Revet Loc: Fairview Park, Ohio

I don't think I will be using snapbridge for picture download but I love the GPS off the phone part of it (since I use the map function in Lightroom). For those that use this function, do I have to reconnect my phone and the D500 with the snapbridge app every time I go out to shoot??

At home, when I am testing it out, GPS coordinates are embedding in the exif data even without the snapbridge app being open, but out in the field I am not getting anything (even though my phone is receiving GPS info). Do I have to reconnect each time with the snapbidge app??? It seems like I might have to connect for remote shutter release to re-connect (which drops wifi and goes to bluetooth I believe). I hope that is not the case since it takes forever for the camera and phone to connect when doing remote shooting using snapbridge. Maybe I am asking to much to just have the phone and camera communicate as long as they are in range.

Any input from those experienced with this function would be greatly appreciated!

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

FWIW -

I would suspect, though I have no experience with snapbridge, that you do need to reconnect, especially if you shut down the app on your phone or it loses connection at any point.

What I do:

I shoot a D7100, so I have no GPS built in nor does it have snapbridge.

I make use of a GPS tracking log to sync with my shots after importing into Lightroom, which works well. The app on my phone always runs and collects GPS data all the time using very little power from the phone. When I am done shooting I can easily download the track log for the time frame and merge it in with the EXIF data in the Lightroom map module.

https://www.followmee.com/

alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

Which version do you use?

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

I use the iPhone version 4.2, standard - one device for a $3.99 one time cost - the web site holds 3 days of logs at a time.

I set the app on my phone to only track during the hours I might be shooting to save power, easily adjusted when needed. Easy to connect to the website after shooting to select and download the track log from computer, phone or iPad.

You can locate multiple devices at no cost, but a tracking log requires an account for a one time cost.

alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

Android for me and the 3 days limit could be a problem.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

They have an Android version, and longer history retention is available as well, along with other options for obtaining logs

As far as 3 days being a limitation... you can download every day, download every hour, download every 3 days so you get the logs you need

I will take a week long trip to OBX over the summer, and just download logs twice to cover the weeks shootings - no problem

If needed I can download every few minutes, no time limits on downloads, the only limitation is how many days of data is retained, as long as you download before it's erased, you have it. Lightroom will easily merge multiple log files matching date and time taken

Just be sure your phone clock matches your camera date and time before you shoot!

alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

I am often in areas with no web access for several days.

I am going to try it.

I will have to remember to change the time on my cameras for time zones, which I normally don't bother with.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

FYI - if you lose web access the phone keeps the log and uploads when you get web access again, so that should be good for you

alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

Ok, that takes care of that. Thank you.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

If you end up using it I would be interested in how it works out for you

alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

I will let you know.

Opusx300

[quote=Revet]I don't think I will be using snapbridge for picture download but I love the GPS off the phone part of it (since I use the map function in Lightroom). For those that use this function, do I have to reconnect my phone and the D500 with the snapbridge app every time I go out to shoot??

At home, when I am testing it out, GPS coordinates are embedding in the exif data even without the snapbridge app being open, but out in the field I am not getting anything (even though my phone is receiving GPS info). Do I have to reconnect each time with the snapbidge app??? It seems like I might have to connect for remote shutter release to re-connect (which drops wifi and goes to bluetooth I believe). I hope that is not the case since it takes forever for the camera and phone to connect when doing remote shooting using snapbridge. Maybe I am asking to much to just have the phone and camera communicate as long as they are in range.

Any input from those experienced with this function would be greatly appreciated![/quote

My experience with using snapbridge with iphone is you had to reconnect. Snapbridge drove me crazy so I stopped using it. Always has felt like an unfinished product when using it with iphone. I have no exoerirnce in using with android.

alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

[quote=Opusx300][quote=Revet]I don't think I will be using snapbridge for picture download but I love the GPS off the phone part of it (since I use the map function in Lightroom). For those that use this function, do I have to reconnect my phone and the D500 with the snapbridge app every time I go out to shoot??

At home, when I am testing it out, GPS coordinates are embedding in the exif data even without the snapbridge app being open, but out in the field I am not getting anything (even though my phone is receiving GPS info). Do I have to reconnect each time with the snapbidge app??? It seems like I might have to connect for remote shutter release to re-connect (which drops wifi and goes to bluetooth I believe). I hope that is not the case since it takes forever for the camera and phone to connect when doing remote shooting using snapbridge. Maybe I am asking to much to just have the phone and camera communicate as long as they are in range.

Any input from those experienced with this function would be greatly appreciated![/quote

My experience with using snapbridge with iphone is you had to reconnect. Snapbridge drove me crazy so I stopped using it. Always has felt like an unfinished product when using it with iphone. I have no exoerirnce in using with android.[/quote]

The Android version of Snapbridge has only two stars. I have not used it yet, but I have it installed on my phone.

Revet Loc: Fairview Park, Ohio

With my d7100 I used a tracking log and yes it works nicely. What I like about the D500 is it puts the GPS coordinates right into the exif data so when you go into LR they show up on the Map module without having to do anything else. I have no problem with GPS coverage since I live near a city but I agree, you can't beat the track log out in the wilderness (ie. outside the city!!). From others online it seems snapbridge is very quirky and I think that is what I am experiencing because it works like it should sometimes and other times not. I guess I can use it when it works, otherwise use the track log (I use Geotag Pro for Androids).

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

For some reason, it seems that the camera makers are missing something. Put GPS and wifi into the camera, NOT wifi just for transferring pictures, but for wireless tethering of the camera so that it can be operated remotely. I added a Nikon WU-1A dongle to my D7100 which gives it wifi good for quite a distance and allows tethering to my computer, iPhone or iPad. Easily remotely managed, including a live view on the computer with software like QDSLRDASHBOARD. I can easily set my camera up 80 feet away outside and control it from my Mac in the basement over wifi.

The camera makers need to just add in the tools and let the users make use of them instead of hiring idiots like Aston Kutcher snapping pictures and needing to share them instantly unedited to his gaggle of fans following him thru the woods.