Kodak EASYSHARE M853 Digital Zoom MakerNote (EXIF)

[abbyKodak]

The MakerNote of images from the Kodak EASYSHARE M853 Digital Zoom camera include a string with the format "M853-XXXXXXXXX" where XXXXXXXXX seems to be a series of hex characters (0A1272013). This string does not match the serial number stamped on the physical camera body, but does match the last 9 characters of the "Device Instance Path" when the camera is connected to the computer. I cannot find any information for what the MakerNote contains for the Kodak M853 camera model. Does anyone know what this value is? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Additionally, I can only see this value (0A1272013) in the MakerNote by viewing the image metadata in WinHex or using https://cyber.meme.tips/jpdump/# but cannot see 0A1272013 anywhere using ExifTool.

[Phil Harvey]

You know more about this than I do.  The maker notes for this camera are not decoded by ExifTool.  If you have the camera in hand, we could get a set of sample images and perhaps decode some of this.

- Phil

[abbyKodak]

That sounds great. I have attached the first five of a set of ten sample images (each have that same number in the MakerNote: 0A1272013). Let me know if there is anything that I need to change in the image collection or if you need a larger sample in order to decode this number.

[abbyKodak]

Here are sample images 6 through 10.

[Phil Harvey]

Sorry.  I wasn't talking about random samples.  I need a set of test files where you change just one setting of the camera at a time, going through all possible values of each setting.  This should allow me to decode these settings.  We could start with the setting(s) that are most important to you and progress from there.  If I can decode anything useful, at that point it may make sense to extract the 0A1272013, but we would still need to decide on a tag name for this information.

- Phil

[abbyKodak]

Thank you again for your quick response. Do you have any recommendations or guidance as to which part of this all-settings experiment you would find most valuable for starters? For example, is there a particular setting that you have found would most frequently impact the contents of the MakerNote?

Additionally, does the content of these images matter? Could I simply set up a tripod toward a blank wall and change one setting between each shot?

[Phil Harvey]

Yes, a blank image and setting the camera to the lowest possible resolution is best to keep the file sizes down.  I don't have a manual or access to the camera so I don't know what settings are possible, but looking at the tags available for some other Kodak models, perhaps ColorMode, FocusMode, Sharpnesss and other image settings would be helpful.  You can mail the samples to me directly (philharvey66 at gmail.com).  Also, be sure to return each setting to the default before going to the next setting.  As well, tell me the serial number of the camera and I'll see if I can find it in the metadata.

- Phil