Feature Request - Nikon D800 Flash Info

[alyda]

System Type: Mac OS X 10.7.5
Exiftool Version: 9.20

Hi Phil,

I'm using a Nikon D800 these days and wonder if you have any plans to decode more FlashInfo tags for new Nikon models.

I'm taking an online photography course (Electronic Flash - The Mystery Revealed, ppsop.com). There are a lot of flash variables and, at present, I'm taking photos of the camera and flash settings with my iPhone. Sadly, when I'm on a roll, I often forget to take a snap of the settings after I've tweaked something.

Here's the perl script I'm using to extract the flash info:

Code Select Expand


#!/usr/bin/perl -w
use Image::ExifTool;

my $file = '20130224-06592440_0012561.nef';
my $exifTool = new Image::ExifTool;

$exifTool->ExtractInfo($file);

my $family = 1;
my $tag = 'Nikon';
my $group = $exifTool->GetGroup($tag, $family);

print "\n";
print "---- $file ----\n";

my $info = $exifTool->GetInfo({$family => $group});
foreach ($exifTool->GetTagList($info)) {
  if($_ =~ /Flash/) {
    print "$_ : $$info{$_}\n";
  }
}
print "\n";


and here's the output:

---- 20130224-06592440_0012561.nef ----
FlashType : Built-in,M&Comdr.
FlashExposureComp : 0
ExternalFlashFirmware : n/a
FlashSource : Internal
FlashSetting : Normal
FlashControlMode : Manual
FlashCompensation : 0
FlashExposureBracketValue : 0.0
Flash : On, Return not detected
ExternalFlashExposureComp : 0
FlashInfoVersion : 0105
FlashCommanderMode : On
ExternalFlashFlags : (none)
FlashMode : Fired, TTL Mode

As you know, the list is woefully incomplete. Running the same script on an older Nikon D300 image returns this:

---- 20100625-06552859_0026042.nef ----
FlashGNDistance : 2.0 m
FlashType : Optional,TTL
FlashExposureComp : -4/3
FlashControlMode : iTTL
FlashGroupBCompensation : 0
FlashFocalLength : 14 mm
FlashCompensation : -2
FlashExposureBracketValue : 0.0
FlashSyncSpeed : 1/250 s
FlashGroupCControlMode : Off
Flash : On, Return detected
RepeatingFlashRate : 10 Hz
ExternalFlashExposureComp : -2
InternalFlash : Commander Mode
FlashColorFilter : None
ModelingFlash : On
FlashGroupACompensation : 0
ExternalFlashFirmware : 1.03 (SB-800)
FlashSource : External
RepeatingFlashCount : 1
FlashSetting : Normal
FlashGroupCCompensation : 0
FlashGroupBControlMode : Off
FlashShutterSpeed : 1/60 s
FlashInfoVersion : 0103
FlashCommanderMode : Off
FlashGroupAControlMode : iTTL-BL
ExternalFlashFlags : Fired, [1], Bounce Flash, Dome Diffuser
FlashMode : Fired, External

Naturally, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help.

Thanks.

---
Alyda

[Phil Harvey]

Hi Alyda,

Great!  Thanks for the offer.

The flash information stored by Nikon cameras is really quite extensive, and will require quite a good number of test images.  In fact, none of the custom settings for the D800 have been decoded yet.

I will decode the information for any test images you are willing to take.  Ideally, a few pictures at different settings of every possible custom setting.  We should prove the concept by starting with something simple like the repeating flash settings.  For these, you have control over the output, count and rate.  For each of these, I will need to know all of the possible settings values, and I will need samples of about 5 different settings of each... the lowest 3 sequential settings, one in the middle, and the highest setting.  So for the repeating flash, this will be 15 images.  Shoot them at the lowest resolution JPEG possible, then upload them somewhere or email them to me (philharvey66 at gmail.com) and I'll analyze them.  If all goes well, we can get more aggressive and run through more of the settings.

- Phil

[alyda]

Hi Phil,

Excellent, thanks! I haven't used repeating flash yet, but how hard could it be...

---
Alyda