Reading mode: Light Dark

Nikon Z bodies and geotagging

Go to last post
albero said:
I am really surprised that Nikon does not include this function native in the latest Z series bodies. Nikon is the choice for many pro photoreporter...they go in the most remote location of the world to document life with images. How come that I need something external to associate GPS coordinates to a shot if even a cheap smartphone can do it from scratch when you start using it. Nikon enginners/marketing...are you listening? Thanks
Click to expand...
What are you considering the "latest Z series bodies"? The Z6 and Z7 are two years old now. The DX bodies are not what I would call the choice of "pro photoreporters".

The latest Z body is the Z9 and it has built-in geotagging. Works like a charm.

Will the next full frame bodies from Nikon (Z6/7 III or maybe Z8) have built in GPS? Who knows? Clearly, Nikon knows how to put it in the camera. It's a question of whether they choose to.
 
nflanders2 said:
John Retsal said:
drjfly said:
John Retsal said:
allanimal said:
Location data is saved to exif via SnapBridge if you enable that functionality
Click to expand...
Is the location data sent to the file in the camera from Snapbridge? Meaning, if I never sync or download any photos from my camera to my phone (via Snapbridge) that the GPS data will still be added to the EXIF data for each photo file in the camera?
Click to expand...
The GPS info is written to the image file.
Click to expand...
Yes, but the question is, is it written to the file in the camera and not when the file is transferred to the phone?

It appears that is works this way...

Photo taken <-- GPS data from Snapbridge (then) --> photo to iphone

What I want is...

Photo taken <-- GPS data from Snapbridge (no photo sent to iPhone)
Click to expand...
No it is written in the camera. Otherwise where is the point? The files are geotagged even if you copy them from card to your computer because GPS is embedded in the files
Click to expand...
OK, good. Now, I brought up the app and it connected (Bluetooth). I took a photo. No location data on the file in the camera.

I found the option in Snapbridge to download location data to the camera. I did that and took another photo. Now there is location data in the file. But...

Is that a one time download of the location data or do I need to do that every time my location changes? It looks to be a one time thing. What I would want is to have that happen for every photo as I travel around.

EDIT: Actually I think I just got my answer. As part of the location data that it downloaded to the camera, was a time stamp. I have take a couple photos now and they all have the same time stamp. So that location data download is a one time thing.

What I need to know, and want, is for Snapbridge to provide updated location info for every photo I take as I move around. It doesn't seem like that is possible.
 
Last edited:
John Retsal said:
nflanders2 said:
John Retsal said:
drjfly said:
John Retsal said:
allanimal said:
Location data is saved to exif via SnapBridge if you enable that functionality
Click to expand...
Is the location data sent to the file in the camera from Snapbridge? Meaning, if I never sync or download any photos from my camera to my phone (via Snapbridge) that the GPS data will still be added to the EXIF data for each photo file in the camera?
Click to expand...
The GPS info is written to the image file.
Click to expand...
Yes, but the question is, is it written to the file in the camera and not when the file is transferred to the phone?

It appears that is works this way...

Photo taken <-- GPS data from Snapbridge (then) --> photo to iphone

What I want is...

Photo taken <-- GPS data from Snapbridge (no photo sent to iPhone)
Click to expand...
No it is written in the camera. Otherwise where is the point? The files are geotagged even if you copy them from card to your computer because GPS is embedded in the files
Click to expand...
OK, good. Now, I brought up the app and it connected (Bluetooth). I took a photo. No location data on the file in the camera.

I found the option in Snapbridge to download location data to the camera. I did that and took another photo. Now there is location data in the file. But...

Is that a one time download of the location data or do I need to do that every time my location changes? It looks to be a one time thing. What I would want is to have that happen for every photo as I travel around.

EDIT: Actually I think I just got my answer. As part of the location data that it downloaded to the camera, was a time stamp. I have take a couple photos now and they all have the same time stamp. So that location data download is a one time thing.

What I need to know, and want, is for Snapbridge to provide updated location info for every photo I take as I move around. It doesn't seem like that is possible.
Click to expand...
Did you try enabling the auto link and setting update frequency?

 
ybb said:
John Retsal said:
nflanders2 said:
John Retsal said:
drjfly said:
John Retsal said:
allanimal said:
Location data is saved to exif via SnapBridge if you enable that functionality
Click to expand...
Is the location data sent to the file in the camera from Snapbridge? Meaning, if I never sync or download any photos from my camera to my phone (via Snapbridge) that the GPS data will still be added to the EXIF data for each photo file in the camera?
Click to expand...
The GPS info is written to the image file.
Click to expand...
Yes, but the question is, is it written to the file in the camera and not when the file is transferred to the phone?

It appears that is works this way...

Photo taken <-- GPS data from Snapbridge (then) --> photo to iphone

What I want is...

Photo taken <-- GPS data from Snapbridge (no photo sent to iPhone)
Click to expand...
No it is written in the camera. Otherwise where is the point? The files are geotagged even if you copy them from card to your computer because GPS is embedded in the files
Click to expand...
OK, good. Now, I brought up the app and it connected (Bluetooth). I took a photo. No location data on the file in the camera.

I found the option in Snapbridge to download location data to the camera. I did that and took another photo. Now there is location data in the file. But...

Is that a one time download of the location data or do I need to do that every time my location changes? It looks to be a one time thing. What I would want is to have that happen for every photo as I travel around.

EDIT: Actually I think I just got my answer. As part of the location data that it downloaded to the camera, was a time stamp. I have take a couple photos now and they all have the same time stamp. So that location data download is a one time thing.

What I need to know, and want, is for Snapbridge to provide updated location info for every photo I take as I move around. It doesn't seem like that is possible.
Click to expand...
Did you try enabling the auto link and setting update frequency?

https://nikonimglib.com/snbr/onlinehelp/en/08_master_02.html
Click to expand...
That was it. Thank you for the very helpful reply. Unlike the reply just before yours which, was not only not helpful but rude.
 
skyrunr said:
You can also use a trail hiking app on your phone to track your movement throughout the day, and line up the times after the fact.
Click to expand...
I don't normally like to Track my GPS location but on a photography hike/trip would be cool to have a record of the locations you took photos.

I need to Find a way to get a tracfone
 
I occasionally tried the geotagging via Snapbridge on my Z6. It worked, but the location only updates periodically, so it's not too accurate on each photo.

A quick test just now seems to be updating approximately every 2 minutes, no matter if I'm moving or stopped. The time differences are often about 2:10, but sometimes much longer.

~~~

I have it set on the fastest location updates, I think.

I have settings Auto link-->On

Link mode: background. "links to the camera even when the phone is in sleep mode"

auto download (of pictures) Off

Clocks: On

location data On, High. Power savings=Off. The description says High increases battery drain on the camera and phone. Do no choose in a moving vehicle. "low means location data will update less frequently, but reduces the drain..."

(For my tests, one of the Image Review screen modes shows the GPS location and update time on the photo.)

~~

What is that "Download location data" button on Snapbridge? I tapped it, and it timed out "failed to download to camera".
 
John Retsal said:
allanimal said:
Location data is saved to exif via SnapBridge if you enable that functionality
Click to expand...
Is the location data sent to the file in the camera from Snapbridge? Meaning, if I never sync or download any photos from my camera to my phone (via Snapbridge) that the GPS data will still be added to the EXIF data for each photo file in the camera?
Click to expand...
No, GPS is synced to the camera, then the camera adds it to the file in camera (RAW and JPEG. You don't have to download your photos to the phone for it to work.

GPS accuracy is controlled by the setting on the phone. SO it does work in building as well, a s the phone will rely on other sources, should the satellites not be in contact.
 
To: All participants on this thread! Thank you!!!

I have never really considered it before but I currently have thousands of photos to copy and need to try to find such things as:

Who took the photo;

Where & when was it taken;

Who or what was the main subject(s);

Was there a special reason or occasion for the photo;

In other words who, what, when, where, why, and how, ...

A few of the photos were taken near or maybe over a hundred years ago and may have some historical significance. a small museum is interested in Prints even if nothing can be found on them.

It sure would have been nice if ANY of this information could have been recorded in film days. Now it is difficult to impossible to get the information. So I suggest recording any information available. Most of the original photographers are dead including my Father a near-lifetime Professional Photographer; however, even many of the photos I took 10 to 60 years ago have dimmed in my mind [yes, I started at age 8 with Dad as my instructor].

Yes! I did install Snapbridge on my phone but have not set it up yet; will work on that ASAP !
 
RJNedimyer said:
To: All participants on this thread! Thank you!!!

I have never really considered it before but I currently have thousands of photos to copy and need to try to find such things as:

Who took the photo;

Where & when was it taken;

Who or what was the main subject(s);

Was there a special reason or occasion for the photo;

In other words who, what, when, where, why, and how, ...

A few of the photos were taken near or maybe over a hundred years ago and may have some historical significance. a small museum is interested in Prints even if nothing can be found on them.

It sure would have been nice if ANY of this information could have been recorded in film days. Now it is difficult to impossible to get the information. So I suggest recording any information available. Most of the original photographers are dead including my Father a near-lifetime Professional Photographer; however, even many of the photos I took 10 to 60 years ago have dimmed in my mind [yes, I started at age 8 with Dad as my instructor].

Yes! I did install Snapbridge on my phone but have not set it up yet; will work on that ASAP !
Click to expand...
 
A phone can have 5 Nikon snap bridge cameras linked to it HOWEVER, it can only be linked to one camera at a time, you must manually switch cameras in the app .
 
Chuck Yadmark said:
A phone can have 5 Nikon snap bridge cameras linked to it HOWEVER, it can only be linked to one camera at a time, you must manually switch cameras in the app .
Click to expand...
Ah, thank you. As someone who regularly travels around with a minimum of two and sometimes three cameras, that's a bit awkward. Then again, as someone from the film days who used to have to keep notes on paper, it's not the end of the world. If just one camera at a time is recording the data, I'm good. I have some cheapo third-party units from my old DSLRs that worked well. I may try them, as well, if the connecting cables work.
 
I get obsessive about this stuff. I've gone back to almost all our vacation trips in the last 20 years and I've used Lightroom and Google maps street view to put GPS coordinates on most of my old travel photos. Of course, that only works when you're in urban areas with street views. I found it a very pleasant way to sort of relive each trip.

I don't think I'll ever use SnapBridge for GPS tagging. It's far more accurate, and I think easier, to just use a GPS logging app on my iPhone and log each day I'm out. No need to connect my camera to the phone. Upload the track log to Lightroom when I get home and tag every photo in batch mode.
 
PaulV said:
Chuck Yadmark said:
A phone can have 5 Nikon snap bridge cameras linked to it HOWEVER, it can only be linked to one camera at a time, you must manually switch cameras in the app .
Click to expand...
Ah, thank you. As someone who regularly travels around with a minimum of two and sometimes three cameras, that's a bit awkward. Then again, as someone from the film days who used to have to keep notes on paper, it's not the end of the world. If just one camera at a time is recording the data, I'm good. I have some cheapo third-party units from my old DSLRs that worked well. I may try them, as well, if the connecting cables work.
Click to expand...
Just get a GPS logging app for your phone. Easier and more accurate.
 
John Retsal said:
allanimal said:
Location data is saved to exif via SnapBridge if you enable that functionality
Click to expand...
Is the location data sent to the file in the camera from Snapbridge? Meaning, if I never sync or download any photos from my camera to my phone (via Snapbridge) that the GPS data will still be added to the EXIF data for each photo file in the camera?
Click to expand...
Yes. My Z5 tags all the pictures with geo data even when I pull the files directly off the card into my laptop.
 
I've used Snapbridge a few times for GPS tagging. It works OK if set up for quick update, but can be wildly wrong if not. There are several formats used for storing the location data and not all software reads it correctly, though I think the major apps do. You should still double check. There's an excellent Android app called GPS Test that gives you a fast full resolution readout on your phone. Highly recommended to know number of satellites, signal strength and various other things.

Loading…

play.google.com
 
Geotag from a recorded route

As mentioned in this thread, you can record your walk on your phone, then save it as a .gpx route file. The photos are later batch processed, to lookup the location based on the time of the photo and the recorded track data.

I use a recording app for cycling and hiking to get distance, elevation, and elapsed times. I briefly tried to geotag some photos a few years ago, and it did work. I'm not sure which geotag app I used.

Apps to geotag photos The photo date and time must be accurate, since that's how it matches the route point to the photo. I use Snapbridge to update the camera clock.

I usually use ridewithgps.com's free app to do the recording (since I'm familiar with it for planning routes and for cycling). It's easy and reliable, even while running in the background with the screen off. I save the route when I'm done, then I can go view it and click the Export to gpx option. I can do this from their web version, or the phone app.

~~~

If having the location tagged correctly was critical, I don't think I'd depend on a snapbridge connection to the Nikon, without doing a lot of previous testing.
 
Last edited:
albero said:
I am really surprised that Nikon does not include this function native in the latest Z series bodies. Nikon is the choice for many pro photoreporter...they go in the most remote location of the world to document life with images. How come that I need something external to associate GPS coordinates to a shot if even a cheap smartphone can do it from scratch when you start using it. Nikon enginners/marketing...are you listening? Thanks
Click to expand...
Good, reliable low power GPS for nikon was solved some years ago by Dawntech’s DI-GPS units. They run off camera power but, in practice, very little and acquire lock well. Once Snapbridge became usable I looked again at it but it does drain the phone battery and I found its accuracy is variable depending on the apps use of different nav modes. Often it didnt change even when I was moving. The DI-GPS does not use mobile network triangulation so is not an indoor tool but who need that? I only need gps when there isn’t an address and I need an accurate location.
 
GPS-A AKA using the cell towers for help is quicker to lock on and can be more accurate. If you get on a plane and fly for a few hours the time for a non GPS-A to find itself can be lengthy. Even worse if you're in a modern city with tall buildings creating a manmade canyon.

If you only ever use the GPS in one location not really an issue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Post-processing Nikon Z-body files from Z lenses (vs. F lenses)
Replies
19
Views
20
sirhawkeye64
S
Stockholmed-in-BadMusic
Panasonic Lumix S5II vs Nikon Z5II + L-mount vs Z-mount
Replies
14
Views
123
RBIV
RBIV
R
Boryoza Fuji X to Nikon Z adapter: my experience and some thoughts
Replies
9
Views
60
1000DTL
1
L
Each Nikon body purchase has been a major upgrade
Replies
19
Views
20
Spiderfoot
Spiderfoot
G
Need advice on 3 good full frame alternatives from Canon, Nikon and Sony
Replies
19
Views
20
Ruedon
R

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top