Do you use GPS with your photography?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/11/2006 01:23:14 PM · #1

Any one use any GPS devices when they shoot? I know some cameras (like the D200) can record GPS data in the photo when you shoot it.

I'm facinated by the idea of being able to record exactly where I am when I shoot. It certainly would make going back to that location a year or 2 later much easier if I wanted to "re-shoot" something over a period of time. Incorporate in with google earth and it would be a great tool to see just where you've been.

Mr Tee

Canon EOS-5D

01/11/2006 01:28:23 PM · #2

I use GPS but don't record on the camera, the GPS is part of a palm top, so I record all the info on there, if my hands aren't too cold....

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

01/11/2006 01:29:38 PM · #3

Originally posted by Mr Tee:

I use GPS but don't record on the camera, the GPS is part of a palm top, so I record all the info on there, if my hands aren't too cold....

Do you find it useful? Or is it one of those things where the idea of it is a lot cooler than the actual result?

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

01/11/2006 01:32:12 PM · #4

I use GPS to facilitate photography, but not the way you describe. I have satellite navigation in my car and use it to find my way to cool places or.... more often... find my way home after I've wandered for hours into areas I know nothing about. :)

Mr Tee

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/11/2006 01:35:15 PM · #5

Originally posted by Megatherian:

Originally posted by Mr Tee:
I use GPS but don't record on the camera, the GPS is part of a palm top, so I record all the info on there, if my hands aren't too cold....

Do you find it useful? Or is it one of those things where the idea of it is a lot cooler than the actual result?

Very useful. If I pass a location at a time when it is either not possible to take an image, or the light isn't right. I can record the GPS position and return later. Before I had it I missed many shots. I really don't know what I would do without it. I have had other photographers send me long/lat for a good location and I just programme into the GPS. Also because it is hand held it will direct if I am walking too.

Message edited by author 2006-01-11 13:36:07.

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/11/2006 01:52:14 PM · #6

I'm a GPS junkie, no doubt. I use mine mainly for Geocaching, and I just like to hold it and fondle it to look as much like a geek as possible, but I have been known to mark spots where I've taken photos, too.

Someday I'll have a camera that I can connect the GPS up to, and I'll be in heaven :)

Just got a new Garmin 60CS at Christmastime -- it's awesome!

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/11/2006 02:04:42 PM · #7

I just got a GPS. Mostly coz I wanted to try geocaching, but also because I find the whole idea of navigating by satellite fascinating. I got a Garmin E-Trex Legend, I was looking at more expensive models (LIke the Garmin 60CS), but I couldn't justify spending the $$ on something I might not be interested in.

I have used it to better explore areas I like to go, to find my way back to the car without worrying about where I am or where I've been and to a lesser extent, navigate in the car.

I have some waypoints in there that are from places where I might have seen something with photographic potential, but something wasn't quite right.

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

01/11/2006 02:08:52 PM · #8

I want to get a GPS but I have not had time to shop around. Is there PORTABLE GPS that holds maps of entire US?

Nick

01/11/2006 02:11:43 PM · #9

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

...I have some waypoints in there that are from places where I might have seen something with photographic potential, but something wasn't quite right...

My thoughts exactly. Right now it's winter and most of the trees look dead and lifeless. In spring though there will likely be some amazing shots of the boring places now. To be able to go back to that exact spot seems pretty awesome to me.

So if anyone knows or is using "in camera" gps - is it a pain? Do you have to run cables from the GPS unit to the camera (seems like that could get awkward)? Does anyone know of any software that takes advantage of in-camera GPS information?

Matthew

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

01/11/2006 02:14:36 PM · #10

My wishlist for the successor to the 20d is bluetooth for the purpose of connecting a bluetooth GPS mouse to record GPS data with photographs. Design the hardware and the software will come...!

Brent_Ward

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

01/11/2006 02:14:52 PM · #11

In the last 6 months I try to record all my major spots for future reference.

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

01/11/2006 10:17:34 PM · #12

I have been using my GPS for the last five years to definitely get me places and also record those GREAT spots I would like to return to. I have the (National Geographic) TOPO! software on my puter that can give you coordinates to load (unfortunately my GPS is older so it has to be plugged in by hand-almost ready to upgrade). Great program!! Bought it for my other hobby of backpacking and hiking, so I could print out the maps to take with, and now using it for both.
I have the coordinates for The All-American Man petroglyph that I am going to get down to soon to photograph. On my GPS and also TOPO! WOuld love to have that D200 for that!!

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

01/11/2006 11:41:54 PM · #13

I recently bought a new GPS but I haven't really started carrying it around with me in my camera bag yet.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/11/2006 11:43:21 PM · #14

Originally posted by alanfreed:

I too have far too many GPS unit, color Streetpilot on the dash, color GPS-76CS, gray scale GPS-76S, and a couiple more laying around somewhere. Geocaching and photography really go together very well, if you have a GPS give geocaching a try.

I used to use a program that when you loaded pictures from a dat / time stamped camera (most are now) the GPS program would sync to actual times of the GPS and camera and give the exact position where you were standing when the photo was take. Can't remember the program right now but it worked well and was a freeware download.. Geocache handle is DespicableD2

Niten

Canon EOS-20D

01/12/2006 12:10:53 AM · #15

I have been known to save points so I can find an area again.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/12/2006 12:14:01 AM · #16

Originally posted by PhantomEWO:

Originally posted by alanfreed:
I'm a GPS junkie, no doubt. I use mine mainly for Geocaching, and I just like to hold it and fondle it to look as much like a geek as possible, but I have been known to mark spots where I've taken photos, too.

Someday I'll have a camera that I can connect the GPS up to, and I'll be in heaven :)

Just got a new Garmin 60CS at Christmastime -- it's awesome!

I too have far too many GPS unit, color Streetpilot on the dash, color GPS-76CS, gray scale GPS-76S, and a couiple more laying around somewhere. Geocaching and photography really go together very well, if you have a GPS give geocaching a try.

I used to use a program that when you loaded pictures from a dat / time stamped camera (most are now) the GPS program would sync to actual times of the GPS and camera and give the exact position where you were standing when the photo was take. Can't remember the program right now but it worked well and was a freeware download.. Geocache handle is DespicableD2

If you find the name of the software please post it back, I'd be very interested in knowing what it is.

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

01/12/2006 04:16:52 PM · #17

Me too! That sounds like a pretty slick tool!

I've done something similar manually before. A couple months ago my dad, my daughter and I took a ride in a small plane around my old hometown. I had the GPS with me (I had it on the dash of the plane, a small Cessna) and I took a bunch of pictures.

By matching up the times of the photos with the data from the GPS, I was able to identify buildings and other features I was shooting later.

Originally posted by Megatherian:

Originally posted by PhantomEWO:

Originally posted by alanfreed:
I'm a GPS junkie, no doubt. I use mine mainly for Geocaching, and I just like to hold it and fondle it to look as much like a geek as possible, but I have been known to mark spots where I've taken photos, too.

Someday I'll have a camera that I can connect the GPS up to, and I'll be in heaven :)

Just got a new Garmin 60CS at Christmastime -- it's awesome!

I too have far too many GPS unit, color Streetpilot on the dash, color GPS-76CS, gray scale GPS-76S, and a couiple more laying around somewhere. Geocaching and photography really go together very well, if you have a GPS give geocaching a try.

I used to use a program that when you loaded pictures from a dat / time stamped camera (most are now) the GPS program would sync to actual times of the GPS and camera and give the exact position where you were standing when the photo was take. Can't remember the program right now but it worked well and was a freeware download.. Geocache handle is DespicableD2

If you find the name of the software please post it back, I'd be very interested in knowing what it is.

Message edited by author 2006-01-12 16:18:53.

digitalpins

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

01/12/2006 04:18:49 PM · #18

nope but it sounds like an awesome idea when your in the middle of nowhere, I have pics from road trips and I have no clue where I was when I took them

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/14/2006 12:43:43 AM · #19

Here's a copmmerical lin to some software. I was using a freeware program and I'm still trying to find it.
//www.geospatialexperts.com/

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

01/14/2006 10:13:51 PM · #20

I haven't tried it, but this could be the one...?

And here is another one.

And another.

Message edited by author 2006-01-14 22:17:06.

01/15/2006 01:19:54 AM · #21

//oziphototool.alistairdickie.com/index.html
I'm still looking. Here's one that may work well also.

Prof_Fate

01/15/2006 01:31:02 AM · #22

Originally posted by Nikolai1024:

I want to get a GPS but I have not had time to shop around. Is there PORTABLE GPS that holds maps of entire US?

Nick

Depends on how much ram they have and how much detail you want. I have a Garmin ETrex Legend $160 or so, 8Mb of ram. It comes preloaded with a 'basemap' of the entire US, probably parts of canada as well. is has the major roads on it, and interstate exits and some info about stuff at the exits.
I got a Metroguide ($100 on CD) and it has more detail than you might ever need. all the roads, restaurants, hotels, attractions and more, including phone numbers (great on trips!!!!!!!!!!)
8mb will hold all of metro pittsburgh and much of the surrounding area (3 or 4 counties) and then my inlaws are in baltimore md so i have that loaded in detail too.
You can get other types of maps too - even ocean charts!

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

01/15/2006 07:45:00 PM · #23

Originally posted by Nikolai1024:

I want to get a GPS but I have not had time to shop around. Is there PORTABLE GPS that holds maps of entire US?

Nick

Just like a camera, buy as much as you can afford. I can almost guarantee you will upgrade if you really start to use it. I have upgraded to color in both car as well as handheld. I have owned about 8 different GPSr from four different manufactures. I suggest you stick with Garmin (1st) or Magellan. If you can get one that will take a additional memory card or in the case of my newest has 128mb of internal memory for maps. With that it only hold about 1/4 of the US at a time with full detailed maps. I have an almost new Garmin 76S gray scale with maps, built-in altimeter and compass, for the right price I would let it go. I like the 76 series becasue they are water-proof, infact will float in water. Good luck

p3wiz

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

01/15/2006 08:16:40 PM · #24

I recently got the Garmin Legend C and I'm very happy with it. It has 24MB of memory and I got the topo map for Canada. What amazing detail. Unless I'm going on a very long trip I can't see exhausting the capacity. What a great tool for photography, with bread crumb trail you can determine exactly where you have been and if you are doubling back. Also the routing works quite well, I was driving around in farm country and it always had the right information.

I noticed that Garmin has just realeased a new version of the Legend that takes memory cards (SD I think) so you could have as much memory as you wanted.