EOS R5 - Light Source exif value no longer used?

[DaveKennard]

Checking the EXIF on images from my Canon R5 there doesn't seem to be a value for 'LightSource'. Just wanted to check this is correct, and if there is an alternative, e.g. if the same value is now stored somewhere in the makernotes instead?

[NatalyaP]

Greetings DaveKennard,

If using a Canon flash, then the EXIF data may display the information on whether or not the flash was on when taking the picture and may provide the flash type, like if using E-TTL. We cannot guarantee EXIF data will be recorded if using a non-Canon flash or strobe, or when reading EXIF data on non-Canon software. For example, this information can be viewed when looking at the EXIF data in Digital Photo Professional.

[DaveKennard]

Thanks, so is LightSource used for flash only? I presume it is only certain flash models that cause it to be added then? I just took a couple of test shots with my Canon MT-24EX in manual and ETTL and the LightSource was not present in the EXIF on either image.

[johnrmoyer · Accepted solution]

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@DaveKennard wrote:

Thanks, so is LightSource used for flash only? I presume it is only certain flash models that cause it to be added then? I just took a couple of test shots with my Canon MT-24EX in manual and ETTL and the LightSource was not present in the EXIF on either image.

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You might look at the various white balance values reported in the metadata.

While lightsource is in the exif standard, I do not see it in any files from my Canon cameras.

EXIF LightSource Values

Value	LightSource	Value	LightSource	Value	LightSource
0	= Unknown	12	= Daylight Fluorescent	20	= D55
1	= Daylight	13	= Day White Fluorescent	21	= D65
2	= Fluorescent	14	= Cool White Fluorescent	22	= D75
3	= Tungsten (Incandescent)	15	= White Fluorescent	23	= D50
4	= Flash	16	= Warm White Fluorescent	24	= ISO Studio Tungsten
9	= Fine Weather	17	= Standard Light A	255	= Other
10	= Cloudy	18	= Standard Light B
11	= Shade	19	= Standard Light C

File:Other	FileName	IMG_3524.CR3
MakerNotes:Image	WhiteBalance	Auto (ambience priority)
MakerNotes:Image	WhiteBalanceRed	0
MakerNotes:Image	WhiteBalanceBlue	0
MakerNotes:Camera	MeasuredRGGB	535 1024 1024 544
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsAsShot	1856 1024 1024 2362
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsAuto	1853 1024 1024 2356
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsMeasured	1853 1024 1024 2356
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsDaylight	1975 1024 1024 1886
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsShade	2305 1024 1024 1613
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsCloudy	2131 1024 1024 1753
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsTungsten	1369 1024 1024 2929
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsFluorescent	1689 1024 1024 2796
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsKelvin	1975 1024 1024 1886
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsFlash	2212 1024 1024 1683
Composite:Camera	WB_RGGBLevels	1856 1024 1024 2362
File:Other	FileName	IMG_3524.JPG
MakerNotes:Image	WhiteBalance	Auto (ambience priority)
MakerNotes:Image	WhiteBalanceRed	0
MakerNotes:Image	WhiteBalanceBlue	0
MakerNotes:Camera	MeasuredRGGB	535 1024 1024 544
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsAsShot	1856 1024 1024 2362
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsAuto	1853 1024 1024 2356
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsMeasured	1853 1024 1024 2356
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsDaylight	1975 1024 1024 1886
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsShade	2305 1024 1024 1613
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsCloudy	2131 1024 1024 1753
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsTungsten	1369 1024 1024 2929
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsFluorescent	1689 1024 1024 2796
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsKelvin	1975 1024 1024 1886
MakerNotes:Camera	WB_RGGBLevelsFlash	2212 1024 1024 1683
Composite:Camera	WB_RGGBLevels	1856 1024 1024 2362

Canon WhiteBalance Values

Value	WhiteBalance	Value	WhiteBalance	Value	WhiteBalance
0	= Auto	8	= Shade	17	= Underwater
1	= Daylight	9	= Manual Temperature (Kelvin)	18	= Custom 3
2	= Cloudy	10	= PC Set1	19	= Custom 4
3	= Tungsten	11	= PC Set2	20	= PC Set4
4	= Fluorescent	12	= PC Set3	21	= PC Set5
5	= Flash	14	= Daylight Fluorescent	23	= Auto (ambience priority)
6	= Custom	15	= Custom 1
7	= Black & White	16	= Custom 2

If one were interested in the flash,

• [EXIF:Camera] Flash : On, Fired
• [MakerNotes:Camera] CanonFlashMode : External flash
• [MakerNotes:Camera] FlashActivity : 157
• [MakerNotes:Camera] FlashBits : E-TTL, External
• [MakerNotes:Camera] ManualFlashOutput : n/a
• [MakerNotes:Image] FlashExposureComp : 0
• [MakerNotes:Image] FlashExposureLock : Off
• [MakerNotes:Camera] WB_RGGBLevelsFlash : 2305 1024 1024 1611
• [MakerNotes:Camera] ColorTempFlash : 7025
• [EXIF:Image] FlashpixVersion : 0100
• [Composite:Camera] FlashType : External

[johnrmoyer]

https://exiftool.org/TagNames/Canon.html#WhiteBalance

https://exiftool.org/TagNames/EXIF.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20190624045241if_/http://www.cipa.jp:80/std/documents/e/DC-008-Translati...

[DaveKennard]

Thanks for that. So a direct answer would be that yes, there is no value for LightSource. But this is not a recent change, probably it has never been supported in Canon cameras. The nearest alternative is the WhiteBalance value.