EXIF data & focus distance

[ctrollen]

What causes the focus distance to be (or not to be!) in the EXIF data? Is it a function of the camera, lens, software or what?

Jeff's recent shots of the diving kestrel have it (80D + Sigma 150-600S), Carol's shot of the red kite does as well (7D2 + 100-400ii) but mine don't (80D + 100-400ii).

[Stan]

Re: EXIF data & focus distance

It is in the exif data but,at least with mine, the full information, including the approximate focus distance, seems to be only available when viewing the image on flickr. The basic info of shutter speed, aperture, ISO and focal length is automatically shown and if you click on "show exif" just below, the full information is shown including distance.

I have checked the properties on both my raw and jpegs on the computer and only basic info is available under "properties" and similar once opened on photoshop and choosing file properties

Why the difference I dont know

Stan

[Swanny48]

Re: EXIF data & focus distance

I've often wondered the same thing. Mine doesn't appear either in Lightroom or Flickr but I have sometimes noticed, others with the same camera and lens, do have the distance shown

John

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: EXIF data & focus distance

Some cameras don't put distance in - my Fuji doesn't but 7D2 does - but both of the cameras you mention clearly do so it may well be that the different tools used to process the shots strip some of the data from the EXIF in the final JPEG? Odd thing to do though...

If you want to see what's in your exif data then this IMHO is the best tool for it, assuming you're used to using a command line, https://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/

On a Mac it allows you to do three things - look at the EXIF data, lets you use that data to modify file characteristics, e.g. set the file creation date to the date from the EXIF, or modify EXIF to do stuff like add keywords, which are then read by Flickr when uploaded.

[ctrollen]

Re: EXIF data & focus distance

Thanks Andy. That tool does show two values for Focus Distance Upper and Focus Distance Lower, which appear to have some approximation to what I might expect from the shots I checked. I'm still none the wiser as to why Flickr shows it for some people's shots and not others, though!

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: EXIF data & focus distance

Yes, I think Flickr shows an average of the two. What do you post-process using?

[ctrollen]

Re: EXIF data & focus distance

Just DPP4 usually, or Affinity Photo if I'm doing anything a bit more involved.

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: EXIF data & focus distance

Interesting, I would have thought DPP4 would have retained EXIF data like that. I know Lightroom etc. does as that's what I use...

[ctrollen]

Re: EXIF data & focus distance

Well, quite...!

[antoeknee]

Re: EXIF data & focus distance

If you are using Windows, right click on the image, select properties and the details tab. Some data will be shown, distance normally one.

While back did have a freeware viewer published by opanda IIRC.