MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Hi all,

In an effort to improve my photography skills, I have been (finally!!) really scrutinizing the EXIF data for photos with which I am less than happy. Two descriptions have shown up for which I am unable to find an explanation. They are "Subsec Time Original", and "Gain Control". I googled to try to find the answer, but no luck.

Many thanks,
"Mike"

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

I have no idea about the first one but "gain" is the electronic boost applied to the sensor to increase the ISO.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thank you! That makes sense. The EXIF data for my latest photos states "Low gain up". I just changed my high ISO noise reduction to "low". When I looked back at the EXIF on some images prior to my changing that setting, the Gain Control is showing "High gain up". You have solved one mystery for me.

Thanks again.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I don't know how you missed trying to Google it, unless you were hit with too much information to digest!

The Exif specification lists several tags for date/time data. That one is just the sub second time portion of the 'Original' date/time stamp. Note that the full date time stamps are saved as ASCII, with a maximum of 20 characters. But any of the sub second data, while also saved as ASCII, can use as many characters as needed. There is nothing special about that tag...

The Gain Control tag is different. It isn't really Exif data, but part of the MakerNotes data defined strictly by each manufacturer. They don't tell you exactly what it means, but it appears to be a flag indicating some "feature" of the ISO gain control has been enabled, or not. Regardless it has no significance for image analysis or processing as such. It probably has different meanings not just between manufacturers, but between different models from the same manufacturer. Since they don't release exact internal engineering specifications there will not be any specific details about what it means.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thank you so much. I don't know how I missed it in good old Mr. Google, either; but I did! Usually I am pretty good when it comes to finding things out via the internet.

Your response makes a lot of sense. Also, good to know there is nothing I need to be concerned about with that particular piece of EXIF.

Thanks again. I knew one of our tech gurus would come through. You were way up at the top of that list!

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

ExIF is a great learning tool. Rather than looking at "for photos with which I am less than happy" check out the photos of other people that you like a great deal. For example checking out one of my flower photos you would find high shutter speed, open lens, low ISO, and FLASH. On my Canon SX50 which is equipped with a full sensor, full 1/4" sensor, the C1 or C2, custom setting is at those conditions. C1 is a custom setting that you setup ... so each time I take a flower, the camera knows what to do. I no longer have to adjust and fumble.

"Learn from other's mistakes" is an old saying. Well use ExIF and change that to "Learn from other's successes."

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks. I have been looking at the EXIF on the photos I like. There are several BIF/BOW, bird and wildlife, and landscape photographers here on the Hog whose images I greatly admire. Been doing that for quite a while now. Flickr is another site I have been frequenting for that same purpose.

With the exception of the very little landscape photography I do, the conditions I I shoot in can change on a dime. Hence my intense EXIF review of my own images. I am at the stage where I NEED to learn from MY mistakes.

My D7200 as well as my Canon SX50 have "custom" modes. I will be setting them them up for my own subjects.