hjkarten Loc: San Diego, California

When photographing objects, I would like to retrieve information regarding how far I was from the flower, bird, etc., as well as how large the flower, etc. SInce EXIF (?) stores information about zoom level, focal length, why not distance to object? Even an approximation?
Does EXIF store information regarding distance from object in focus? If so, would it be possible insert an automated scale bar marker? My SONY a6500 and A7R4 display distance from object when in manual focus mode, but I don't see that displayed in Lightroom.
It would be very useful for Macro and telephoto work. I am often asked how far away I was from a bird, size of the flower, etc. If accompanied by information regarding the angle subtended by the object, that could easily be translated into pixel resolution for the specific lens and sensor.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You need a detailed EXIF reader, something that displays all the possible values, not just a subset like LR. Then, you need a camera that stores this information.

Personally, I'd just guestimate when asked the distance.

If determined to access the data, refer to whatever free software came with the Sony and see if that data is stored and displayed in their digital editor.

Alternatively, find the EXIFTOOL.exe. It might only run on Windows. You might have to turn off you virus software too to allow the download. If you can get it, and get it downloaded, this command will dump the EXIF to a sorted list from an image file. Then, scan the values and see if you can determine if something like distance to subject is available.


replacing <image-file> with the input name and <output-name> with the target text file name. This shows a JPG. Any file type with EXIF data can be used.

Either include the directory name to where you saved EXIFTOOL.exe and run where the images are located. Or, run where EXIFTOOL is located and add the folder / directory name to where the image file is located, being run in a CMD window.

hjkarten Loc: San Diego, California

Many thanks. EXIFtool.exe installed without problem. Simple to bypass Microsoft Defender, not necessary to turn it off.
Drag and Drop works with SONY Raw files (ARW).
4th and 6th lines from the bottom of the file provide the angle of view and focus distance information.
Lots of other data.
Excellent tip.

Jerry Green Loc: Huntsville, AL

Is the focus distance measured from the front of the lens or the sensor? Some zoom lens move the front element.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Usually the sensor plane.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

What is most important to me would be a calibrated scale on the image that provides a way to determine the real life size of the subject much like a scale on a map does.