p.1 #1 · GPS Geotagging on Z8 and other Nikon Cameras
In my work I have a periodic need for exact locations for photos. Sometimes for licensing, documentary, follow up, legal, real estate.... Many photographers need exact location data to document where and when a photo was taken. Sometimes years can pass between the time a photo is taken and a follow up, or license agreement requires a return photo and precise location is needed. Prior to 2019 many cameras had built-in GPS which provided geotagging in the EXIF files. Now however, there are only a handful (Canon D5iv, Nikon Z9, X1D II 50C...) now have geolocation capability. I'll insert here that I have zero company affiliation with any of the GPS tagging products I will mention herein (or anywhere else).
Today camera manufacturers want us to use their apps to provide geotagging. I'm not sure whether that provides them with information on where we are shooting but........ The issue with many of these phone apps is that they work intermittently at best. The alternatives are make written notes which, for me doesn't work as I can be on the move and stopping to take notes can mean the difference between getting the shot and missing. A third method is to use one of the many tracking devices like Garmin tracking/hiking recorders that plot where you have been and can be synched to your photos during post production. The two faults I have with these is most of these recorders leave bread crumbs to identify your past positions, not continuous recording to save batteries. They also require you to upload everything to a computer after the shoot and hope that the data was recorded successfully and synchs to your photos. Even in the best of results you get an approximate location of where a photo was taken and not necessarily an exact location. That leaves a fourth option - third-party geotaggers like; di-GPS Geotagger Eco, Columbus NGPS, Nikon GP-N100... and a few others.
The issue with many of these is that they were developed for older Nikon cameras and don't work on newer mirrorless cameras like Z bodies. Some are also the size of a remote flash transmitter sitting atop your camera any time you are logging data. Additionally many require being mounted on the multi-shoe and occupying that space and/or having to be tethered to the camera via obtrusive connection cables that run from the GPS receiver to the camera body.
After extensive research and trial of several of these units I stumbled upon the Prazi Solutions GPS Transmitter & receiver ($139 at time of writing). The transmitter can be attached to your strap, worn around the neck or even "fobbed" to your belt or pack straps. The receiver plugs securely to your cameras 10-pin plug and locks into place. The transmitter is only 47g and measures 3"x1.25"x .75". To operate, charge the transmitter, plug in the receiver, turn on the transmitter, allow a minute or two (cold start) for the transmitter to lock onto 3 satellites and connect to the receiver - and shoot. No in-camera adjustments or settings. Nothing on your camera changes except the small +/- 1in. receiver. It's on continuously and draws near zero from your in-camera battery. In usage I've found zero lost/missed logs and even if you go into a canyon, between buildings or anywhere the transmitter temporarily loses satellite connection you get a geotag from your last known position until connection is reestablished. To verify that you're getting your logs simply look at the blue-green flashing light on the transmitter to verify it is currently connected to satellites.
I've found that every different software Apple, LR.... shows the data differently so you will have to see how your software handles your EXIF data. I'll attach some photos of the product and contact information herein. I purchased mine from Ebay (prazisolutions) and you can search by title: GPS unit for Nikon Z8 D850 D6 D5 D4 D3 D810 D800 D700 etc. with wireless remote. You can look up the company at: Prazi Solutions LLC
The user manual here lists all the cameras this will work with: https://prazisolutions.com/download/GPS_Unit_Gii_User_manual.pdf
p.1 #2 · GPS Geotagging on Z8 and other Nikon Cameras
It's not clear how many cameras can connect to that GPS receiver. Is it limited to two devices due to the BlueTooths? I usually have 3-4 cameras and use at least two daily. It would be nice to transmit to Sony and Canon bodies also.
p.1 #3 · GPS Geotagging on Z8 and other Nikon Cameras
I too use several cameras depending on the tool needed for the job. However I can only solve one problem at a time. It's pretty clear that this is for Nikon and the multitude of Nikon cameras listed in their owner's manual. There are GPS systems for Canon but I don't shoot Canon so I haven't done the testing there. Maybe you can do this for Canon.
p.1 #6 · GPS Geotagging on Z8 and other Nikon Cameras
EB-1 wrote:
But you could connect at least two Nikon cameras per device?
EBH
Don't know, haven't tried. You can contact the seller and he can tell you. Report back and let us know please. I don't see why not. The second one would have to be paired with the transmitter as they come in a pre-paired set. I do know you can re-pair a receiver to a new transmitter.
p.1 #8 · GPS Geotagging on Z8 and other Nikon Cameras
A while back another company Aokatec made a bluetooth GPS dongle for the Nikon 10 pin socket and USB. They had a few models, the one I bought needs a Bluetooth GPS logger to capture the data and transmit it to the dongle which is embedded in the EXIF. Sadly Aokatec are gone now but my unit still works and mated to a Holux M-1000C GPS data is captured reliably, even indoors.
p.1 #9 · GPS Geotagging on Z8 and other Nikon Cameras
JBPhotog wrote:
A while back another company Aokatec made a bluetooth GPS dongle for the Nikon 10 pin socket and USB. They had a few models, the one I bought needs a Bluetooth GPS logger to capture the data and transmit it to the dongle which is embedded in the EXIF. Sadly Aokatec are gone now but my unit still works and mated to a Holux M-1000C GPS data is captured reliably, even indoors.
I still have two Aokatec AK-G1 10-pin units from 2013 that aren't bluetooth, but are self-contained and run from the power on the 10-pin. They seem to work fine on my Z8. They even record compass direction!
p.1 #10 · GPS Geotagging on Z8 and other Nikon Cameras
Hello,
so far which is the most reliable solution for Nikon, Z and/or D cameras? I always been fascinated by the idea to add latitude and longitude to some of my photography but never really got deep into the tools, back in time, 2010ish the offer was scarce and expensive, the tools were bulky and power hungry, did anything change to today?
p.1 #11 · GPS Geotagging on Z8 and other Nikon Cameras
A cheap option is to use a tracking app to record a track of your movement into a .gpx file. This is then downloaded into the Map module in Lightroom and as long as your phone and camera have the same time, you can then match the gps position to the photos you have taken.
The .gpx file is essentially a list of time and position, sampled at an interval size to suit the speed of your movement.
p.1 #12 · GPS Geotagging on Z8 and other Nikon Cameras
I used Geotag Photos Pro on an iPhone in the past. It really was pretty easy to start an end each "trip" (day) and took only a few minutes to synch several days of shooting in Lightroom C. However...it IS extra work of the bureaucratic kind which is the wrong kind IMO. I still want the location data placed in the photo file at the time of shooting and don't want to have to buy a Nikon Z9 to accomplish that.
It's pretty clear that this is for Nikon and the multitude of Nikon cameras listed in their owner's manual. There are GPS systems for Canon but I don't shoot Canon so I haven't done the testing there. Maybe you can do this for Canon. 