SD700 can't export ISO value

Usually I'm taking pictures with SLR, but I felt the need for a second smaller cam, so I got the camera this week and tested around a while now. The camera is fantastic in a couple of ways - like speed, IS, design and build quality - but there are two things, which really do bother me:

First the cam is NOT able to export a correct ISO value in the EXIF data. If you set ISO to auto, it simply exports "auto" instead of the actual ISO value. If you set ISO to any defined value - like 80 - it exports "Unknown" as EXIF ISO info. This is really annoying as some plugins - like Noise Ninja - use this info to take their appropriate settings. Besides I myself am interested in this value when reviewing my pictures.

The second thing is, that sometimes skin tones get heavy tinted towards magenta-red. When this occurs, skins look really ugly and can't be fully repaired in Photoshop. As this doesn't appear always it takes a little confidence in this little cam.

--
see you,
Wolfgang

If you search this forum, there were already somewhat lengthy discussions regarding ISO Exif data in the latest Canons like the SD700.

If you use Canon's own Zoombrowser software, the ISO info is there when you specify the ISO (other than Auto settings, though it does differentiate between AutoISO and AutoHiISO) -- Canon's own software works as it's supposed to.

It would appear that 3rd party software makers, for better or worse, are going to need to update interpreting Canon's data with whatever Canon's done. Yes, it's annoying on Auto mode not knowing what the camera actually chose no matter what.

Canon's a major player (and they probably know it). Software makers will get their products updated eventually, and maybe Canon themselves can even get around to saying Auto-100, Auto-200, and so on.

In the meantime, you're somewhat forced to use Canon's software if you want ISO info that's as accurate and complete as can be currently.

Thanks for your answer!

It's a long time know, that I had to install a specific camera manufacturers download software for the last time - this was back 2001 with the ancient Ixus digital. All my other cameras - 6 of them up to today - didn't need software like that anymore. They simply got plugged and that's it. A shame that I have to start again to pollute my pc with superfluous rubbish like that.
--
see you,
Wolfgang

Wolfgang Fieger wrote:
A shame that I have to start

Wolfgang Fieger said:

again to pollute my pc with superfluous rubbish like that.
Wolfgang

Click to expand...

Wolfgang,

I agree. And it gets worse. But in another thread I found this (can't seem to find the thread right now)

"I have found that the actual ISO setting used by the camera is recorded in an EXIF Makernote field when the camera is set to AUTO ISO. I use ExifTool to read the ISO setting from the Makernote field and write it to the EXIF ISO field so NeatImage can read the ISO setting and use it for auto profiling."

"ExifTool is freeware and requires a Perl interpretator, which is also freeware. There are references to using ExifTool on the Canon forum.
http://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/ "

THAT IS QUOTE from thread on or about Jul 12, i think.

In anycase I will be trying that today! It also has a way to 'call it" from photoshop, which I really hope will work.

Of course you have to install PERL, manually install the plugin and the pearl commnad line code. So Yes I agree. A pain but doable.

SECOND: I to have been plagued with this grain thing BUT untill you pointed it out, I didn't notice that it REALLY shows up most in skin tones. Faces are particually noticable as grainy.

Thanks, I will get back, if you like on the usefull ness of this PERL tool.
-g

Thanks for this hint!

I will try ExifTool first. Hope this is practical enough to get me round the Zoombrowser installation...
--
see you,
Wolfgang

pro_photo said:

(can't seem to find the thread right now)

Click to expand...

Here you go:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=18894850

Have you tried tweaking the Custom Color settings? With regard to color, I've changed the default settings to:

Red - down one notch
Skin tone - down one notch
Saturation - up one notch

I've been quite pleased with the results. For example:



--
gail ~ http://www.pbase.com/gailb
My digital camera BLOGGs: Canon SD700, S2 & A510; Panasonic FZ3, Nikon 5400
http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-blogs/index.htm

Thanks for your recommendation!

I will try this also and make some tests by myself. By the way: Your picture is cute!
--
see you,
Wolfgang

gail said:

Here you go:

Click to expand...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=18894850

Ok that thread suggests:

"In order to replace the standard ISO field by the Canon ISO field in all the pictures in current folder, you just need to do this:
perl exiftool -overwrite_original "-ISO> CameraISO" . "

I installed and tried the wonderfull exif tool, however that command didn't seem to work, perhpaps I missunderstood some part.

But in fact I can't even find a comand that will show me the ISO, even though I know its therer, cause Zoombrowser shows it..

(the ISO setting that is when camera is set to AUTO).

anyideas?
thanks

The command line is close, but will copy the information from the EXIF ISO to the Canon ISO, which is the wrong way around. Also, I don't know what the trailing quote is for, and adding a path to exiftool may be necessary. So try this instead:

perl c:\Image-ExifTool-6.25\exiftool -overwrite_original "-ISO

You have to "cd" to the the directory containing the images before running the command. Also, it assumes that perl is in your PATH, and that you Image-ExifTool version 6.25 exists on C:

• Phil

(note that the trailing "." is necessary on the command line -- it indicates the current directory)

Boardhead wrote:
. So try this instead:

Boardhead said:

perl c:\Image-ExifTool-6.25\exiftool -overwrite_original
"-ISO

Boardhead said:

You have to "cd" to the the directory containing the images before

Click to expand...

running the command. Also, it assumes that perl is in your PATH,
and that you Image-ExifTool version 6.25 exists on C:

• Phil

Click to expand...

Phil,
Thanks SO much for the hints and tips.

Can you possibly show me a command that would just SHOW the iso setting? I have (i thought) tried to look at everything and no where do I SEE that ISO setting in the data, when the camera is set to auto. SO what field is it in? Or where exactly does canon hide it? Is it in the makernotes? If so I dont' see it?

thanks so much

nice topic

To see all information in an image and where it is stored, use "exiftool -a -u -G1 -s IMAGE", where "IMAGE" is the path name of your image (or a directory containing images).

To see just the ISO and ISOSetting, you can use "exiftool -ISO -CameraISO IMAGE". The CameraISO is in the Canon Makernotes, and indicates the camera ISO setting. The actual image ISO is also recorded in two places (both with tag name ISO): one in the EXIF information, and one in the maker notes. To see all of them, use this:

exiftool -a -G1 -iso -cameraiso IMAGE

Note that case is not significant for tag names, and that you will have to run this command via perl in the standard way if you are running in Windows.

I hope this helps. Try reading the exiftool documentation (just run "exiftool" with no arguments), for more information.

Boardhead said:

I hope this helps. Try reading the exiftool documentation (just
run "exiftool" with no arguments), for more information.

Click to expand...

Thank you VERY much. I'm a programer and even sometimes perl!
I STILL find this particular docmentation impossible to read!

Thanks for you interpretation.

I tried all of this and didn't SEE the ISO.
LET ME test exactly what you say here, and I'll get back...
(three weeks before I'll be back!)

thanks SO much for your time and effort.

Please if anyone else has success with the SD700, note it here.
thanks so much

I should have tried the SD700 specifically. Here is the result from my SD700 test image:

pro_photo said:

. exiftool .. models/CanonPowerShotSD700IS.jpg -a -u -G1 -s ~ grep ISO

Click to expand...

[Canon] CameraISO : Auto
[Canon] ISO : 100

Note that the forum replaced my pipe (vertical bar) with a tilde in the command above

Boardhead wrote:
thanks so much. I got it now!

Ok on my way in couple hours to French Polynesia, I'll bring you back some pictures.
Thanks!