.cr2 file format lacks distance information

[mike_dodd]

I wonder how many people have noticed that in changing to the new .cr2

file format for the 20D and later EOS cameras, some of the shooting

information that was available previously has been left off?

The lack of subject distance data may not sound a big issue especially

since it was usually rather inaccurate, however I would very much like

to see this information or other lens settings for the MP-E 65mm macro

lens as the magnification factor or other method of getting a scale is

often very important. For example when photographing an insect

sitting on a leaf, is it 3mm or 9mm long as this would be vital for

identification.

[mark u]

The info is there - it's just not in the distance field that's part of the EXIF standard, but rather in the coded Maker Note area, so you need to be using Canon's software to be able to view it.

[mark u]

Perhaps I should add that Photoshop (among others) does not save the Maker Note area, so the information is lost unless you have the original cr2 files.

[mike_dodd]

Thanks. I wondered about this since I normally use Breezebrowser instead of the canon software, so tried the canon software on a few files and still could not see the distance info. Is there a special place to look, I will go and have a rummage using all the canon viewing software I can find including the two lots that came with the 20d and report back. I do still have all the original .cr2 files.