How to GeoTag with custom subset of GPS* tags?

[MrPete]

An interesting case for this noob to exiftool...

I have a Panasonic TS4 GPS camera that turns out to have a painful bug (IMHO ) -- while GPSImgDirection and GPSAltitude are constantly updated, GPSLat/Lon and GPSDate/Time are only updated about every 5-10 minutes or more.

I now carry a smart phone with continuously updating GPS to take care of the problem...

BUT now I've run into an issue with exiftool: I want to accomplish the following:
  - GeoTag using DateTimeOriginal rather than any recorded GPSDate/Time
  - Have the GeoTag process ignore (ie leave in place) the GPSImgDirection that was originally recorded

Any idea how to accomplish this? I have some ideas but not sure they get me all the way to the end. My thoughts:

A painful but valid method?? -
a) Export all Exif from all photos, both as a backup and because I'll need the info
b) Geotag from DateTimeOriginal (OR if that doesn't work, import GPSDate/GPSTime from DateTimeOriginal)
c) Re-import GPSImgDirection

Is there a simpler method, eg perhaps a way to just tell GeoTag to ignore the GPSImgDirection field?

Thanks muchly,
Pete

[Phil Harvey]

Hi Pete,

I don't know what you mean when you say "geotag from DateTimeOriginal".  This is the default for geotagging with ExifTool.  Unless your are geotagging from a logging device with a digital compass then GPSImgDirection is not written when geotagging.

- Phil

[MrPete]

Ahhh... so it doesn't use the direction of travel to set image direction? Sounds like I'm all set

[Phil Harvey]

Hi Pete,

The direction of travel is used to set GPSTrack and GPSTrackRef.  The direction you are travelling is not necessarily related to the direction the camera was pointing.

- Phil