Category: Hardware

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D5 announced – add GPS with our Unleashed D200+

Nikon D5 in front of black background.

So Nikon finally put an end to all those D5 rumors, and revealed their new Flaship FX DSLR at CES 2016, delivering even more than everyone reading the rumors already anticipated! It really is a beast of a camera, and trumps the D4s in all the important specs: 20.8MP FX Sensor, EXPEED 5 Processor, Native ISO up to 102400, extendable to Hi5 (3280000 – yes, 3.28 million!), brand new 153-Point AF System, 12 fps continuous shooting incl. AF (up to 200 shots), new 180k RGB pixel metering Sensor, Hi-Res Touchscreen, and 4K Video, just to name a few! I’m sure you all know the details, or will want to read up on dpreview (hands-on), nikonrumors, engadget or from official sources: nikon.com.

The D5, like all other current Nikon DSLRs does not have GPS built in, but we’re pleased to tell you that our Unleashed D200+ (with the D800 modification) will work on the D5, giving you the best direct geotagging solution currently available.

D5

This year is the first time since many years that we are not at CES, so unfortunately I was unable to test compatibility personally. However, I have received confirmation from a customer that the Unleashed D200+ with the D800 modification fit the D5 well physically, when he tested it. Since it was indoors, he was unable to verify the functionality. I’m very sure there will be no issues, as the D5, just like the Nikon’s Pro-DSLRs remains compatible with Nikon’s own GPS product, which our Unleashed is electronically compatible with. However, once we get our hands on a D5, we’ll be sure to test it extensively and update this post with our results.

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Nikon D810A for Astrophotography

A special Version of the D810 was released by Nikon at CP+ in Japan: the D810A. There is little difference to the D810, except that the sensor and the range of some exposure settings have been changed to be more suitable for Astrophotography. Read more here and here.

D810A

Our Unleashed D200+ with the D800 modification will fit the D810A, so get it to add GPS data to your awesome photos of the night sky!

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Nikon D5500 – no more integrated GPS

So, just in time for CES, Nikon announced the D5500, successor to the D5300. The D5300 was Nikon’s only DSLR that had GPS built-in. Its successor, however, no longer does. It seems the function was either not popular enough, or did not work as well as it was supposed to. My guess/experience: Both! (The worst was the battery drain). As usual, you can read the details on dpreview.com or engadget.com

At CES, I went over to the Nikon booth, to test our Unleashed on the D5500 there. Luckily, one of the guys there was curious enough himself to let me test it – even though they were just prototypes, and he wasn’t supposed to let me.

Nikon D5500
  • The good news: the Unleashed Dx000 works on the D5500 (see the GPS Satellite icon)
    Nikon D5500 screenshot GPS icon
  • The bad news: I was unable to properly test how well it fits the D5500, but can tell you it’ll be tight!
    Unleashed Dx000 on Nikon D5500Unleashed Dx000 on Nikon D5500
    It would have been necessary to remove the rubber flap to insert the Unleashed Dx000 completeley, and of course was not going to do that on Nikon’s prototype. The socket is a little more recessed than on other cameras, so I cannot yet promise that the Unleashed can be plugged in all the way, and therefore get enough contact to work properly. I will update this post when I know more – if you’ve tested it, let us know in the comments!
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photokina2014 – we’re here

Every two years, photokina opens it’s doors here in Cologne, Germany. The worlds biggest tradeshow for all things photography starts today. Our booth is set up and ready, you’re very welcome to come visit us: We’re in Hall 4.1, Booth G39, close to Profoto and Sunbounce.

photokina2014 booth foolography

This year we’re not launching a new product of our own, but we’re launching the perfect partner for our Unleashed: The Bad Elf GPS Pro and GPS Pro+. With a great feature set of their own, the combination with our Unleashed gets even better. Read more in our next entry!

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D750 announced – Unleashed Dx000 adds GPS [updated]

Just ahead of photokina, Nikon released yet another FX DSLR. Placed somewhere between the D610 and the D810, the new D750 adds a few extras: built-in wifi, a tilting screen, and a slimmer than usual body.

D750 with 20mm/1.8

What they didn’t add is built-in GPS! Thankfully we have a solution for that, and our Unleashed Dx000 is compatible. I will personally go and test it at photokina when I find the time.

D750 terminals with rough Unleashed Dx000 outline

Read more about the D750 at nikon.com or engadget.com

One last thing: just like with the D600/D610/Df, the rubber flap covering must be completely removed for the Unleashed Dx000 to fit. There’s an almost almost completely reversible method described here.

[Update 2014-09-25] I got a chance to visit the Nikon Booth at photokina, and test the Unleashed Dx000 on the D750. It works very well, as expected, and easily fits under the eyelet for the camera Strap.

Unleashed Dx000 on D750 Side View Unleashed Dx000 on D750 GPS icon

However, this eyelet will block the remote release socket on the top of the Unleashed Dx000. This is needed for pairing (only once), so you’ll need to run the pairing routine on another camera, or purchase a pre-paired bundle.

Unleashed Dx000 on D750 Remote won t fit

It is possible to use the Unleashed without removing the rubber flap, but I would recommend removing it. The flap pushes against the Unleashed quite strongly, and could eventually push it out.

Unleashed Dx000 on D750 rubber flap

[/Update]

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Nikon D810 – Unleashed D200+ compatible (with D800 modification)

Just a few days ago, Nikon released the D810, a successor to the D800/D800E. The changes include tweaks to make full use of the high resolution, expanding ISO range (both ways) and adding a few video features. As usual, I advise you read the details on Nikon.com or dpreview.com

D810

Externally, little has changed, which means that The Unleashed D200+ with the D800 modification will fit the D810 as well, and will work just the same as on the other Nikon DSLRs. The only change I know of concerning GPS functionality is that the top LCD (and likely the Info screen on the main LCD) now features an image of a Satellite instead of the typical [GPS] icon:

D810 Top LCD new GPS icon
D810 Top LCD new GPS icon		 D800 Top LCD old GPS icon
D800 Top LCD old GPS icon

We’ve already seen this change on a few other new Nikon DSLRs, for example the D5300 and Df.

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D4s – Unleashed D200+ looks like it will be compatible [Update: it is!]

I just saw the Nikon D4s at CES, and it looks pretty much identical to the D4, just looking at the body. While I’m sure they’ve greatly improved it on the inside, the good news is that the 10-pin port is still there, and I assume it will work just as it did with the D4, meaning that our Unleashed D200+ will fit and work on the D4s.

D4s at CES

[Update 2014-04-06: Unleashed D200+ is indeed compatible]

I was able to test it today, and can confirm it works just as well as on all other Nikon DSLRs. One thing I might note: Although the Unleashed D200+ does fit, and works well – the D800 modification makes it fit even better.

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D3300 – Unleashed Dx000 not compatible

Nikon announced the D3300 a few days ago – a great entry level DSLR, I’m sure! As usual, I won’t bore you with the specs and features – you can read these on nikon.com or dpreview.com.

Being at the CES 2014, I was able to have a look at the camera, and to test the Unleashed Dx000 on the D3300. Unlike the D5300 – the D3300 does NOT have GPS built-in. It’s still compatible with the Nikon GP-1 and other third party GPS devices. Unfortunately, the Unleashed Dx000 will not physically fit the D3300, because the socket is recessed a little too deeply for the Unleashed Dx000 to plug in completely.

D3300 recessed port D3300 with Dx000 - doesn't quite fit

We’re working on a solution, and will let you know when it’s ready.

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Nikon Df – add GPS with Unleashed Dx000

Nikon launched yet another DSLR, just weeks after the D610 and the D5300. Catching up to the retro trend the Nikon Df (which stands for Digital fusion) looks similar to the classic FM/2 and the F3, but internally is on par with Nikons current flagship cameras. It contains the 16MP full-frame sensor and Expeed processors of the D4, and the AF system of the D610. Read more about the specs and features on nikon.com or dpreview.com.

Nikon Df in Silver

The Df does not have built-in GPS, but it is compatible with our Unleashed Dx000, which will sit nice and flat on the side of the Df, adding GPS capability to the Df, without adding bulk or cables, or getting in the way when you take photos, very much unlike the Nikon GP-1 :-)

Nikon Df with GP-1
The Nikon GP-1 on the Df – “less than ideal”

One more thing: there is no GPS icon on the top LCD, and the one on the info screen on the main LCD has changed to this: Df GPS icon