topic Re: Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data? in Camera Software

Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data?

mglotspeich — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 22:38:46 GMT

HI all,

I do not see any distance data on the EXIF data in DPP. Is this possible?

Thanks!

Mike

Re: Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data?

shadowsports — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 02:47:34 GMT

Greetings,

Can you define "distance data" please? Are you referring to distance to subject, zoom length? Are you referring to range finding capability?

Sorry but I am not clear about what you are asking.

Re: Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data?

mglotspeich — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 03:35:50 GMT

Hello. I am referring to camera to subject distance. Thanks.

Re: Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data?

wq9nsc — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:31:22 GMT

It is convoluted with Canon, DPP provides a relative value but NOT a numeric value in the DPP lens correction tab. It is a very rough relative point between the minimum focus distance of the lens and infinity AND not all Canon lenses report this information. Some programs will generate a focus distance from the rough data Canon provides but it is a rough estimate based upon very coarse input data and is pretty much worthless.

So the relative indicator in DPP lens is about as good as you will get, any specific value provided by another program is a case where the resolution of the generated value far exceeds the accuracy and specificity of the underlying data created by the camera.

Photos below are DPP with lens correction window open using 1DX III and EF 300 f2.8 with relative distance displayed in the lens correction tab of the tool palette.

Rodger

Re: Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data?

johnrmoyer — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:18:54 GMT

Not in DPP except as wq9nsc wrote. But, in exiftool, for the CR3 file and out of camera JPG the focus distance is reported. This focus distance is calculated based upon a standard print size and viewing distance and observer visual acuity and circle of confusion and so might not always be useful.

exiftool -s -G0:2 -"focusdistance*" IMG_3916.JPG IMG_3916.CR3 ======== IMG_3916.JPG [MakerNotes:Image] FocusDistanceUpper : 1.24 m [MakerNotes:Image] FocusDistanceLower : 1.16 m ======== IMG_3916.CR3 [MakerNotes:Image] FocusDistanceUpper : 1.24 m [MakerNotes:Image] FocusDistanceLower : 1.16 m 2 image files read

Exiftool is free software. https://exiftool.org/

Re: Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data?

mglotspeich — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:27:09 GMT

Thank you for the information.

Re: Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data?

mglotspeich — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:35:55 GMT

Thank you so very much!

Re: Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data?

deebatman316 — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 22:21:41 GMT

Note not all EF lenses provide focus distance information. Very old EF lenses lack focus distance encoders. The original reason for adding them was for the revised E-TTL II flash system. All EF-S lenses include a focus distance encoder so do RF lenses. Those very old lenses were usually released between 1987-1992 but there's no rule on when they started including focus distance encoders. Now all EF lenses have focal length encoders in them even from the beginning. The original reason for including focal length encoders was way before digital cameras and Metadata/ EXIF Data. The reason behind this was for flash units with a motorized flash head to adjust the flash tube for the lens' focal length.

Re: Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data?

mglotspeich — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 22:53:27 GMT

Thank you Demetrius. My lenses are all RF and EF-S. I see you have the 550EX flash. I have the 550EX-II and just ordered the adapter to use with my R6 Mark II. I appreciate you taking the time to reply!

Re: Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data?

deebatman316 — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 23:07:21 GMT

First I think you mean 580EX II NOT 550EX II only the 580EX series had 2 versions not the 550EX which was in production from 1998-2004 before being replaced in 2004 with the original 580EX. If you have the 550EX it doesn't have weather sealing and doesn't need the AD-E1 hot shoe adapter. I've never owned any of the 580EX series flashes. Also the 580EX II was the first speedlite from Canon to be compatible with the in camera flash menu. Which was first released in 2007. Older flashes like the 550EX DO NOT support the in camera flash menu. Though the camera can display its current settings but they cannot be changed from the camera menu. Only FEC can be set or changed from the camera as long as its set to 0 on the speedlite.

Re: Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data?

mglotspeich — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 23:18:46 GMT

Yes you are correct. It is the 580EX-II. It has the weather sealing thus the reason for the adapter. So are saying that I can see the settings in camera? I will try when I get the adapter. I did not think that was possible. It is a great flash!

Re: Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data?

deebatman316 — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 23:29:56 GMT

Yes you can change the speedlite's setting from the camera's External Speedlite Control Menu. The last picture that is what my old 550EX displays since its old most settings are grayed out or missing. My 600EX II-RT displays the picture below when on my EOS 5D Mark IV. Your 580EX II will display the exact picture below as my 600EX II-RT. The 580EX II brought this compatibility and speedlites released from there on support it. For more information you can look up the manual for your camera. Settings displayed will be different depending on the speedlite mounted.

Flash Function Settings screen

Re: Digital Photo Professional - Is there any way to see shot distance in EXIF data?

mglotspeich — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 23:32:48 GMT

You are wonderful! Thank you!