Embedding exif data in film images
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Godfrey
somewhat colored
I haven't tried that device ... It would be nice to have actual recorded exposure data in my files rather than standardized info based on my memory or field notes.
The Nikon F6 accessory to transfer the stored data to CF cards is no longer available and costs a small fortune when you can find one used. I've been hunting for it but nothing's come available yet that I'm willing to spend money on.
Currently, I embed EXIF metadata into my film images after scanning by using EXIFtool. I set the lens name, focal length, and use the maximum value of the aperture as reference in lieu of the actual aperture. A typical command-line to do this is:
exiftool -m -make="Nikon" -model="Nikon F6" -LensModel="Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S" -FocalLength=50.0 -FNumber="1.2" -ISO="400" *.dng *.tif
That sets camera make to Nikon, model to Nikon F6, lens to Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S, focal length to 50mm, max aperture number to f/1.2, and film speed to ASA 400 (presuming my standard, Ilford XP2 Super) and applies it to all .dng and .tif files in the directory, which is what I have VueScan set to produce as output.
Easy enough if not entirely accurate. At least I can find all photos made with the F6 and what lenses were used in LR if I so choose.
G
dave lackey
Veteran
That is so cool, Godfrey!
dasuess
Nikon Freak
I do the same with my film scan files... exiftool is fabulous !!!
And it works for digital raw files as well, at least the .NEF files from my Nikon Df. The only lenses I use on my Df are pre-AI manual lenses that have been modified (by John White) to work on the Df. I have ten of them in all and nine of them (24mm thru 300mm) are assigned to the nine manual lens "slots" in the setup menu. This sets some of the lens EXIF fields. But because not all the right fields are set by the camera, it is not possible to automatically apply lens profiles/corrections upon import into LR. Once I figured that out, I wrote a couple of scripts which use exiftool to read the the lens data from the .NEF file, then use that info with another exiftool pass to set all the fields that are required. Works very slick !!! I just need to remember to select the correct lens when changing lenses, which has become pretty much second nature after using my Df for the past year now.
And it works for digital raw files as well, at least the .NEF files from my Nikon Df. The only lenses I use on my Df are pre-AI manual lenses that have been modified (by John White) to work on the Df. I have ten of them in all and nine of them (24mm thru 300mm) are assigned to the nine manual lens "slots" in the setup menu. This sets some of the lens EXIF fields. But because not all the right fields are set by the camera, it is not possible to automatically apply lens profiles/corrections upon import into LR. Once I figured that out, I wrote a couple of scripts which use exiftool to read the the lens data from the .NEF file, then use that info with another exiftool pass to set all the fields that are required. Works very slick !!! I just need to remember to select the correct lens when changing lenses, which has become pretty much second nature after using my Df for the past year now.
Bill Clark
Veteran
Maybe I'm on a different wavelength than what you mention here; with my RAW cr2 Canon files I see quite a lot of exif information when opened in Bridge. And I can add additional information if I want to.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Another happy manual Nikkor user, I see. 🙂
I have seven Nikon lenses now:
Nikkor 18mm f/3.5 AI-S
Nikkor 28mm f/2 AI
Nikon 35mm f/2 AF-D (CPU lens)
Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S
Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 pre-AI
Nikkor-H 85mm f/1.8
Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 AI-S
Nikkor 28mm f/2 AI
Nikon 35mm f/2 AF-D (CPU lens)
Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S
Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 pre-AI
Nikkor-H 85mm f/1.8
Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 AI-S
So all the non-CPU lenses fit in the F6's registers, and I can see the correct apertures, etc, while shooting.
I think I'd like another 180/2.8 to round out the kit. I'll get an ED-IF AF-D model, most likely. Happily, it uses the same filter size as the 18mm so I only need two sets of yellow-green-orange filters for all eight lenses; the other six take 52mm. This makes me exceedingly happy. I shoot almost exclusively B&W with film and, IMO, I can't get what I like in daylight conditions without a filter to give me the right spectral to grayscale transform.
The tricky bit for me, since the gizmo to output the data I would put into EXIF seems made of unobtainium, is to remember which lens made which exposures. Since I rarely use more than one or two lenses in a shooting session, and don't shoot all that much film, it hasn't been a problem.
fun fun fun ...
G
Godfrey
somewhat colored
You're not using non-CPU Nikkor lenses with your Canon camera, I take it. Or you have a Dandelion-chipped adapter which provides the lens information to the Canon body's EXIF data system.
With a film camera, you have to inject the EXIF data into the scanned exposures manually, one way or another.
G
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I went back to the Meta35 site and looked at the product. This is interesting! $150 isn't cheap, but they look like they've done a good job of it.
G
G
Bill Clark
Veteran
Hi Godfrey!
Thanks for the info.
Yes, all of my Canon lenses are made for digital bodies. That must be why I get the exif info.
Thanks!
Thanks for the info.
Yes, all of my Canon lenses are made for digital bodies. That must be why I get the exif info.
Thanks!
Addy101
Well-known
Maybe change the opening post - I was thinking "gee, not again the Nikon F6 :bang:" - it is also available for cameras I actually own: the Canon EOS 1v, Minolta Dynax 9 and Dynax 7. Take a look at the meta 35 website.
dave lackey
Veteran
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
Anyone remember the wonderful Contax Tix, which used APS, and would record the aperture etc and then it could be printed when the film was processed etc? I used to get it printed on the back of the prints automatically.
And, of course, there's the Minolta 7000i etc data recorder card thing...
Regards, David
Anyone remember the wonderful Contax Tix, which used APS, and would record the aperture etc and then it could be printed when the film was processed etc? I used to get it printed on the back of the prints automatically.
And, of course, there's the Minolta 7000i etc data recorder card thing...
Regards, David
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