd test yours to
make sure - yours may not actually do this. I've always just d/l'd the
data directly using the program, so I have't followed my own advice
here for my unit.

My Garmin 60CSX only records points while moving - of course, sometimes
all GPS units "think" that they are moving even when standing still,
due to a little drift in their accuracy/satellite lock, but I can leave
mine on for days and still only have one track (not full). But usually
track data becomes much more "sparse" when units are not moving.

See the points below about buying the Sony with built-in GPS.

I don't remember what camera you said you were using, but Canon's
utility that comes with their DSLRs allows you to sync it to your
computer's clock, which of course you should have set up for syncing
with NIST via the internet or modem. Look for something in your
software (Nikon?) similar. The GPS, of course, syncs up when it
acquires satellites.

It was to help other Mac users as well, but gives you an idea of what's
capable of being done.

Ah, there's your model - check with any utility software that came with
it to see if you can sync it with your computer.

This is actually typical - even dense trees can sometimes cause a GPS
unit to lose lock on the satellites, as they are low-power,
line-of-sight signals.

If it's /that/ difficult to keep it locked on the satellites, you might
want to look for a new unit. Technology has improved them tremendously
within the last few ears. My 60CSX can usually stay locked on 6 or 8
satellites (out of 12 channels) even downstairs in my basement
(concrete) and sitting next to my computer (and despite the resulting
interference that comes from it and the surrounding electronic
equipment). I have no trouble at all in "urban" areas (with the unit
mounted next to the left windshield frame on the dashboard).

Can't answer that, but I can reccommend that you stick to seperate
units if you are looking to move up later - not only are you going to
be very limited (in models available) if you look for a combined unit,
and their combined capabilities will be probably be more limited en
toto as well than two seprate units, but also you have to think of
repair issues (if a combined unit goes down for either of the functions
[camera or GPS], the whole unit has to be sent in for repair* so you
are out both items). If you have seperate units and one fails, you can
get it fixed independently (possibly renting or borrowing a replacement
in the meantime, which would be more difficult to do if you had to find
a combination or both units). Also the same goes for upgrades, you'll
get locked into finding only units with both features if you get an
all-in-one, whereas you can upgrade each independently if you dont.

Not saying "Don't buy thhe Sony", just sayng "think about the
ramifications long term".

\




* A note about Garmin here: Garmin's warranty service is _exceptional_
I had my 60CSX go bad (problem with the external USB/power connector
board causing the thing to have fits, bouncing back and forth between
powered and batteries, and not allowing connection to the computer
through the USB port). They took it, repaired it, and had it back very
quickly (actually it was a brand new, in box with all accessories
included, unit with all my track data/waypoint data transferred to it)
- and that one went bad, too.

Not only did they again check it out and send a whole new unit with
absolutely no argument, again transferring the stored data, they they
insisted on replacing both my 12v power supply cord (which I had bought
seperately from the unit - the tech support gal said that the 60CSX was
her absolute favorite and had never had any problems like mine
reported, and virtually no problems at all, period) AND the computer
USB cable, because the tech support gal was highly suspicious of the
12v power supply cable's regulator as to the culprit for the problem
both times (both involved external power problems). They issued a
"fast track" RMA the second time, due to its unusual nature, and I had
my unit back within a week and a half of shipping it to them, AND I had
a followup call from the tech support person making sure that the
situation had been resolved). As the problem has never cropped up
again, I'd have to say that the assesmment that it was the 12v power
cable was probably correct. Throughout the whole process, everyone I
talked to at Garmin was helpful, friendly, and not the least bit put
out (as it seems many tech support/warranty places acting as if you are
imposing on /them/) about fixing and helping.

--
You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a
reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating
the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for
independence.
-- Charles A. Beard

 

logpoints are made at very variable time distances. Sometimes every second.
So this can be memory consuming.
(The sony 'dongle' is doing it once every 15 seconds).

With the garmin software the log shows time stamps the saved tracks
are condensed and do not show timestamps.

It's a seperate 'dongle' sized GPS something the size of a large USB stick.
It works independend from the camera.

When in the field you have to sync the camera to the GPS.
(And anyway GPS time should be far more accurate than NIST via the
internet.)

The time sync is not to important for me. Sync in the field with the GPS.

I am aware that the 60CSX with the sirf chipset and an 'external' antenna
is far more capable than the Vista. But then there is a price difference as
wel. So for economic reasons (and size) as wel I have choosen the Vista.
(With maps it was less than 1/3 of the price of a 60CSX).

The Sony unit is a very seperate unit, it can be attached to the camera,
because it is small, but it's seperate.

I like the idea of the Sony, small, no buttons or screen, just a logger,
but then how good is it ? (You can not check the workings of it, and
because of the size won't perform as any Garmin in the 60 range).

 

Yes, that's what I was saying - as far as the variable time... but the
time varies inversely proportional to the speed (although I don't know
the exact algorithm).

Hmmm... I'll have to check that on my 60CSX. Like I said, I haven't
actually checked that with my model.

OK, I didn't realize that, I thought you were talking about a built-in
GPS system.

Those are both true, but I was going under the situation of a separate
Camera/GPS that weren't communicating directly. So you are correct for
your situation.

Te only reason I worry about the time sync _is_ for the software to
sync up the pix with the GPS data - otherwise, unless I was shooting
something for court or something similar, I couldn't care less if the
time was off by a minute or two.

I don't have the external antenna, so that doesn't come into the
performance difference, and I was only pointing out that if you are
having diffictulties in normal circumstances with your unit, it might
be time for a change. "On a neckstrap against to your body" seems like
a normal circumstance that you'd want it to perform under to me.

Again, my misunderstanding about the configuration you were discussing.

This, I have no clue about, so hopefully others will dive into this
thread with actual working experience.

--
You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a
reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating
the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for
independence.
-- Charles A. Beard

 

I believe most Garmins do that. My Etrex Summit does and reading the docs
of MacGPS Pro makes it sound like all the Garmins do.

Greg