Canon GP-E2 User Manual

QuickGuide to the

GPS Receiver GP-E2

OVERVIEW

The GPS Receiver GP-E2 can record location infor­mation such as latitude, longitude, elevation,
direction, and coordinated universal time (UTC) in
the EXIF data of your images as you shoot. This
can be valuable in a wide variety of photographic
applications, including travel, architecture, land­scape, forensics, and documentary.
Geotags (GPS information) can be applied to
RAW (.CR2) and JPEG images only. They are vis­ible in Canon as well as third-party image browsers,
raw converters, and digital asset managers. When
combined with Canon’s Map Utility software, the
GP-E2 also allows you to log and view the route
you traveled. This guide will provide instructions for
how to use the GP-E2 to its full capabilities.

COMPATIBILITY

The GP-E2 can transfer data directly through the hot
shoe, as you shoot, when mounted on the EOS-1D
X, EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 6D, EOS M, Rebel 4Ti, or
any later model that displays [GPS device settings]
in its Set-up menu. When used with the EOS 7D, the
GP-E2 can transfer data only through the <DIGI-
TAL> terminal. The following additional restrictions
also apply to the EOS 7D:

• Geotagging will not work while recording mov­ies.

• Geotagging will not work with movies when
using the Map Utility.

• Electronic compass information and automa­tic time setting are not available.

With all cameras listed above, as well as all other
Canon digital cameras, you can use the GP-E2 with
Canon’s Map Utility application to geotag images
later with a Windows or Macintosh computer.

ATTACHING AND REMOVING THE GP-E2

You can either mount the GP-E2 to your camera’s
hot shoe or carry it separately and connect it to the
camera with an accessory connector cable. Carry­ing the GP-E2 separately will free up the hot shoe
for use with an external ash or other shoe-mounted
accessory. It will also allow you to use your camera’s
built-in ash, if available. In either case, always be
sure to turn the GP-E2 off before attaching or remov­ing it.

SWITCHING THE GP-E2 ON

As soon as you switch the GP-E2 to <ON> or
<LOG>, the red <BATTERY> light should blink ap-

proximately every 5 seconds. If it does not, you need
to replace the single AA battery; otherwise:

• Single slow blink indicates battery okay

• Three fast blinks indicates battery low

ACQUIRING A SIGNAL

Once the receiver is on, check that the red <GPS>
light is blinking.

• Fast blink indicates signal not yet acquired

• Slow blink indicates signal acquired
It normally takes 30–60 seconds for the GP-E2 to
acquire a signal. Once it has done so it will shift to
power-saving mode, at which point the <GPS> light
will blink every 3 to 6 seconds. The GPS will func­tion as normal.

Note: It may take longer to acquire a signal and
reception is likely to be poor under the following
conditions:

• Indoors, underground, or near tall buildings

• In tunnels, valleys, or forests

• Near high-voltage lines

• When the receiver is inside a bag or suitcase
This is true of all GPS devices. Try to work outdoors,
with the receiver exposed, and with an unobstructed
view of the sky whenever possible.

GPS DEVICE SETTINGS MENU

For cameras with GPS device settings menu: In ad­dition to the GP-E2 itself, you can see a status indi­cator on your camera’s LCD whenever the receiver
is on. (The EOS-1D X displays this on smaller rear
LCD panel.)

• Blinking [GPS] = signal not yet acquired

• Constant [GPS] = signal acquired

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You can also view GPS and digital compass infor­mation as you shoot. The benet is that this allows
you to zero in on a pre-established location, eleva­tion, and direction based on its GPS coordinates.

To view device settings, rst make sure GPS device
is set to [Enable], then select GPS device set-

tings/GPS information display.

ENABLING THE DIGITAL COMPASS

To enable the digital compass, make sure [GPS
device] in your camera’s Set-up Menu is set to
[Enable], then select GPS device settings/Digital
compass. To view the direction the camera is point-

ing, press the <INFO> or <DISP> button on your
camera. The compass will be visible on the rear
LCD during all shooting modes, including movies.

GEOTAGGING IMAGES AS YOU SHOOT

Set the GP-E2’s power switch to the <ON> position.
With cameras that have a GPS device settings menu
selection, the camera will automatically geotag your
images whenever the receiver is attached to the
hot shoe. With the EOS 7D, the receiver must be
connected via the <DIGITAL> port on the side of the
camera. The EOS 7D is not able to tag images with
digital compass data.

LOGGING YOUR ROUTE

Set the GP-E2’s power switch to the <LOG> posi­tion. There’s no need to attach the receiver to the
camera; however, the carrying case allows you to
attach it to your belt or camera strap. As long as
you’re carrying it, the receiver itself will automati­cally log location information along your route. If the
receiver is attached to a camera that has a GPS de­vice settings menu selection, the receiver will also
geotag your images as you shoot.
Location logs are recorded daily, at set intervals
of your choice, and stored in the receiver. The

interval settings are available on your camera’s GPS
device settings menu:
First, make sure GPS device is set to Enable, then
select GPS device settings/Position update timing,
then select the interval you want. Intervals range
from once per second to every 5 minutes. Shorter
intervals provide more precise tracking but reduce
battery life. Longer intervals do the reverse.
Generally speaking, the longer your route and
the larger the area you will be covering, the greater
your positioning intervals can be. Conversely, you
may prefer shorter intervals if you need to track a
circuitous route within a small area. Keep in mind,
however, that the tracking accuracy cannot exceed
that of the GP-E2 itself.

SETTING GPS SYNCHRONIZED TIME

By default, the date and time recorded in your im­age’s EXIF data les will be derived from the date
and time settings in your camera. For more accurate
and precise time notations (within ±0.02-second
relative to UTC with the EOS-1D X), you can have
the camera’s time automatically synchronized and
updated via the GP-E2. To enable GPS synchro­nized time:

1. Enable the GPS and select GPS device
settings.

2. Select [Auto time setting]

3. Select the time setting you prefer:

[Set now] will set the time based on the GPS
signal and let the camera maintain the time
from then on.
[Auto update] will automatically update the
time whenever the camera and GP-E2 are on
and the GP-E2 is receiving a signal.
[Disable] is useful if you do not need auto
time setting or if it may conict with other time­coordinated accessories or applications.

PRECAUTIONS

Some countries or regions may place restrictions on
the use of GPS devices. When in doubt, ask before
using the GP-E2 in foreign countries.
Keep in mind that others may be able to locate
you or others based on the coordinates in your
geotagged images. Be careful before posting photo­graphs of your home, ofce, private residences, or
other personally identiable information.
Never leave the GP-E2 near equipment that
generates a strong magnetic eld, such as magnets
or electric motors as this may affect the short-term
accuracy of the receiver.

CANON MAP UTILITY APPLICATION

You can import GPS Log les from the GP-E2 into
your computer via USB connection, view the paths
on a map, view the location, direction and GPS
data of images taken with the GP-E2 active, and
more with the Map Utility software provided with the
GP-E2. Log les can be saved with Map Utility, and
converted to the popular .KMZ le type for viewing
in on-line map software such as Google Earth. GPS
info can be added to images or edited as needed.
Please refer to your Map Utility manual for more
specic information.

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