Loading metadata using EOS Utility 3 is a nightmare!

[timaylen]

I have had years of problems trying to load metadata into the camera using EOS Utility. I have researched so many variables that you need to do in order for the software to work but it takes about 10 to sometimes twenty attempts to get it to click.

I close all photo programs, use a Canon camera USB-C to C cable, use the latest camera firmware, use the latest EOS update....and do it in the order of open app, connect cable then camera on and so often I get the "not recognized" message.

It eventually works but what an awful system that it just can't do it on the first try. I shoot basketball and sometimes only have 15 mins between games and this awful software kills so much of my time.

Does anyone have tips that might help? Be great if there is a wireless option!

Thanks.

[shadowsports · Accepted solution]

Greetings, 

It seems you have a detection or connection issue that is keeping you from uploading IPTC data to your camera.

Since my camera's all appear in my OS when connected, I don't have a way to reproduce the behavior you are experiencing.  

You didn't tell us what body you have or the operating system you are using the camera with?  

Are you using the cable provided with your camera?  Are you connecting directly to the computers motherboard?  I would avoid connecting via a hub or connecting with an adapter.  If Wi-Fi is enabled you should disable it on your camera before making a wired connection.  3rd party antivirus could keep the camera from being properly detected also.

The behavior you are describing sounds like it's related to your computer or operating system and not your Canon product.  When the camera is properly connected and detected by your machine, the EOS utility shouldn't have any problems communicating with it.  

Registering IPTC Information To the Camera With EOS Utility 3.5 https://share.google/jB1fYs7SZnlmZtJ4Y

[p4pictures · Accepted solution]

There is a mobile app, Content Transfer Professional (CTP), that will also add metadata to the cameras. The app is from Canon and is a subscription app, and one of the features is to add the IPTC metadata to the camera. I like that I could have multiple metadata templates saved on my phone and then transfer them to the camera as needed. I have used it with WiFi but if the camera supports it, then a USB cable is much faster, but you will need to check if your camera is supported by CTP. 

More here: https://app.ssw.imaging-saas.canon/app/en/ctp.html 

[timaylen]

Okay thanks for these tips, I will turn off camera wifi as I usually have that on. Yeah using a R3 on a Macbook Air on 14.7.6 and direct to laptop USB port, yes.

[shadowsports]

Mac OS Sonoma also has "accessory security" which requires that you authorize external USB connections one time when devices are connected.  It's part of GateKeeper.  If you enable display hard drives under desktop preferences you'll see a disk(s) icon appear on your desktop when your camera is connected.  If your cameras storage media is not appearing when the camera is connected, there might be a security setting that's keeping the drives from mounting.  

https://support.apple.com/en-us/102282

[timaylen]

Okay thanks, went in and checked this and made sure its set to always allow. Still getting problems. Thought it was because I was using generic batteries, but that's not it. Shut off wifi on the camera too. I might try the CTP app method. Have used that before but not for metadata.

[timaylen]

When linking the camera to CTP, how do you connect it using a QR code (which the app says to do)? I only see a MAC address in the camera. Thanks. 

[p4pictures]

How are you connecting the camera to the phone, and what kind of phone; Android or iPhone?

If you connect with a USB cable from the camera to the phone then it is important to set the camera up to the right communication style for the phone used. For iPhone you need to set camera USB connection app to Canon apps for iPhone, if it's android you can leave it at the default setting. 

https://cam.start.canon/en/C010/manual/html/UG-07_Set-up_0290.html 

If you want to connect with wifi, then you need to start the process on the camera, it's a little like setting up the Camera Connect app, but you need to choose Content Transfer Professional. If the camera displays a QR code it is usually to download  the app, so skip and go to the connection wizard. This then shows the steps and prompts to do steps on the phone. 

[timaylen]

Okay finally found the solution and I had a EOS Webcam Utility program that must have installed as a package with EOS Utility 3. It wasn't running but just having it installed caused all the conflicts. Uninstalled it and now it works immediately (and don't even need to launch EOS Utility 3...it opens automatically when camera is plugged in). Thanks everyone.