GPS for Z series Nikons: The new Nikon mirrorless bodies (Z6 & Z7) lack a 10-pin connector; on the D850, this lets me attach a Solmeta GMAX geotagging unit. I often shoot in areas...

Wingscapes

The new Nikon mirrorless bodies (Z6 & Z7) lack a 10-pin connector; on the D850, this lets me attach a Solmeta GMAX geotagging unit. I often shoot in areas without cell phone service, incl. outside the US, so SnapBridge isn't of any particular use. I'm looking for a solution that doesn't require having the unit mounted on the hot shoe (which is usually occupied with a flash for macro photography). Is anybody else wrestling with this problem? Any useful ideas?

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I use Geo Tracker on my Android phone

tommclaughlin

It bothers me greatly that we must purchase a bulky, exterior unit to perform what should be a very simple task. Why doesn't Nikon embed a GPS unit in the body of its cameras? My much smaller, less expensive iPhone 8 put a GPS imprint on its photos, so why didn't Nikon incorporate that function into my much-bigger D850 that cost me four times more to buy?

Wingscapes

Does this work when you don't have cell coverage?

Wingscapes

Amen. This is a problem that doesn't have to be.

tommclaughlin

When I talked to a salesman at B&H prior to purchasing my D850 last spring, I asked him if it had a GPS function and he said it did. I was disappointed when I got it and discovered that wasn't true. I keep it for its 45 megapixel capability and its otherwise a very fine camera.

Wingscapes

tommclaughlin wrote:

When I talked to a salesman at B&H prior to purchasing my D850 last spring, I asked him if it had a GPS function and he said it did. I was disappointed when I got it and discovered that wasn't true. I keep it for its 45 megapixel capability and its otherwise a very fine camera.

I think that was a half-untruth. The camera will register GPS data via wireless links or by connecting an external unit (the true part), but won't collect position data by itself (the fib part).

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Wingscapes wrote:

Does this work when you don't have cell coverage?

Yes, geotracker uses satellites not cell towers

Wingscapes

mborn wrote:

Yes, geotracker uses satellites not cell towers

Thanks, did some research: Android's Location feature does indeed use a melange of satellite, tower-location & WiFi to determine location (depending on what's available, I presume). See, e.g., https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-106080/

There's a great range of accuracy in GPS receivers, and the Location on a phone can be a real power hog, but I need to check it out and see how well it works. I'll see how well SnapBridge works.

Thank you!

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Wingscapes wrote:

Thanks, did some research: Android's Location feature does indeed use a melange of satellite, tower-location & WiFi to determine location (depending on what's available, I presume). See, e.g., https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-106080/

There's a great range of accuracy in GPS receivers, and the Location on a phone can be a real power hog, but I need to check it out and see how well it works. I'll see how well SnapBridge works.

Thank you!

"Power hog" is a major concern with ML cameras and is very likely why GPS is not included in the Z cameras. Also size and light weight are selling features for ML so, less is more.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

The Olympus TG-5 "action camera" has a GPS location logger built in. Yes, it can take pictures in bad weather or underwater and you can drop kick it. It will shoot up to 4K video. As a data logger, you can use an app to update image files from another camera, including Z series Nikons, with GPS location. It is requires only that both the primary camera and the TG-5 are set to the same time and date.

Linckinn Loc: Okatie, SC and Edgartown, MA

There are many available GPS tracking apps for Android or IOS, many of them free or minimal cost. They create a “GPX” file, which can be air-dropped, emailed, Drop-boxed, or downloaded from the cloud to your computer. Then Lightroom or standalone apps like the excellent “Photo-linker” will match the location to your pictures based on the time stamp.

Very easy, no extra wires or hardware, and minimal battery drain on your phone.

Try it.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

I use a Solmeta GPS on my d7200, Not real big , short coiled cord and reasonable battery draw.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Any of the handheld Garmin devices work well. One just has to be disciplined enough to mark each waypoint every time a photo is taken. I did that for years until I purchased a Nikon GPS unit.
--Bob

Wingscapes wrote:

The new Nikon mirrorless bodies (Z6 & Z7) lack a 10-pin connector; on the D850, this lets me attach a Solmeta GMAX geotagging unit. I often shoot in areas without cell phone service, incl. outside the US, so SnapBridge isn't of any particular use. I'm looking for a solution that doesn't require having the unit mounted on the hot shoe (which is usually occupied with a flash for macro photography). Is anybody else wrestling with this problem? Any useful ideas?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

My guess is that you never worked in an engineering department.
--Bob

tommclaughlin wrote:

It bothers me greatly that we must purchase a bulky, exterior unit to perform what should be a very simple task. Why doesn't Nikon embed a GPS unit in the body of its cameras? My much smaller, less expensive iPhone 8 put a GPS imprint on its photos, so why didn't Nikon incorporate that function into my much-bigger D850 that cost me four times more to buy?