SL2 and GPS tagging

[MediaFotografie]

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back to the GPS topic, I have good results with FOTOS APP and SL2 (over BT) in general - as long as the iPhone doesn't switch to lock screen; then the connection brokes after a short time. Unlocking the iPhone for 1 second is sufficient to reestablish GPS data.

Nikon has solved all this problems, but they need a long time too.

[hotshew]

" I have good results with FOTOS APP and SL2 (over BT) in general - as long as the iPhone doesn't switch to lock screen"

This sentence contradicts itself IMO. I.e., "As log as no lock screen" does not equate to good results.

Agreed that FOTOS app works well so long as app stays in foreground and no lock screen, but this is not a realistic use-case scenario. For phone to be a replacement solution for lack of integrated GPS function, it needs to be transparent to user and always present after initial configuration. Even then (difficult to achieve in practice), it's sub-optimal relative to an integrated solution because, while rare, there are times that I don't have my phone with me or where the battery is low and want to conserve power.

 

Edited August 11, 2020 by hotshew
Clarification

[hesyversen]

Still no hardware solution available? Anyone tried attaching the visioflex?

[scott kirkpatrick]

Visoflex doesn't attach to an SL or SL2.

[US00678]

Hi all, any idea why no GPS data seems attached to the pictures despite the fact the "satellite" icon appears on the EVF while shooting?

I've tried FOTOS both on iOS and Android, same thing.

Thanks.

[Bernd B.]

As far as a Leica-employee told me, there are technical and software-related issues using the Leica-app, the SL2 and a smartphone, when it comes to „long term connection“. In short: when they started with this app-solution they did not consider it would be that tricky in the end. Sorry for my English, by the way. Even with new iOs, new SL2-firmware the GPS-issue persists: The „gps-connection“ between SL2 and smsrtphone/Leica-App quits after some 2 minutes. My solution: Using a gps-tracker on the iPhone, send the data to my Onedrive-Cloud and import the data to Lightroom, doing the geo-tagging from there. Kind of unworthy, but it works. 

[hesyversen]

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On 8/29/2020 at 1:03 PM, Bernd B. said:

As far as a Leica-employee told me, there are technical and software-related issues using the Leica-app, the SL2 and a smartphone, when it comes to „long term connection“. In short: when they started with this app-solution they did not consider it would be that tricky in the end. Sorry for my English, by the way. Even with new iOs, new SL2-firmware the GPS-issue persists: The „gps-connection“ between SL2 and smsrtphone/Leica-App quits after some 2 minutes. My solution: Using a gps-tracker on the iPhone, send the data to my Onedrive-Cloud and import the data to Lightroom, doing the geo-tagging from there. Kind of unworthy, but it works. 

Can you please explain more in detail how to do this?

[hotshew]

On 8/29/2020 at 4:03 AM, Bernd B. said:

In short: when they started with this app-solution they did not consider it would be that tricky in the end.

That's pretty sad, if true. I.e., to have so grossly underestimated the challenges associated with substituting an integrated function with a persistent smartphone connection.

[Bernd B.]

It‘s quite simple: installing a gps-tracker-app on the smartphone, running it while talking pics. Then copying the file to my cloud (in my case: microsoft onedrive), it‘s synced with a folder on my computer. As soon as I start the computer, the file is copied to a folder there. Then I start Lightroom, using the geo-tagging option (just google it, works quite easily). 

[SrMi]

8 minutes ago, Bernd B. said:

It‘s quite simple: installing a gps-tracker-app on the smartphone, running it while talking pics. Then copying the file to my cloud (in my case: microsoft onedrive), it‘s synced with a folder on my computer. As soon as I start the computer, the file is copied to a folder there. Then I start Lightroom, using the geo-tagging option (just google it, works quite easily). 

I use a GPS tracking app as well, but I prefer a built-in GPS. The main issue with GPS tracking app is to remember to turn it on and to synchronize the time between camera and phone.

[Bernd B.]

The time-sync between phone and camera is no problem, when both are set to the same time. And Lightroom automatically tags time and fitting photos by reading the exif-data. But of course, this is no compare to built-in-gps, which we are going to find for sure in the SL3 ... 

[hirohhhh]

As I understand, they completely removed the GPS hardware from SL2 and it won't be possible to have geotagging feature back someday through the firmware update?

[SrMi]

56 minutes ago, hirohhhh said:

As I understand, they completely removed the GPS hardware from SL2 and it won't be possible to have geotagging feature back someday through the firmware update?

Correct. GPS hardware has been removed from SL2.

[hotshew]

3 hours ago, hirohhhh said:

As I understand, they completely removed the GPS hardware from SL2 and it won't be possible to have geotagging feature back someday through the firmware update?

Yep, no integrated GPS receiver means SOL.

Naturally, you'd be right to assume the SL2 includes GPS given its presence in the SL. It seems Leica naively thought they could replace an integrated hardware solution with a smartphone app, they removed it as cost cutting measure, or they decided to let function follow form because some people complained about the hump on the SL.

It's unfortunate because the SL2 would otherwise be a no compromises landscape camera, with its ruggedness, weather sealing, and high MP sensor. IMO, Leica showed poor judgement in their decision to remove GPS. As a consolation prize to SL2 owners, it would be nice if Leica can provide a hotshoe GPS module similar to the original Hassy X1D (which Hassy upgraded to included integrated function in the v2 model), the Canon EOS R5, and of course the M10 (via the EVF).

[SrMi]

13 minutes ago, hotshew said:

Yep, no integrated GPS receiver means SOL.

Naturally, you'd be right to assume the SL2 includes GPS given its presence in the SL. It seems Leica naively thought they could replace an integrated hardware solution with a smartphone app, they removed it as cost cutting measure, or they decided to let function follow form because some people complained about the hump on the SL.

It's unfortunate because the SL2 would otherwise be a no compromises landscape camera, with its ruggedness, weather sealing, and high MP sensor. IMO, Leica showed poor judgement in their decision to remove GPS. As a consolation prize to SL2 owners, it would be nice if Leica can provide a hotshoe GPS module similar to the original Hassy X1D (which Hassy upgraded to included integrated function in the v2 model), the Canon EOS R5, and of course the M10 (via the EVF).

The external (mountable) GPS receivers are not practical, IMO. It caused me troubles on X1D, and on Nikon DSLRs (falling off, clumsy). Best is the integrated one (S3, SL, X1D).

[hotshew]

Agreed, external is suboptimal (also need to remember to turn them on), but a better solution than Smartphone IMO.

[SrMi]

15 minutes ago, hotshew said:

Agreed, external is suboptimal (also need to remember to turn them on), but a better solution than Smartphone IMO.

I am uncertain, which I prefer. The smartphone tagging has the advantage to be always on; there is no wait for GPS acquisition once you turn on the camera. On the other hand, with smartphone tagging, you need to manage the GPX tracks and turn the tracking on/off on the phone.

[hirohhhh]

Yeah, I read couple times about the "hump", which I didn't even notice for 5 years owning SL and using it daily. Compromising GPS to remove the hump is something beyond my understanding. I'd understand if it's the iPhone with no humps and buttons and zero distraction, but that's not the case with any camera.

Anyway, smartphone app is impractical to me because I occasionally  take the camera dozens of time a day to shoot each and everything, and I won't think about the app every time.

I'm a bit sticker about geo-tagging and I have a smart collection that lists all untagged photos so I have to tag them manually, and this collection always have to be zeroed. It will make almost impossible with SL2 and I'll have to learn to ignore that and live with untagged photos

Edited September 5, 2020 by hirohhhh

[Manicouagan1]

Is the whole issue on GPS built into cameras driven that some countries forbid the use of satellite navigation.  The camera manufacturers don't want to antagonize those countries.  The only two recently released full frame cameras with GPS seem to be the Pro-sports oriented Canon 1Dx Mark III and the Nikon D6.  Those two cameras were designed and their release scheduled in part for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan, a country which allows use of satellite navigation.  

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[SrMi]

41 minutes ago, hirohhhh said:

Yeah, I read couple times about the "hump", which I didn't even notice for 5 years owning SL and using it daily. Compromising GPS to remove the hump is something beyond my understanding. I'd understand if it's the iPhone with no humps and buttons and zero distraction, but that's not the case with any camera.

Anyway, smartphone app is impractical to me because I occasionally  take the camera dozens of time a day to shoot each and everything, and I won't think about the app every time.

I'm a bit sticker about geo-tagging and I have a smart collection that lists all untagged photos so I have to tag them manually, and this collection always have to be zeroed. It will make almost impossible with SL2 and I'll have to learn to ignore that and live with untagged photos

I doubt that the GPS was removed because of the 'hump.' Has Leica commented on the reason for removal in SL2?
You can start the GPS tagging app in the morning and let it run the whole day. It does not consume the phone battery that much. It is still not as convenient as the built-in one.