Replacement for the vaporware Nikon MC-35

[peterkrogh]

As I started to try and tag my images, imagine the frustration in finding out that the hardest part of the process is getting ahold of the Nikon MC 35 cable.  It lists for $100, but is entirely unavailable.

I have just received a third-party cable from PC-Mobile, shipped straight from Hong Kong.  It wat $50, instead of $100 plus the $20 Garmin cable, and is considerably smaller, lighter, and more manageable attached to a camera strap. I am using it with a Foretrex 101.

You can find the cable here:
http://www.pc-mobile.net/nikon-gps.htm

Peter

[Terence Dodge]

Greetings

I received a automated notice from BH Video about availability of "MC-35". I think like rare mushrooms this fruit of the Nikon Accessory division is only to appear with moon phases and humidity conditions that few mortals can predict,  by this I imply you stumble over one. ($ 99.95 plus shipping ).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=ShowProduct&is=REG&Q=&O=&sku=370998

Terence

[peterkrogh]

Terence,
The pc-mobile one is a lot smaller, but does has not held up well to my pretty unfriendly mistreatment.  I seem to have a short in the wires that requires holding it at a strange angle to get connection.  THis probably means that it will soon stop working altogether.

The Nikon has such a huge and unnecessary parallel connector that it does seem to be ill-suited for constant use.

As I have played with this, I think the best solution will be something like the Sony - merging tracks with the photos in post production has quite a few advantages over tagging at time of capture.

Peter

[Terence Dodge]

Peter

The Sony looks good, it is a Windows only product, and has anyone said if it makes "nice" with raw settings, the Sony ( aka Konica-Minolta "Alpha" is not listed as compatible with the device on their Sony web site ) SLR is not listed.

I get my exercise unlimbering my D1x with a very simple cable from camera to the GPS ( large, but flexible ). Oh well. below address for the Sony GPS, compat. page.

T

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?CategoryName=&ProductSKU=GPSCS1&TabName=comp&var2=

Terence,
The pc-mobile one is a lot smaller, but does has not held up well to my pretty unfriendly mistreatment.  I seem to have a short in the wires that requires holding it at a strange angle to get connection.  THis probably means that it will soon stop working altogether.

The Nikon has such a huge and unnecessary parallel connector that it does seem to be ill-suited for constant use.

As I have played with this, I think the best solution will be something like the Sony - merging tracks with the photos in post production has quite a few advantages over tagging at time of capture.

Peter

[Sam Rohn]

I'm using a di-GPS mini with my Nikon D200, connects directly via nikon 10-pin port, embeds gps data directly into the image EXIF in camera, so no tracklog synching hassles, cost about $280 w/ shipping -

works only with nikon D200, D2X/s, D2H/s, & Fuji S5, no D80, D70, etc

seems very accurate & fast, SIRFstarIII, draws power from the cameras battery, so it has no battery of its own to die, but maybe reduces camera battery life up to about 30% ? (prob depends on conditions & use) and is the best solution i've come across for geotagging images...

they also make a larger unit w/ its own battery...

sam

[johnbeardy]

Right, I've got the hardware, a Foretrex 101 and the cable Peter recommended, and it attaches to my D200.

And that's where the "but" comes in. When it is attached, the camera won't shoot. Any clues?

John

[johnbeardy]

Moved on a bit. I seem to have to wait. Is there some sort of format I should set - NMEA etc?

John

[johnbeardy]

Hm, I seem to be having an issue getting the D200 to recognize the GPS unit is attached. It knows something electronic has been attached or switched on, but the GPS indicator isn't appearing in the LCD. The Foretrex is setNMEA (baud rate 4800). Grrrrr.

John 

[Sam Rohn]

there are a few discussions on getting the  garmin Foretrex to work with D200 here -

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1021&message=21697810&changemode=1

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1021&thread=21663098&page=1

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1021&thread=21159296&page=1

http://www.imagingsociety.com/weblog/2006/10/gps_photo_metad_1.html

seems results are spotty though, i'm still not sure if i've seen a post claiming success with the foretrex 101, i went with the di-GPS to avoid the confusion...

sam

[johnbeardy]

Thanks Sam - those will take me a while to work through. I actually saw Peter's Foretrex 101 on his D200 when I was over in the US last month, so I know it works and bought exactly the same connector. It's a 2 piece unit, a cable and a Nikon specific attachment GXD2. Yesterday I was able to test a replacement cable at an electronics dealer in central London, but still didn't get the GPS indicator on the camera, so now I wonder if the GXD2 is faulty. I'll ping him for more details of his exact setup once he's back from vacation.

I can now testify that the MC35 is not vapourware. I saw one yesterday at the Nikon specialists Grays of Westminster but it was no use for attaching the Foretrex as it had what looked like a serial connector - as well as being somewhat bulky and expensive. Another difference was that it was 10 pin while the GXD2 had 6.

John

[johnbeardy]

Via one of your links:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=21711132

[Dierk]

I can now testify that the MC35 is not vapourware.

I have one, obtained from the 'biggest Nikon seller in Northern Germany':



It was the last - well, only - one they had had for some time; nobody really asks for it. Hopefully I won't need it anymore soon since Custom Idea's devices are directly attached. Making the whole set-up smaller, lighter and easier to handle.