topic Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

MissCanon — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 07:37:17 GMT

I bought a used Canon 1D Mark!! a while ago and has ever since been struggling to find a way to erase the first owners name in the EXIF data without using Firewire which seems to be pretty much impossible.

I have access to several different laptops and computers, none of which are ancient enough to have Firewire, and using an adapter obviously is not working according to everyone I have spoken to.

I could, and have pulled my hair and tweaked my brain endlessly to understand why Canon can not come up with an easier solution than the combination of EOS Utility and Firewire. One of these adviced me to bring a computer in, pay up the bucks for upgrading it with a Firewirecard and be all set, but there must be an easier way.

Can I please get some tips, a how-to advice, or do I simply have to contact a local Canon center in order to have this done by submitting the actual camera? Can't I do this myself somehow?

I have of course Lightroom 5, PS and the works and yes, in LR 5 I can do this on each separate photo, but I want it changed on the camera itself otherwise I just might get rid of it.

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

cicopo — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 12:29:29 GMT

From many years on several forums the only way I've ever read about requires FIREWIRE. The reasoning was that it was a faster way to transfer info between the camera & computer when the camera was put into production. I know that Windows XP can still work with a Firewire card but don't know the last MAC OS that will. There are several other functions which get set using the firewire connection.

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

MissCanon — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 14:36:51 GMT

I have no problem finding a computer using XP and yes, of course going through the process of installing a Firewire card is doable.

Some how though it seems so far fetched and a pretty heavy process in order to simply have your own name on your own work.

On the other hand the 1D Mark II is heavy itself too, and not the smoothest to work with in any shape or form.

Thank you so much for your reply, I think I'll simply continue and work a preset out in LR...Mayhaps...

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

ebiggs1 — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 14:46:40 GMT

"I bought a used Canon 1D Mark!!"

What camera did you buy? A 1D or a 1D Mk II ?

The reason they used Firewire back then was, it was way faster than the flakey USB. If you have a Mk II, you know it has a USB port. So I guess this pretains to a original 1D.

In either case I know of no way to do this. As a matter of fact I never heard of, or knew you could put "Author" or "Copyroght" info into a 1D or a 1D Mk II. It is easy with a 1D Mk III.

BTW, Unless you have a 32-bit machine, I bet you can't get Firewire to work at all.

Here is one of my files in PS. You can see the info is blank.

Here is a screen shot of PhotoMe.

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

cicopo — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 16:27:37 GMT

I sill use a 1D2n & 1Ds2 & both need the firewire connection for changes to them. Oddly enough I can't communicate with my 1D4 no matter what computer I use & it's a USB connection.

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

ebiggs1 — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 17:13:20 GMT

I still use mine also but I don't know what info she is talking about. I didn't know you could change anything in the camera itself? I know I can on the Mk III and Mk IV but not the II's or 1D. Plus mine don't seem to have anything in the EXIF file anyway.

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

cicopo — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 17:45:54 GMT

Besides the Author's Name there are many Personal Functions which can be set / fine tuned using Camera Window & the Firewire cable.

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

ebiggs1 — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 19:27:41 GMT

You must think I am dumb as a box of rocks but where do you change or put a "Author" or copyright data in.

Most of what you show above can be done on the camera back. There is no need of a Firewire.

I guess I need to try and find the original disk and reload the software. When I updated Canon's software and they no longer supported the older cameras, I just use a card reader. But I never put my name in the camera and nothing shows up in the EXIF.

So are you saying you can't use the USB cable to do this? As I have no idea where my Firewire is even if I had a place on the computer to plug it in! Man this is going back nearly 10 years.

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

cicopo — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 20:15:27 GMT

NO I don't think that & it's been a VERY long time since I last used any of it. I think it's in the Camera Window instructions of the era rather than in the manual but NO you can't do it with the camera or USB cable. As stupid as it was the USB was for Direct Print (going from memory on that). Here are some fresh screen grabs from my 1Ds2 using the Firewire cable which opened the older (no idea what version) software. I really didn't even know if it was still on my desktop. I have messed with my Authors name because it also has my email info & I sure don't need all the spam.

You can edit (or set) the Custom Functions on the camera but not the Personal Functions.

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

cicopo — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 20:41:10 GMT

I've dug out the SOFTWARE manual which says it's for the 1D, 1Ds, 1D Mark ll & 1Ds Mark ll and there wasn't a change to the 1D2n it will also apply. It clearly states that you must use a "dedicated IEEE 1394 cable to communicate with the camera, both for downloads & to access / change specific functions. .

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

ebiggs1 — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 22:10:27 GMT

I know must have done that when I first got the 1D Mk II and later the II n but I certainly don't remember it. It is coming back now that you have shown me the set-up. I can't even remember the last computer I had with a Firewire plug in it.

It must have been that old PC with Win 98 on it. I know Firewire and 64-bit don't get along well together. I think Firewire was more a Apple thing than PC.

I have all that original stuff around here if I can only find it. I took my darkroom apart about six months ago and it may have been tossed.

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

cicopo — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 22:30:52 GMT

I sold all the darkroom equipment to buy my 20D when they came out. Since then it was a junk room for a while but a few years ago it became the "airplane room" as my wife calls it. It's a bit small but it's where I build / repair / keep the tools & parts etc for my R/C stuff. As for old computers I've got several thanks to a friend who used to buy & sell older laptops. My business software is DOS based so I need spare antiques until I retire.

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

MissCanon — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 06:37:20 GMT

Thank you gentlemen for your time to assist me!

It is a 1D Mark II, my mistake for not making that clear.

Using the USB only allows me to download photos not adjust or change anything having to do with original author or such. The Exif of each picture shows all it should, no problem, except the fact that the copyright/owner name is impossibel to change on the camera itself. And yes, this bugs me agreat deal.

I could of course find a Mac I might be allowed to use, seeing at least some of them still use Firewire but I don't see that happening any time soon. Also of course, send the camera in for service and get it done that way.

If it is this much of an ordeal to fix it, such an important detail I just might simply sell it even though I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of playing with it, as hard as it is to manage, as heavy and as sturdy as an old tank it is. Sad but true... I love challenges but this just may be a bit too much....

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

ebiggs1 — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 12:32:20 GMT

At one time the Canon EOS 1D Mk II was the best camera in the world. How great is it to be able to use such a camera for pennies on the dollar!

You will not only need to find a Mac with a Firewire but also and original DVD with the software. The newer versions of the software does not support the Mk II.

What happens, (I can't try since I never put this info in eihter of mine) if you simply remove both batteries for a least a day or two? Perhaps this will set everythign back to factory defaults even the personal info.

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

MissCanon — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 13:01:13 GMT

That is a great part of it.

I have a crush on my 1D Mk II... I can only imagine the dreamy look I get as soon as I feel the weight in my hands. I adore it, and honestly? Being able to handle and use this very special camera on a daily basis should I want to with all its quirks, and getting great results?

That's pretty darn sweet a feeling... and I am addicted to it. Playing with almost any newer model of DLSR is a walk in the park compared....

I have it all, including the box, cables, the original software..The works.

I'll try the removal of the batteries, maybe it could work.

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

ebiggs1 — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 14:04:33 GMT

I have them all.

There is a real difference between the Mk II and the Mk III. The Mk III is more like any of the newest cameras on the market today. It has most of the "modern" features.

My 1D does not even have a USB port. It only has Firewire. I must remove the CF card and use a card reader with it.

There is a warning, I must tell, once you go 1 series you will never go back. There is just something about the feel of that body and the results it provides, no other camera comes close.

BTW, If you truly want a great 1 series find a good 1Ds Mk II. They are a great buy right now.

In a 1D Mk II each pixel is 8.2 microns in size. These make beautiful photos. A lot of the newer cameras have to drop pixel size in the 5 or 6 micron size. Just to say they have more on the sensor. If it is an improvement, onyl you can decide but I love mine.

Re: Changing EXIF Data on Canon 1D MarkII without using Firewire

cicopo — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 14:27:14 GMT

Yes the 1Ds2 is a great camera with a few things some don't like including the small LCD but they have gone down in price to the point that I'd rather wear mine out vs selling it even if I buy another 1D4 or even newer body. The same however can be said about the 1D2 & 2n which are selling for a fraction of what the used to.