geotagger
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Solmeta N3 geotagging module for Nikon DSLR review: fast GPS locks, minimal battery drain
There's a reason "Nikon GP-1 alternative" is a search phrase that finds its way into Google's simplistic query box frequently. Put simply, the only GPS add-on with Nikon's name on it is universally seen as a poor purchasing decision. For one, it's still right around $200... despite the fact that it's pushing four years old. But perhaps more importantly, it's a major battery hog and takes eons (read: four to five minutes) to get a solid GPS lock if you attempt to conserve your juice by having it shut down each time you flick your camera's power switch to 'off.' Recently, we embarked on a road trip that took us through sparsely populated areas of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon and California. For the purposes of using a geotagging module to accurately journal the precise locations of thousands of shots through some of America's most pristine wilderness, we strapped Solmeta's Geotagger N3 atop a Nikon D3S. For those unaware, the N3 was first introduced at CES 2012, and just recently started shipping directly from the company's Hong Kong headquarters to purchasers all over the globe. Much to our surprise, it managed to not only outgun the GP-1, but it also exceeded even our lofty expectations. Care to hear more? Join us after the break. %Gallery-159538%
Pentax releases O-GPS1 add-on for DSLRs, appeals to astronomy nuts
Pentax's Optio WG-1 GPS point-and-shoot satisfied geotaggers out of the box, but owners of its K-5, K-r and 645D DSLRs have had to make do with third-party taggers like the PhotoTrackr or Eye-Fi. The new hotshoe-mounted O-GPS1 module fixes that oversight by recording latitude, longitude, altitude, Coordinated Universal Time and shooting angle. Everyday snappers might find an extra hotshoe attachment cumbersome, but astro-photography enthusiasts could well be enticed by the device's interesting "ASTROTRACER" function. This helps you take clearer photos of celestial bodies by using the in-built sensors to calculate a star's movement and then employing the camera's shake reduction system to compensate. Sounds clever, but be advised: this module is only for Pentax DSLRs -- and only for very specific models at that. You'll get full functionality with the K-5 and K-r cameras, and geotagging (no ASTROTRACER) with the 645D. Oh, and you'll need to make sure your camera's firmware is up-to-date. Peer carefully through that lens and you'll see the O-GPS1 heading for a July landing, priced at $250. [Thanks, Iddo]
Foolography Unleashed Bluetooth geotagging modules land for Nikon D90 and Dx000 DSLRs
There's no shortage of fancy ways to geotag with your old beater of a shooter, but Foolography's new solutions for Nikon DSLRs might be one of the most understated. Two new "Unleashed" modules have just arrived, one for the Dx000 series (D3100, D5000, and D7000), and the other for the ultra-popular D90. The little Bluetooth modules embed GPS data from an external GPS receiver (yeah, it's BYOEGPSR) directly onto photos as you take them. They're retailing for €125 outside of the EU (about $170 US) and a bit more to consumers on the continent -- nobody ever said classy comes cheap.
ATP PhotoFinder mini geotagger doesn't require software
Most of the geotaggers we've seen have written location data to your photos using some fancy software on your machine after you've pulled images off your camera, but ATP's PhotoFinder mini moves the tagging step backwards in the process, writing geodata directly to images on your memory card. Like similar devices, the PhotoFinder mini records timelogged GPS data from a SiRF Star III chip while you shoot -- but when you're done, you insert your card into a base station, which tags your images using their EXIF timestamps. Sounds like a much simpler system than relying on third-party software to integrate with your photo-management apps -- we just wish the dock was also a card reader, which would make this a one-step process. No pricing info yet, but if this thing is reasonable, it'll certainly be tempting.[Via Photography Blog, thanks Mark]
Sellgino shows off GS-200 GPS Photo Tour geotagger
Geotagging devices are cropping up at a pretty steady pace these days, and it looks like you can now add one more company to the bandwagon, with Sellgino now showing off its GS-200 GPS Photo Tour device. Like other similar options out there, this one relies on your photo's EXIF data to match 'em up with the locations logged by the GPS receiver (a SiRF Star III, in this case), with some software provided to merge all that data together and plot out your travels on Google Maps. Somewhat more uniquely, this one will also double as a USB handset for VoIP calls (hence the design), and it can apparently be used as an external USB drive, though it's not clear how much storage space it packs. No word on a price or release date either, unfortunately.[Via Slash Gear]
Build your own Nikon D200 geotagger for under $100
While we wait patiently for camera manufacturers to realize that geotagging is a much more compelling feature than yet another megapixel, we'll be building this DIY GPS attachment for the Nikon D200 instead. Just like the $400 GeoPic II, the box is based on a SiRF Star III chip, but since you're building it yourself, you'll wind up shelling out less than $100. While you'll need a steady hand and a bit of soldering skill, it doesn't look too hard to put together -- so what are you waiting for? Instructions at the read link.[Via Make and hack a day]
More on Geocoding Your Photos: GPSPhotoLinker and Geotagger
Earlier this week we posted on PhotoInfoEditor a small application for geocoding (adding location information to the metadata of digital photos). Well that seemed to shake some geocoding fans out of the woodwork, and so now we have a couple more ways to do it (both also donationware). First, Brian wrote in to let us know about GPSPhotoLinker from Jeffrey Early, a small application that will automatically insert geocoding info into pictures by linking the photo to a GPX format log file from a stand-along GPS receiver. In other words, you need to have a GPS receiver with you and on while you're out and about taking pictures. When you get home you upload the log file and the pictures to your Mac and GPSPhotoLinker will compare the time stamps of your pictures to the GPX log file locations and insert the appropriate latitude and longitude into the photos' metadata. Needless to say, for this to work properly requires that the camera and the GPS receiver's internal clocks be synchronized.In the comments on the PhotoInfoEditor post, Craig Stanton brought our attention to his two related applications for geocoding using Google Earth. First Geotagger allows you to mark photo locations using Google Earth 4. You just "position Google Earth (version 4 only) over the location you wish to insert into your images, then drag your images (jpegs only) onto the Geotagger icon" and the photos will be tagged. For iPhoto users, Craig also has an iPhoto 6 plugin, iPhotoToGoogleEarth, that "will export photos for viewing in Google Earth" (obviously this only works if the photos already have the location metadata in them).Thanks Brian and Craig!
Jelbert GeoTagger adds GPS tracking to cameras
For those of you who need that oh-so-critical GPS meta-data while shooting in the field -- and you're one to change cameras more frequently than clothing -- Ricoh's GPS-integrated digicam doesn't do you a whole lot of good, and while Sony's GPS-CS1 was a start, Jelbert's GeoTagger ups the ante by providing real-time location / date data via the strapped on Garmin Geko 301. The less-than-sleek contraption most conveniently attaches to the hot shoe of any SLR / DSLR, but can supposedly be used with any manual focus cam in some form or another; depressing the shutter button triggers the stamping action, which saves the GPS information (including your current direction) to a dedicated SD card that can be merged with your photos using third-party software (such as RoboGEO). So if you're looking for some precision tagging to go along with your pointing and shooting -- and don't mind the, um, unpolished look -- the GeoTagger can be picked up now for £149 ($284).[Via The Raw Feed]
