If you think it’s a challenge to organize your digital photos, you may find it a walk in the park compared to managing shots from your film camera.
Yes, some photographers still shoot film and scan their images, but without the kind of metadata that automatically accompanies digital camera shots, tracking essential information like shutter speed, exposure, and time of day means starting from scratch with laborious data input.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Meta35, a USB device that looks like a thumb drive, can import and sync your film camera’s metadata to your scanned images. It comes with a Nikon, Canon or Minolta adapter for metadata transfer.
The 💜 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
If you have a compatible camera, you can download and sync data from your camera to your scans. Compatible cameras include: Canon EOS 1V, Nikon F6, Nikon F5, Nikon F100, Nikon N90s/F90s, Nikon N90/F90, Minolta Maxxum 9/Dynax 9/Alpha 9, and Minolta Maxxum 7/Dynax 7/Alpha 7. Not every camera will import the same data, so check the Meta35 website for additional information on how the device works with your camera.
Attach your camera with the included adapter cable and launch the Meta35 software for Windows or Mac to download shooting data and exposure information, EXIF and IPTC data. You can view the metadata recorded by your camera and, after your photographs are digitized, you can pair and embed that data with your scans. You can also use the software to further configure and customize settings for some cameras.
Meta35 seems like a cool device that automates the recording and data management process to a certain degree — but not entirely. There’s still data recording and shot matching needed, but perhaps not as much. If you shoot film on a regular basis, you no doubt have a workflow established already, and using Meta35 could save you some time.
Meta35 costs $149 and is available from the company’s website.
➤ The Meta35 Lets You Easily Transfer Metadata From Select Film Cameras [Petapixel]
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.