Nikon D700 - DIY GPS Project - The Build

Parts list
1 x 2K2 Resistor
2 x 4K7 Resistor
1 x 10K Resistor
1 x 2N222A NPN transistor

1 x USGloblSat EM-406A GPS module
1 x USGloblSat header cable (Got both of these items from from Starlite-intl) otherwise you can get them here if you live in Australia.
1 x Hammond Miniature ABS enclosure P/N: 1551RFLBK or 1551RK
1 x Nikon 10 pin connector DIY cable (Got mine from Stellardesign on ebay)
1 x Hot shoe (pc sync port) adapter
1 x Veroboard
1 x length of ribbon cable. had some lying around.
1 x heat shrink tubing, small ones. had some lying around
1 x 40 way header pin

Tools Required

• soldering iron
• dremel
• wire cutters
• pliers
• solder
• voltmeter
• Power supply

GPS circuit diagram - click for larger view

Testing on breadboard

I tested the circuit design on my breadboard and made sure that it was working correctly before building it on veroboard. Once the red LED starts blinking you are in business.

To simplify the build I laid it all out on graph paper before soldering anything. I worked out exactly where all the components, links and cuts had to be. I also measured and cut the veroboard to size so that it fits into the case. I also notched out on diagonal corners so that the veroboard fitted around the column where the top lid screwed into.

GPS module interface to Nikon D700 completed

Once I am happy that everything fitted correctly then I start soldering the components together. Double checked everything has been done correctly and when you are confident that all is 100%. You can plug the 10 pin connector into the D700 and you should start seeing the GPS symbol blinking on the top panel.

Top view of completed circuit

Veroboard with the level converter circuitry, Nikon 10 pin connector and the 2.5mm stereo jack all wired up. Ready to be mounted into the case.

2.5mm Stereo jack connection to Nikon 10 pin connector

Close up of the 2.5mm Stereo jack and Nikon 10 pin connector. I also made sure that all soldered wires were heat shrunk to eliminate any short circuits.

Connect the following wires on the 2.5mm stereo socket to the Nikon 10 pin connector.

• Red wire - auto-focus - Pin 9
• Orange wire - shutter release - Pin 4
• Yellow wire - ground - Pin 6

Side view of circuit

Close-up of the level converter circuitry. It converts the 3.2V signal from the GPS to 5V for the Nikon D700.

Hole for 2.5mm stereo jack

Hole drilled for the 2.5mm stereo jack. Required for remote shutter release. Do the drilling at the lowest possible torque.

Top view of inside of case

Removed pcb support as it gives extra clearance (height) so the GPS module can fit in. I used the Hammond Miniature ABS enclosure P/N: 1551RFLBK, you should get the one without the flange 1551RBK!

Nice job

Cable relief

Cable strain relief for Nikon 10 pin connector. I used my dremel to ensure a snug fit. Take your time.

Tight fit!

All snugly packed into the case. This is where I plugged it into the D700 for the final test before screwing the lid on.

Hot shoe adapter - pc sync port.

I wanted to have the GPS unit mounted on top of D700. To achieve this I bought a hot shoe adapter off ebay.

Hot shoe pulled apart. Only held together with two screws.

We are only interested in the bottom half.

The plan is to cannibalise it just for the base. I made sure that it could be pulled apart before I bought it. It involves removing 2 screws which takes less than 10 seconds.

Top view of hot shoe

I cut a piece of scrap veroboard, using my dremel, and glued it onto the hot shoe to make a platform. I can now use glue, velcro or double-sided tape to attach the hot shoe base onto the GPS case.

The Finished Product

Check-out part 1 of DIY GPS Project.

Zack Arias - An Inspirational video for all photographers

I just watched this video by Zack Arias. He was doing a guest blog for Scott Kelby. I found it both moving and inspirational. I highly recommend that you watch it.

Lowepro Classified 160 AW

Just browsing through a camera shop the other day and my friend pointed out a new Lowepro camera bag to me, the Lowepro Classified 160AW. One which I have never seen before, he told me it was pretty new on the market, only released to world back in November.

Hmm, very nice I thought. Doesn't even look like a camera bag. Very stealthy, won't attract those camera theives. I opened it up had a good look at the innards, looked well padded, in a light greyish material.

I needed a new camera bag as I recently discovered that my new Nikon D700 and 14-24mm combo will longer fit into my faithful Lowepro slingshot 100.

I decided to go home and find out more about this camera bag. I found a couple of reviews both had goods things to say about it. I then found an online retailer in Sydney selling them for only $215 AUD. Nice.

I called them up and asked if we could come and check if my camera and lenses would fit. My kit consists of a Nikon D700, Sigma 70-200mm, Nikon 14-24mm and Nikon 50mm. They said no problems. Anyway, everything fitted nicely and only comes in two colours, black or sepia (looks more khaki to me). I got the sepia.

Outside - Lowepro Classified 160 AW

Front View

Back View

The outside of the bag is made from nylon, looks and feels quite tough and durable. Will definitely be able to stand up to the elements. The stitching is uniform and straight which good news. The shoulder strap is padded provides cushioning and relief for the "poor" shoulder when the bag is fully loaded.

There are 3 separate compartments, 2 in the front and one at the back.

First compartment

The opened zipper you can see is not another compartment, it is a gusset to allow for expansion if additional capacity is required.

Second compartment with memory card wallet

Memory card wallet opened

The memory card wallet can hold up to 6 CF cards.

Third compartment is around the back

Uniform and straight sticthing - check the discrete logo

Uniform and straight sticthing

Buckle for attaching the strap

Lowepro Logo - very discrete

The Lowepro logo is more discrete, which is excellent. I really hated the logos on my other Lowepro bags. It's a beacon for camera theives.

Inside - Lowepro 160AW

The interior is grey padded material, nice and soft. There are 3 separate compartments. The center one has leather trimming on the top where the camera rests with an adjustable support pad depending on the length of your lens.

The compartment on the left has 2 separate pouches on opposite sides, one at the top and other at the bottom. The one at the top contains a microfibre cloth, the bottom is empty for storage. Closer inspection revealed that the compartments can be adjusted to suit, they are held in place by velcro.

View of the inside - coat hanger used to keep it opened

Can I really fit these items in?

Sigma 70-200mm and Nikon 50mm in first

Nikon D700 with 14-24mm last to go in

With everything packed in the bag does not look bloated at all. Check both views of the bag. Still pretty streamline. Nice.

Horizontal View

Vertical View

The only annoying thing is that whenever I pull my Nikon D700 & 14-24mm out the lens cap on the 14-24mm gets left behind. This only happens when the Sigma 70-200mm is packed in. I guess the girth of the Sigma pushes the padding against the 14-24mm lens cap and holds it in place as the D700 is pulled out.

It is also a tad heavy, not sure if I would want to walk around for long periods with his across my shoulder. I bought it mainly to the carry my 14-24mm and 50mm. If I need to carry all 3 lenses then I will resort to my Lowepro micro trekker 200 which is more comfortable and less stress on the shoulder.

I have only ever taken the bag out with just the Nikon D700 & 50mm combo. It was very comfortable but that combination didn't exactly weigh that much. I will test it with the Nikon 14-24mm next time and see how that goes. I let the bag hang around waist height as it allows me access to the camera quite comfortably and easily.

Update:

I took it out on the weekend with both the 14-24mm & 50mm. It was very comfortable, my shoulder didn't get sore and I never took the bag off once in over 2 hours. It was quite handy as I was able to store the 14-24mm lens cap safely inside the bag and was able to quickly retrieved it when I needed to replaced the lens cap back onto the lens.

All weather (AW) - Classified 160 has its own built-in "rain coat"

Hidden in a secret pouch at the back

Back View

Front View

Buckle poked through the "rain coat" slot

Won't have to worry about inclement weather. You need to undo the strap and poke the buckle through the slot in the "rain coat" and put the strap back on.

Pros
Stealthy & discrete apperance
Nikon D700 and 14-24mm combo fits
Excellent build quality

Highly Recommended!

Nikon D700 - DIY GPS Project

I built a GPS unit for my Nikon D700 over the last couple of weeks. I have been testing it all this week. I came across this design by Rick Wargo while looking for DIY GPS solution for my Nikon D700 that was simple and cheap to build. If you are keen to build one Rick's site has step by step instructions on how to do it.

GPS circuit diagram - click for larger view

The design is based on the USGloblSat EM-406A. The project costs less than $200 AUD and would have been much less if not for the extremely high shipping costs (USD $50) from the USA. The genuine GP-1 Nikon GPS unit costs $425 in Australia.

GPS module - USGloblSat EM406A

GPS unit - completed

Both the GPS unit and remote shutter release use the same 10-pin connector. This means that I can only use one or the other. I then realised that I could add remote shutter release via a 2.5mm stereo jack connected to pin 9 (autofocus), pin 4 (shutter), pin 6 (gnd) on the Nikon 10-pin connector and using the remote controller from my Canon G10. It is a cheap one I picked up on Ebay.

2.5mm stereo jack

Remote shutter release unit from my Canon G10



See the remote shutter in action

GPS unit mounted on D700

The initial search to lock in satellites take a few minutes. The GPS logo on the Nikon flashes while it is searching and goes solid when it has locked in. The D700 has a battery saving mode and shuts down the GPS unit when not in use. However, I disable this initially otherwise it will keep turning off before it can lock onto any satellites. Once this has been achieved I then re-enable battery saving mode. The GPS module also has a built-in supercapacitor that backs up all the satellite location data making all subsequent GPS lock much faster.

GPS locked onto satellites

GPS coordinates

The GPS data is embedded directly into the raw file with each press of the shutter. I then import all the photos directly into Adobe LR2 which supports embedded GPS data. In the library module scroll down to the bottom and you will see the GPS coordinates.

Adobe LR2 - GPS coordinates highlighted in red

If you click on it, you need to be connected to the Internet, it will take you to the exact location in Google map.

Google Map

You can zoom in for a closer look

Google Map - Street View

I can also automatically export all my photographs directly from Adobe LR2 to PicasaWeb using Jeffery Friedl's "Export to Picasaweb" Plugin. I love this plugin! Its a donationware based usage model so if you use it and like it please send Jeffrey some money.

Check-out how I did it here and Check-out my project build pics. As part of my GPS testing I tracked my friend across Sydney. You can find out all the places he visited. Click on view map.

Nikon D700 - High ISO samples

Here are some high ISO samples taken from my new Nikon D700. These were all taken from inside St. Marys Cathedral near Hyde Park. I used my Nikon 50mm and my friend's Sigma 12-24mm.

ISO 3200, 24mm @f/5.6

ISO 3200, 24mm @f/5.6

ISO 3200, 24mm @f/5.6

ISO 3200, 50mm @f/2.0

The following photos were taken during the Chinese New Year Parade in Sydney last weekend. I used my Nikon 50mm and Sigma 70-200mm.

ISO 2000, 135mm @f/2.8

ISO 2200, 122mm @f/2.8

ISO 1100, 50mm @f/2.0

ISO 6400, 50mm @f/1.8

ISO 6400, 50mm @f/2.0

ISO 800, 50mm @f/1.8

ISO 6400, 50mm @f/1.8

ISO 6400, 50mm @f/1.8

I am very impress with the high ISO performance of the Nikon D700. I am just amaze at the quality and cannot help myself from repeatedly looking at them. I cannot believe how clean the images are and the lack of noise compared to my Nikon D200.