FastStone Image Viewer & GPS Data

When I view my RAW files on the latest version of FastStone Image Viewer no GPS data is displayed when I select Image Properties - however if I take them in JPEG format the Google Earth logo appears along with the data. I'm using a K-30 firmware version 1.05 with the GPS unit.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me please as to why the information comes up in JPEG only? The data is stored in the RAW file as I can see that information on the camera screen.

Thanks

Rob

bug in the faststone image viewer?

As I understand it, a RAW file does not contain any exif data. However the raw file contains an embedded jpeg which is mainly used for the preview in the camera so either the GPS data is missing from that or if it is there it is not getting extracted. It does seem the GPS data is there as you can see that information on the camera screen so presumably it isn't getting extracted.

If you wish to check, you can extract the jpeg manually from the raw file using exiftool and check the GPS data in that.

John K

RAW files contain EXIF Data.

Have you tried viewing the EXIF in another viewer? Irfanview for instance?

I can see the GPS data on my RAW photos in that, and in PSE for that matter.

At least by trying another viewer you would know if it was a problem with FastStone, or with the RAW EXIF.

A RAW file without the embedded jpeg would not contain EXIF data! The EXIF is in the jpeg, albeit all contained within the RAW file so I can see what you mean. It seems that some RAW converters are not extracting the full exif.

As I understand it, only jpeg and tiff images have exif metadata (and RIFF WAV for audio files) but not DNG or PEF other than that contained in the embedded jpeg.

John K

Thanks for all your advice. It looks like it might be the FastStone viewer as I've noticed in other programs the GPS data is shown in the RAW file.

Which version are you using? Check on the Faststone web site to make sure it is the most recent.

John K

JAK, I think .dng files do have Exif, since they are Tiff based, but proprietary RAW files rely on the embedded jpg.

Yes of course DNG files contain EXIF data.

but it's getting a little pedantic, as apart from I think the old Nikon D1, all RAW files contain a preview jpg then ergo RAW files do indeed contain EXIF data


The Jpgless NIkon D! RAW file also contained meta data, whether this was to EXIF standard I don't know.