Last chance to get Meta35!

For those of you not familiar with this software, it allows you to retrieve shooting data from the following cameras and embed the metadata in your scans.

https://www.filmbodies.com/.../meta35-brings-dslrs-into.html

Meta35 is compatible with the following cameras: Nikon F5, F6, F100, N90, N90s Canon EOS-1V Minolta Maxxum/Dynax 7D, 9D. Meta35 software requires one of the following OS versions for best experience: PC: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or newer Mac: OS X 10.9 to 10.12.6 (Works with Windows 10, doesn't work with the latest MAC OS's). For Minolta: (requires optional Minolta DS-100 data reader, a Smart Media card and a Smart Media card reader) Minolta Maxxum/Dynax 9D (requires optional DM-9 data back for data storage, a Smart Media card and a Smart Media card reader)

I had been planning to buy this to use with my F6 but I kept putting it off. Today I discovered that the Meta35 site is no longer active. I contacted Promote Systems, LLC, the company that makes this product and was told they are in the process of permanently closing before the end of the month. I was told they still had a few of the Meta35 (all three versions) still available and I immediately ordered one.If you want one, act now!

https://promotesystems.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Heck. Isn't film scanning enough of a PITA without complicating the process even more?

The film speed is usually printed on its edge, and who really cares if that daylight exposure was 1/125th @ f/11 or 1/250th @ f/8?

Today I discovered that the Meta35 site is no longer active.

There's probably a good reason for that: The 6 people worldwide who were interested in their software already bought it!

Heck. Isn't film scanning enough of a PITA without complicating the process even more?

 

The film speed is usually printed on its edge, and who really cares if that daylight exposure was 1/125th @ f/11 or 1/250th @ f/8?

 

There's probably a good reason for that: The 6 people worldwide who were interested in their software already bought it!

With the F6 the following metadata can be retrieved from the camera and added to the scanned files.

• Film sensitivity
   
  
• Film number
   
  
• ID number
   
  
• Frame count number
  
• Shutter speed
   
  
• Aperture
   
  
• Selected focal length
   
  
• Lens focal length
   
  
• Maximum aperture
   
  
• Metering system
   
  
• Exposure mode
   
  
• Flash sync mode
  
• Exposure compensation value
  
• EV difference in Manual
   
  
• Flash exposure compensation value
  
• Speedlight
  
• Multiple exposure
   
  
• Auto Exposure lock
  
• VR
   
  
• Date
  
• Time
  

I have the F5 but I also have the Nikon Photo Secretary software and the MC-33 cable. They work fine with Windows 10.

These are all but impossible to find and the MV-1 card readers on eBay are selling for $400-$500!

I have been using Camera Companion from Holy Moose (LINK: Welcome to Camera Companion (holymoose.com) ) with an MC-33 to download the shooting information from my F100 for the past 19-years. It keeps the in formation in a Jet database and has worked well on everything from Windows 2000 through Windows 10; I recommend it for people running Windows systems,

Heck. Isn't film scanning enough of a PITA without complicating the process even more?

Camera Companion never added any complexity to my scanning routine. I would always scan every frame at low resolution to use as a digital proof sheet. The only additional "work" was to plug the the MC-33 into the camera and run the Camera Companion software - matter of a few clicks. Then add a few notes about the roll - developer and time, location, etc. Camera Companion would associated the scans with the shooting data all in one easy to reference place. Is it necessary? No, but I like it. How else would I know that I took the picture of my wife making breakfast on 23 March 2002 on Kodak Gold 200 film (yes that is on the film) at 1/60 sec f/4 using my 50mm f/1.4 lens, in aperture priority, using a center weight meter mode, that the background was -0.3 EV under the flash value, and I used a TTL flash in Normal mode. Is this life or death information? No, but it is fun to know. And now it is all backed up for posterity. I am sure it will end up in some PhD thesis in the year 3503 :-) ,

I have been using Camera Companion from Holy Moose (LINK: Welcome to Camera Companion (holymoose.com) ) with an MC-33 to download the shooting information from my F100 for the past 19-years. It keeps the in formation in a Jet database and has worked well on everything from Windows 2000 through Windows 10; I recommend it for people running Windows systems,

 

 

 

Camera Companion never added any complexity to my scanning routine. I would always scan every frame at low resolution to use as a digital proof sheet. The only additional "work" was to plug the the MC-33 into the camera and run the Camera Companion software - matter of a few clicks. Then add a few notes about the roll - developer and time, location, etc. Camera Companion would associated the scans with the shooting data all in one easy to reference place. Is it necessary? No, but I like it. How else would I know that I took the picture of my wife making breakfast on 23 March 2002 on Kodak Gold 200 film (yes that is on the film) at 1/60 sec f/4 using my 50mm f/1.4 lens, in aperture priority, using a center weight meter mode, that the background was -0.3 EV under the flash value, and I used a TTL flash in Normal mode. Is this life or death information? No, but it is fun to know. And now it is all backed up for posterity. I am sure it will end up in some PhD thesis in the year 3503 :) ,

I've never heard about Camera Companion. Is that software still available? Is oy only compatible with the F100?

I've never heard about Camera Companion. Is that software still available? Is oy only compatible with the F100?

Camera Companion is, to the best of my knowledge, still available. It is for the F100 only. I posted a link to the Holy Moose site in my original post. If you do not get a reply from the site, message me. I am in regular contact with one of the authors. We have become friends over the past 19 years, although we have never met. He lives in Belgium and I in California, USA.

Camera Companion is, to the best of my knowledge, still available. It is for the F100 only. I posted a link to the Holy Moose site in my original post. If you do not get a reply from the site, message me. I am in regular contact with one of the authors. We have become friends over the past 19 years, although we have never met. He lives in Belgium and I in California, USA.

Thanks, I was simply curious about it.

Camera Companion never added any complexity to my scanning routine.

I think you're glossing over the fact that film and frame data have to be manually matched to a particular scan. What happens if you skip certain frames, or scan them out of order?

Besides, the most important datum - location - isn't recorded. Nor is subject type. Those would be the two main headings I'd use for cataloguing pictures. And I doubt that any future archaeologist would give a hoot about the film type, frame number or exposure given. Whereas the exact location might be far more interesting and pertinent.

There's also the 'back to basics' attraction of using film. Completely lost if the camera has to be strapped to a computer shortly after use, and before you forget which dataset goes with which film.

If EXIF data is that vital, why not just shoot digital?

First, please go back and read what I wrote. I wrote that recording the EXIF data is not necessary, but I like to have it. If you do not like it, don't do it.

There were very few Nikon film cameras that were capable of recording shooting data - the F5, F100, and F6 are the only ones that come to mind. And on those models data recording was not activated by default.

I think you're glossing over the fact that film and frame data have to be manually matched to a particular scan. What happens if you skip certain frames, or scan them out of order?

There are two different ways to associate an image with shooting data, If you do it on a batch basis, the scans for the roll must be in a directory by themselves and the name of each image must be in the form nn_Name where nn_ is the fame number followed by your name for the frame e.g 01_ is the first frame on the roll. The (_) separator character is required. Or you may associate each frame individually. I use the batch add. In the case of the batch add, if you skip certain frames, simply skip the number. The program will not associate an image with the data. If you associate the image with the data by hand, you simple skip the missing image, you have no other choice.

Whether or not you associate an image with the data in the database, you still have the shooting data. Photographers have been keeping notes on shooting data for years, by writing it down in notebooks. Ansel Adams kept detailed notes on both his negatives and his prints. My F100 and Camera Companion simply allow me to keep the data without stopping to pull out a notebook and writing it down. And then trying to find the notebook 10-years from now, (or actually 10-years from the last time I shot film).

Besides, the most important datum - location - isn't recorded. Nor is subject type. Those would be the two main headings I'd use for cataloguing pictures. And I doubt that any future archaeologist would give a hoot about the film type, frame number or exposure given. Whereas the exact location might be far more interesting and pertinent.

I am not sure that location is the most important datum; may be it is for you. In any case that is what the "Comment" sections may be used for. I usually recorded the locations, film used, developer, etc. in the comments section. BTW with digital, other than cell phones, most devices do not record GPS location by default. For most DSLR and ML cameras you have to purchase expensive and bulky GPS addon units. If I want location data for my digital images, I usually take a quick picture with my cell phone and later synchronize the GPS data with the images I took with my DSLR. It is precise enough for my purposes. For my film data a notation in the Comments sections like "California State Fair, Sacramento" is sufficient.

As for "future archaeologists" I don't think they will "give a hoot" about anything I have done. As I wrote above, please read what I have written. I followed that paragraph with a big smiley a :-)

There's also the 'back to basics' attraction of using film. Completely lost if the camera has to be strapped to a computer shortly after use, and before you forget which dataset goes with which film.

True, true. So I suggest you go out, purchase a notebook and good pen, so you can stop after every shot to take detailed notes. I would not want you to miss every second the "back to basics" experience. :-) <HUGE GRIN> I really am just joking, I promise.

In terms of Photo Secretary v2 which can run with the F5 or the F100 etc, (but is not available anymore), as long as you have a suitable cable: I have all the PC software and manuals, and some extras saved in a .zip file, if anyone would like it. It includes an exe. installer that will run the software on Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 11. It works fine with both my Windows 10 and 11 desktop and laptop and talk to the F5 just fine.. Gary

3 minutes ago, gwhitegeog said:

In terms of Photo Secretary v2 which can run with the F5 or the F100 etc, (but is not available anymore), as long as you have a suitable cable: I have all the PC software and manuals, and some extras saved in a .zip file, if anyone would like it. It includes an exe. installer that will run the software on Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 11. It works fine with both my Windows 10 and 11 desktop and laptop and talk to the F5 just fine.. Gary

Not any remote chance you have the Mac versions of the software is there?

I was able to get the Mac cable(MC-34?) maybe 4 years ago, but I have searched high and low for the software with no luck. I have "Photo Secretary" and "MC-34" as saved searches on Ebay for probably 5 years and the PC version pops up occasionally, the Mac cord has one or two other times since I bought mine, but I've yet to see the software.n

(and yes I have a computer, or more properly multiple computers, to run it on. I have more Macs than I'd like to admit with 9 pin serial ports and most of them either with a floppy drive to install the software or the ability to accept one if not currently installed).

It's a shame too that they never updated Meta35 to 64 bit for the Mac users out out there. It's not a huge deal to me as I do most of my scanning in 10.6.8 where I can run Nikon Scan, but it still would be nice to run it on a newer computer.

One last thing, EXIF recording aside-at least Meta35 allows you to set custom functions in plain text rather than cryptic numbers. If you have more than one of the same camera, it also allows you to save a set-up and export it to additional bodies. Not sure if Photosecretary does this or not...

For anyone using this, though, just remember that the F100 and N90s do NOT have data recording turned on by default. You need to use Meta35 or presumably Photosecretary to turn it on. BTW, this is one of those elusive "hidden" custom functions people often reference-the other two are related to data handling. My F5 came with it turned on, although of course it was used.

Hi Ben,

Afraid not - I only have the PC version.

Obviously, we are dealing with 25 year old cameras and software, so it's a struggle. I managed to get an Nikon MC-35 lead (sic) which was for early GPS connections with a serial port - 10 pin Nikon lead (male to male) and my PC has a serial PCI card, which I keep for running legacy devices. The correct MC-33 lead? I only ever saw one in eBay in the US with the PhotoSec floppy discs but the seller wanted $140!

G

Hello,

if it's help, I do have the Meta35 software for mac. I use this device for my F6 👍

the download are still there 

MAC

http://m35.promotesystems.com/downloads/Meta35.dmg

PC

http://m35.promotesystems.com/downloads/meta35_setup.exe

5 hours ago, gwhitegeog said:

Hi Ben,

Afraid not - I only have the PC version.

Obviously, we are dealing with 25 year old cameras and software, so it's a struggle. I managed to get an Nikon MC-35 lead (sic) which was for early GPS connections with a serial port - 10 pin Nikon lead (male to male) and my PC has a serial PCI card, which I keep for running legacy devices. The correct MC-33 lead? I only ever saw one in eBay in the US with the PhotoSec floppy discs but the seller wanted $140!

G

Thanks! Figured it was worth asking.

I too saw the F100 listing you suggested and debated about it, but decided I didn't want it THAT BADLY since I have Meta35.

I know this is getting into the realm of seriously impractical, but the Coolscan II(I think-don't hold me to that) was sold in a version that will mount in a 5 1/4" drive bay. I have the external version of this same scanner and at one point opened it up hoping I might be able to convert mine to that version, but no luck. I know it would be impractical and that's not a great scanner compared to even the Coolscan III(much less the IV or V) but there's something weirdly appealing to me about having one mounted in a PowerMac G3 case, especially given that it and all other Mac towers of that age have an internal SCSI bus(the G3 didn't ship with SCSI hard drives or a ribbon cable but the header is there along with an external DB-25 on the same bus) and of course the long and short of that is that having Photosecretary paired with that would be a fun combo.

Would you mind contacting me though and sending me the Windows version of PhotoSecretary? I figure it might not hurt to have it in my "arsenal" and should have a computer around I could make it work on if I ever run across an MC-33.

22 hours ago, gwhitegeog said:

In terms of Photo Secretary v2 which can run with the F5 or the F100 etc, (but is not available anymore), as long as you have a suitable cable: I have all the PC software and manuals, and some extras saved in a .zip file, if anyone would like it. It includes an exe. installer that will run the software on Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 11. It works fine with both my Windows 10 and 11 desktop and laptop and talk to the F5 just fine.. Gary

I have the v1 software and the MC-33 cable. Would be great if you can send me the v2 software. 

Sure. It’s too big to upload here. If you give me your email address I can send it by FTP.

g

17 hours ago, gwhitegeog said:

Sure. It’s too big to upload here. If you give me your email address I can send it by FTP.

g

Thank you very much. I got it but I found out it's primarily for the F100. With the F5 you can't use it for custom settings or remote control. It's only good for downloading shooting data (the feature which I don't care for. I only use this feature to erase the shooting data). 

Hi - wasn't aware of that - hadn't used it for a while. What a shame. If you come across PC Version 1 that is for the F5, please let me have a copy.

Best

Gary

4 hours ago, gwhitegeog said:

Hi - wasn't aware of that - hadn't used it for a while. What a shame. If you come across PC Version 1 that is for the F5, please let me have a copy.

Best

Gary

 

Yes I do have it. Let me find it.

Thanks, that would be great as I cannot find it anywhere....