GPS for Canon 5D Mark II

[jwballard]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a GPS tracklog device to use with a 5d Mk II?  While shooting photos I'd like to record locations in the GPX format and then load them into Lightroom to synch with images.
Canon makes a GPS unit that works with the 5d Mk III and  7D. And the new 6D is supposed to have GPS in the camera, I think.  But Canon does not have any equipment for the 5D Mk II.  The only GPS I have used before is the type installed in cars.  I have never used a separate unit, so I don't know which will work well with a Canon camera and which I should stay away from.
John Ballard

[Marc Beije]

Cheapest option is probably to use a basic GPS logger, or your smartphone. I've used a 747A+ unit (about $60 on eBay) for years, and it works very well. You just export its track logs to GPX files, which you can then process in LR4 or a geotagging tool. And of course, it'll work with all your cameras. Just make sure to occasionally synchronise your camera's time to the correct GPS time.

Marc

[jwballard]

Marc,
Can you give me any recommendations for a specific brand/model of GPS logger?  I am not sure what would work well.  Doesn't have to be cheap. Thx

[Marc Beije]

This is the one I've been using: http://www.amazon.com/i-Blue-Bluetooth-Data-Logger-Receiver/sim/B000NK3G2Q/2. It's out of stock at most regular stores, but can still be found on eBay for about $40 - $60 (e.g. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-i-Blue-747A-Bluetooth-GPS-Data-Logger-Receiver-Fast-Post-/220859451790?pt=Car_Audio_Video&vxp=mtr&hash=item336c3fc98e).

I just turn it on and stick it in my bag when I go out. The  battery easily lasts a couple of days (it'll stop recording when your stationary), and using the included software, or freeware BT747 (http://www.bt747.org/), you can export the track log to a GPX file for use in LR4.

Marc

[jwballard]

Marc,
That looks like a good device.  I'll try to buy one on Ebay.  Thanks very much.
Do you use Lightroom 4 with this device's data?  Any advice on what work and what doesn't?
John

[Marc Beije]

No, I'm still on LR3, so I use GeoSetter to add the GPS data to my DNG files before I import them (if you're on Mac, I'm sure there something similar you can use). My workflow:

• Download photos from card
• Download track from logger
• Use GeoSetter to match GPS track to photos and write data to DNG (if you use raw, GeoSetter will create xmp files containing the GPS data)
• Import photos in LR

Of course, if you're using LR4, your workflow will be a little different - if necessary, I'm sure there are people on the LR forums (http://www.lightroomforums.net) who can help with an LR4 workflow.

Marc

[jwballard]

Marc,
I did order the iBlue 747A of of Ebay.  I'll let you know how it works.  I do appreciate your help
John

[Marc Beije]

Cool! If you need any help with the logger once it arrives, just let me know.

Marc

[jwballard]

Marc,
It took me a few tries ( and a couple of weeks) to figure out the quirks of the 747a, but I finally got everything to work well.  And the tracklog loads into Lightroom easily.  I had some trouble synching the time (between camera and Lightroom) but that works now.  Also, at first Google maps worked only on my desktop, and not on my laptop, but I fixed that by updating the 747a software.
Thanks again for recommending a good piece of equipment.
John

[Marc Beije]

Excellent, I'm glad to hear that, thanks for the update!

Marc