GPS camera tags on data-how accurate are they?

[hotspur]

Just wondering if anyone here has experience with newer cameras that tag images with GPS location-is it all done automatically? How accurate is it.

I never really thought I'd have such a need for such information-I know where
I've been.

But sadly,I came across a very upsetting and illegal activity on a field trip,I took heaps of data and video and handed it over to RSPCA, by the time the investigator was in the field,the information was forth hand,I looked on google earth and new exactly crime had took place,and gave that data-but it did not lead him to crime scene.But he found the same activity,but was older than what I recorded.(I simply cannot go into details or show images-its just too disturbing)

A new GPS camera might be the answer to such a situation.Not a very nice way to come to a reason to buy a new camera,but it can help stock squad lock up awful people it would be worth it.

The detective did ring a few times,(and actually spoke to me like a person-not 'darlek'-think he was quite taken back too of the shock),he did say the police had a lot better data to start of than they normal do-so I suppose that could should be good.

[gbeal]

Not sure about the new cameras Chris, but I have started inputting the coordinates within LightRoom. No real reason, but it seems good idea to record exactly what, where, and when.
Certainly not the prime reason for buying a different or new camera, but handy nevertheless.
Gary

[hotspur]

Yes,sounds good,I really could have collected much better data for the police,but was not thinking straight-after have to look at it all in the real,I was just happy to get what I got,decamp the area with great speed,and not get a bullet in the back.

[DavidTrap]

Sad situation to hear Chris,

I have a GPS logger. It is a separate device that logs your position every 10 seconds and provided your camera's time is correct, you can sync the position log to your photos. Mine was about $120, and uses a rechargeable battery that lasts about 40hrs. The battery is the same as in an old Nokia mobile phone, so easily replaced (for a couple of years I guess!).

Unfortunately it's not a super simple process. One bit of software to download the GPS log file and another (Lightroom) to sync it to the photos.

As far as I can tell from a quick web search, you need a 5DIII to use a genuine Canon hotshoe GPS reciever that will add the GPS coordinates to the EXIF data when you actually take the shot.

DT

[hotspur]

[QUOTE=DavidTrap;893069]Sad situation to hear Chris,

I have a GPS logger. It is a separate device that logs your position every 10 seconds and provided your camera's time is correct, you can sync the position log to your photos. Mine was about $120, and uses a rechargeable battery that lasts about 40hrs. The battery is the same as in an old Nokia mobile phone, so easily replaced (for a couple of years I guess!).

Unfortunately it's not a super simple process. One bit of software to download the GPS log file and another (Lightroom) to sync it to the photos.

As far as I can tell from a quick web search, you need a 5DIII to use a genuine Canon hotshoe GPS reciever that will add the GPS coordinates to the EXIF data when you actually take the shot.



Thanks David,I was unaware of how such works or worked,I just have heard people mention GPS data on files,never really ever thought such is something I may need.

Maybe a 'hand held GPS' box thing might be handy-I know nothing about these either,but given the rough excursions and things I stumble across might be rather useful.

[mithrandir]

Chris, my Sony returns coordinates that are within the error estimate of my other GPS.

GPS: xx 43 40.100 S, xxx 59 31.200 E 117 m Above Sea Level (in my study)
A77: xx 43' 39.70" S, xxx 59' 30.60" E 116.8 m Above Sea Level (in the back yard ~20m W and ~5m N from the study)

It does take a minute or so to report position after turning on (less if you have not moved far) and helps flatten the camera battery, but does set the camera clock.

I have a GPS logger but this is much more convenient.

[hotspur]

Thanks Andrew-I thought the non tradition brands of cameras had that feature,but the GPS logger you mention might be best for me-The Canon 5D3 with the feature-that David mentions,sounds like it would be ideal.

[tlgerdes]

The camera on my phone reports me to within about 10m