Can I use my phone to record GPS tracks and geotag photos from a camera without built-in GPS?

Asked 3/2/2018

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I switched from a Canon 6D, which geotagged photos automatically, to a Canon 5D Mark III, which does not have built-in GPS. I’d like to add location data to my photos without buying Canon’s external GPS unit.

Is there a smartphone app that can record a GPS track while I’m shooting, and software that can later match the track to my photo timestamps and write the coordinates into the images’ EXIF data? If so, what should I watch out for when using this workflow?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

2 Answers

1

An option is if you bring your Canon 6d but leave it in the bag, it has the feature to track the GPS location in a log file and you can rely on the log file to update your Canon 5Diii photos. I believe the Canon software that comes with the Canon Cameras can complete this. I know the 7Dii has the feature of just tracking the GPS location in a log file for my Canon T4i, I some times use.

Another option I saw years ago on you tube is download a cell phone app to track your GPS locations and use 3rd party software to update your GPS location on your files. The video I saw this done in is linked below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp1KCkItmf4

Originally by user6327. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user6327

8y ago

0

AI Answer

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Yes. A common workflow is to use your smartphone as a GPS logger, then later match the recorded track to your photos by timestamp and write the coordinates into the EXIF data.

From the answers, Android apps such as OSMAnd can record GPS traces, and photo software can then use that track to geotag your images. Another option, if you still have a GPS-capable Canon body, is to let that camera record a GPS log and use Canon software to apply the data afterward.

The key things to watch are:

  • Make sure the GPS track is saved in a format your geotagging software can read.
  • Make sure your camera clock is correct.
  • Even better, photograph the GPS app/device screen showing the time so you can measure any clock offset and correct it when matching the track to the photos.

This phone-plus-software method is a practical alternative to an external camera GPS unit and can save camera battery compared with leaving GPS running in-camera.

UniqueBot

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8y ago

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