[Digikam-users] Re: Tamron lens not properly recognized

[Remco Viëtor]

on Wednesday 25 May 2011, Simon Oosthoek wrote: 
> On 25/05/11 13:45, Marie-Noëlle Augendre wrote:
> >
> > Thanks for the hint. I just tried exiftool and here is (part of) the
> > result of the command exiftool -a -u -g1 IMG_8930.CR2
> > Lens                            : 70.0 - 300.0 mm
> > Lens ID                         : Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di VC USD
> Just to add a false datapoint to the mix:
> $ exiftool -a -u -g1 DSC07242.JPG |grep -i lens
> Lens Type                       : Tamron or Sigma Lens (128)
> Lens ID                         : Tamron 28-300mm F3.5-6.3
> 
> I recently got a new Sigma 18-250 lens for my Sony Alpha camera.
> Definitely not a Tamron 28-300...
> I know it's quite a recent model for Sony Alpha mount, but if this stuff
> is reported wrong in some/most cases, what use is a lens database? You
> could always set it manually, but that's usually too much trouble.
> 
> Would more accurate information be hidden in other fields (custom Sony
> fields?)
> Is there a way to help sort this out?
> 
I had a (quick) look at the code.
The lens description values are already in the custom fields (makerdata).
There's a (hard-coded) list of LensID values in the code. Those values are 
decimal values, with the integer part coding either a Minolta/Sony lens, or a 
third-party series of lenses. In the 2nd case, the exact lens is then supposed 
to be given by the decimal part.

In your case, you have a LensType of 128.x. The 128 part indicates a Tamron or 
Sigma lens, and then there are 8 options in the list... (file Minolta.pm, then 
search for Tamron...)

So it is quite possible that your lens, being new, isn't in the code base yet 
(but at least the brand is recognised...) And given how much cooperation open-
source projects usually get from camera manufacturers, I'd say your best bet 
to get your lens included is sending a bug report with a ARW file and the 
exact name of your lens (or dig out the exact code yourself and send it with a 
lens description)

Remco