Geotagging Device With three intelligent modes of operation including low-power and freeze mode Suitable for: Nikon D200/D2HS/D2X/D2XS Fuji S5 Pro
1 Contents Contents Introducing the GeoPic II ………………………………… 2 Quick start guide ……………………………….………… 3 GeoPic II overview ……………………………….………. 4 GeoPic II basic operation ………………………….…….. 5 Continuous mode (red) ………………………….………. 7 Low power mode (green) ………………………….…….. 8 Freeze mode (blue) ………………………….…...…….. 10 Remote shutter release …………………….…...……. 14 GeoPic II user settings ……………………….…...……. 15 Technical information ……………………….…...……...
2 Introducing the GeoPic II Introducing the GeoPic II Congratulations on your purchase of the GeoPic II, one of the world’s most advanced geotagging solutions for digital SLR cameras! Geotagging is an exciting new area of photography that involves attaching geographical location ‘tags’ to your digital photos. An increasing amount of software is becoming available to take advantage of these tags, for example by placing your photos on a geographical map.
Quick start guide 3 Quick start guide The GeoPic II is powered up or down by pressing and holding the function button and it starts up in the mode you last used. The three modes of operation are called continuous, low power and freeze mode, and can be changed by half pressing the shutter release button then pressing the function button: OF F Each mode has its own colour and operates as follows: Mode: Description Continuous GPS location is continuously sent to the camera if locked to the satellites.
4 GeoPic II overview GeoPic II overview The GeoPic II is designed to be extremely compact and very simple to use, so you can spend time on your photography instead of being confused by a new gadget. A function button is used along with your camera shutter release button to access all of the GeoPic II features. A multicoloured light indicates the current state of the system. The GeoPic II simply slots into the flash mount on your camera and connection is achieved through a high quality 10-pin lead.
GeoPic II basic operation 5 GeoPic II basic operation Slide the GeoPic II into the hotshoe flash mount on your camera, and with the camera off, connect the 10-pin connector to the matching socket on the camera body. The locking ring can be used to secure the connection. Press and hold the function button for a second or two and you will see the GeoPic II spring to life. There are a number of different ways that the GeoPic II can be powered up and powered down.
6 GeoPic II basic operation You can change between the continuous, low power and freeze modes of operation by holding the camera’s shutter release button at the half pressed point then pressing the GeoPic II function button. Each time you do this the GeoPic II will change modes, from continuous to low power to freeze and back to continuous.
Continuous mode (red) 7 Continuous mode (red) This section explains how the GeoPic II behaves in its continuous mode of operation. In this mode, the status light will always be a red colour. The continuous mode is the most basic mode of operation. If GPS data is available, the GeoPic II will continuously update the camera with the current location.
8 Low power mode (green) Low power mode (green) This section explains how the GeoPic II behaves in its low power mode of operation. In this mode, the status light will always be a green colour. The low power mode of operation ensures that GPS data is only sent to the camera when the user is getting ready to take a picture.
Low power mode (green) 9 There will be a fraction of a second delay from the moment you press the shutter release button half way until the camera is ready to geotag the photo. Therefore you must wait until the green light is lit before taking your photo. A beep coincides with the green light, meaning that there is no need to take your eye from the camera viewfinder to know that the camera is ready.
10 Freeze mode (blue) Freeze mode (blue) This section explains how the GeoPic II behaves in its freeze mode of operation. In this mode, the status light will always be a blue colour. The freeze mode of operation keeps the last locked GPS location in a buffer and uses this to send to the camera, instead of live data.
Freeze mode (blue) 11 To start a search for a new position, press the function button on the GeoPic II. This will cause the GPS module inside the GeoPic II to be powered up, until a new lock is achieved. The new GPS location will be buffered and the internal GPS module will switch off once more. The search for a new position can be cancelled by pressing the function button whilst the search is taking place, at which point the last buffered location will be reloaded into the buffer.
12 Freeze mode (blue) There may be occasions when it is desirable to continually send buffered GPS data to the camera in the same way as the continuous (red) mode. This would result in higher power consumption, but there would be no delay before the camera is ready to geotag photos.
Freeze mode (blue) 13 The following figures represent typical photo counts you can expect in freeze mode. Bear in mind that these numbers will depend on your shooting style and camera setup: Mode: Current consumption: GeoPic II: ~55mA Continuous Camera: ~300mA Total: ~355mA regardless of state. Photos: 315 † † GeoPic II: ~55mA Camera (standby/metering): ~0.1mA/300mA Total: (standby/metering): ~55.1mA/355mA 970 Low power GeoPic II: ~2mA Camera (standby/metering): ~0.
14 Remote shutter release Remote shutter release Every GeoPic II is provided with a fully functional remote shutter release socket. The socket is a 2.5mm jack socket which is compatible with standard remote shutter release cords available in shops and online. Custom Idea sells a suitable remote shutter release cord on our website at a very reasonable price.
GeoPic II user settings 15 GeoPic II user settings The GeoPic II has a total of eight user settings, each with different options that can be configured to suit your needs. The settings menu is accessed from any mode by holding the shutter release button half way and pressing the function button on the GeoPic II for around 5 seconds. As the settings menu is entered, the status light flashes white twice.
16 GeoPic II user settings Setting: Option: Description: 1 1 Enables the beep in low power and freeze modes. Beep 2 2 Auto off 1 2 3 4 5 3 Button† 1 2 4 † Meter 1 2 5 Blink 1 2 6 Continuous 1 2 7 Alt. Field 1 2 8 Search 1 2 Enabled Disabled 1 min 2 mins Enables the auto power down after the period of inactivity chosen.
17 GeoPic II user settings 2) Half press the shutter release button once to move from the current setting (setting 1) to setting 2. Two blue flashes confirm setting 2 is selected. Press the function button to enter the option menu for setting 2. A single red flash confirms you are at the first option for setting 2. OF F 3) Half press the shutter release button three times to move from the current option (option 1) to option 4.
18 Technical information Technical information Physical: Dimensions 35mm x 58mm x16mm Lead length 22cm Connector 10-pin with locking ring Remote socket 2.
Introducing the GeoPic II Custom Idea’s newly released geotagging device, the GeoPic II is one of the most sophisticated geotagging solutions for digital SLR cameras in the world. A problem with many DSLR GPS devices is reduced battery life, not only due to the GPS device itself, but also because the DSLR is prevented from entering its low power sleep state. However, thanks to patent pending low power technology in the GeoPic II, this problem has now been solved.
