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Nagarkot Nepal Trekking Photo displayed on Google Map
MarkTu
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An Indian Man at Nepal Kathmandu Pashupatinath Temple, geotagged by MetaGPS
MarkTu
Just came back from Nepal, took a M2 for a field test. Here is the result.
GPSVersion ID: 2.2.0.0
GPS Latitude: 27 deg 42′ 35.72″ N
GPS Longitude: 85 deg 20′ 55.15″ E
GPSAltitude Ref: Above Sea Level
GPSAltitude: 1291 m
GPSTime Stamp: 09:31:03
GPSSatellites: 07
GPSImg Direction Ref: Magnetic North
GPSImg Direction: 126
An Indian Man
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Geotagging, adding geographical information to digital content
MarkTu
Geotagging, referring to the contents of digital items such as pictures being marked with geographic information. For example, a digital picture can be added with geographic information includes: longitude, latitude, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), altitude, and even heading information. These information can be embedded in the photos’ EXIF file.
taken in ChongJiang, Guizhou, China
With software (such as Adobe Lightroom), when you open the photo, you can see the EXIF data, such as:
GPSVersion ID: 2.2.0.0
GPS Latitude: 25 deg 43 ‘23.72 “N
GPS Longitude: 108 deg 51 ‘57.77 “E
GPSAltitude Ref: Above Sea Level
GPSAltitude: 572 m
GPSTime Stamp: 02:19:15
GPSSatellites: 07
GPSImg Direction Ref: Magnetic North
GPSImg Direction: 133
GPSDate Stamp: 2009:10:03This article introduce two of the most popular ways to add geographical information to the photos.
1: Direct write: that is when you press the camera shutter, the geographic information is written into the photo. This method requires the camera itself is able to write GPS data into images. The current high-end Nikon cameras, such as the Nikon D3, D3x, D300, D700, D2X, D2Hs, D2Xs, D200 and Fujifilm S5 Pro and D90, D5000, are able to write GPS signal to digital photos and they all have GPS connectors. All we need is a little GPS receiver (such as MetaGPS , http://www.metagps.com). The advantage of this method is the obvious, there is no follow-up treatment and it does not need any other software.
MetaGPS geotagging GPS receiver Nikon DSLR on Nikon D90
2: In direct write: that is, when you press the shutter, geographic information is NOT written into pictures but stored in another medium (such as CF card). You can use computers to post-process and join the geographic information log with the digital photos. The draw back for this method is the post-processing hassle. However, you can use any camera to take pictures and later on joint the geotagging information to the pictures.
There are many post-processing software, free with locr, PhotoMapper, etc., the software can import GPS logs and digital photos, and then join the GPS coordinates with digital photos.
When you have the geotagged photos, you can upload them to flickr. Flickr use yahoomap to display geotagged images for each specific location. Of course, the best location display software or google earth or google map. Many website such as panoramio.com or locr.com display the pictures with location using google map. http://www.panoramio.com/
Beijing Atlantic City on googlemap
With geotagged picture, people around the world not only can see you photos, then can also see where your photos are taken. Of cause, you can also take a virtual tour around the world with google map and the geotagged photos other people take.
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FAQ (frequent asked questions):
MarkTu
What is MetaGPS?
MetaGPS is a small and compact unit that attached to Nikon DSLR cameras. It will receive GPS signals and embed GPS coordinates in the digital pictures. This is called Geotagging.What can I do with geotagged digital pictures?
There are many ways that you can use the geotagged digital pictures. You can put the pictures in Google map and share them with others. People can see what a particular place look like from your picture and know the exact location.Who is behind MetaGPS Inc.?
MetaGPS Inc. is founded in 2008 by a group of travel and outdoor enthusiastic. Our US warehouse is located in Miami, Florida.Can MetaGPS units work with Canon cameras or my point and shoot camera?
Unfortunately, no. It can only work with Nikon DSLR cameras.What is your shipping method and cost?
If you live in the US, we ship via UPS from our Miami, Florida warehouse .The shipping cost within the US address is: $14. You can expect the product within 5 business days.
If you live outside the US, we ship the products via FedEx or UPS international express mail from our Shenzhen, China warehouse. The shipping cost is: $27. You can expect the product within 5 business days.
We will email tracking number so you know when to expect the product.If I buy more than one item, do you combine shipping?
Yes, the shipping cost listed above is for one shipping address no matter how many items you buy. For example, if you live in the US and purchase two MetaGPS units in one order, the shipping cost is still $14.Do you sell C10 or C90 cable without the MetaGPS unit?
No. we do not sell C10 or C90 without the MetaGPS unit. However, you can purchase an additional cable (either C10 or C90) for $USD 19 with the purchase of a MetaGPS unit. We offer free shipping for the cable if it is shipped together with a MetaGPS unit.What if there is a problem with your product?
We have strict quality control standard. Every MetaGPS units are tested before they are released to market. We stand behind our products and offer one year limited warranty. We will repair or exchange any defects free of charge within one year from your purchase date. Please contact us for trouble shooting before returning any products. The performance of MetaGPS unit depends on many uncontrollable situations such as the weather condition, and location, etc. We are glad to help you resolving any issues. In case of a defective unit is found, please return it to our Miami, Florida warehouse. We are responsible for the shipping cost for sending the repaired or exchanged item back to you. You may be responsible for shipping cost of the item for sending the item to our Miami, Florida warehouse.Do you have a warehouse in Europe?
Currently, no.Can I become a dealer for MetaGPS?
Please drop us a line at: info@metagps.com . Please write your business type and sales volume per month for your main products. Our sales team will contact you.What if I have other questions or suggestions?
We’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to contact us via email: info@metagps.com, via Skype: MetaGPS, or via telephone: 1-630-780-6675. -
MetaGPS M1 is available for purchase!
MarkTu
We are very exited to announce the immediate release of our MetaGPS M1 products. Customers can purchase these items from our website through the secure Paypal payment system.
We have been testing MetaGPS M2 (with electronic compass) for a few months now. It now looks like a solid product with accurate heading readings. We expect to release M2 very soon. -
MetaGPS in Action, GuiZhou, China
MarkTu
We took a few MetaGPS units for a field trip to the Guizhou province, China. Here are a few pictures we took and the GPS information embedded in the EXIF file.
During the trip, MetaGPS units performed as expected. We switched the units to on every morning and kept them on all day during shooting. The units went in to sleep mode as soon as the camera power switched off. It usually took 1-2 minutes every morning to lock on the GPS signals. After that, every time the camera power switched off and on again, the MetaGPS units could lock on the GPS signals in about 5 seconds. That is very useful in a day of hiking when we needed to shoot some unexpected finds.
We did however discover some connection problems in the USB connector. Occasionally, we had to hold the USB connector so that the unit can send signal to camera.
Now our engineering team is working with the USB connector supplier to resolve this.
There are a few more glitches to solve, such as the electronic compass sensitivity issue. We are very close to release the product.
Miao minority people in Guizhou, China
GPSVersion ID: 2.2.0.0
GPS Latitude: 25 deg 43′ 23.72" N
GPS Longitude: 108 deg 51′ 57.77" E
GPSAltitude Ref: Above Sea Level
GPSAltitude: 572 m
GPSTime Stamp: 02:19:15
GPSSatellites: 07
GPSImg Direction Ref: Magnetic North
GPSImg Direction: 133
GPSDate Stamp: 2009:10:03
A Miao Minority Village in Guizhou, China
GPSVersion ID: 2.2.0.0
GPS Latitude: 25 deg 50′ 1.19" N
GPS Longitude: 108 deg 56′ 52.90" E
GPSAltitude Ref: Above Sea Level
GPSAltitude: 577 m
GPSTime Stamp: 08:09:22
GPSSatellites: 06
GPSImg Direction Ref: Magnetic North
GPSImg Direction: 33
GPSDate Stamp: 2009:10:03
- A MetaGPS mounted on a Nikon D90 in Libo, Guizhou, China
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Added a platform
MarkTu
Based on the field test result, we made some structure change to the MetaGPS shell. The added platform will ensure proper connection and ensure longer product life.
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Strap Adapter
MarkTu
We made a strap adapter for the MetaGPS unit. It can be attached to the strap adapter instead of the hotshoe. However, M2 (with electronic compass) shall still be mounted on the hotshoe to ensure correct heading readings.
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MetaGPS will work on both D90 and D300
MarkTu
As the title said, we resolved some technical issues and now the same MetaGPS will work on both D300 (with connection cable C10) and D90 (with connection cable C90).
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English user manual is finished
MarkTu
Our designer has just finished the English version of the user manual. It is much better than I expected. Instead of using just the product photo, she hand drew the product images. I did not notice that most of the professionally designed user manual is all hand drew. That is something new to me.
The user manual is very professional looking.
