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DeMariaPhotography
Known Participant
May 30, 2022
Answered

Did Capture Time disappear from metadata?

  • May 30, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 1326 views

Hi, I cannot seem to find Capture Time in the metadata anymore.  Used to use it every shoot to correct 2nd shooter's (slightly off) camera times.  I thought it was in EXIF, but I can't find it anywhere.  And if it's gone how are you supposted to change the capture time now?  Thank you!

Correct answer johnrellis

[This post contains formatting and embedded images that don't appear in email. View the post in your Web browser.]

 

To build on F. McLion's reply,  if you see this tiny icon in the upper-left of the Metadata panel:

 

you're in "edit-only" mode, in which the panel only displays fields that can be edited and are empty. Click the icon to switch it to view-and-edit-mode, and it will appear as a sort-of-kind-of eyeball:

 

When you have the Default tagset selected, by default you'll only see Capture Date selected.  Click the Customize button to also display Capture Time:

 

When you have the EXIF tagset selected, both Capture Date and Capture Time will display by default:

 

 

 

 

3 replies

B
bhousto90
Brainiac
June 9, 2022

I have a non-Adobe tip for the 2nd shooter time differences:

Check to see if your camera manufacturers software has a time sync function?

For Nikon cameras: Nikon Transfer 2 utility allows you to sync each camera to your computers clock.

If you do this the day of/day before the event then the camera times will be equal.

(It is the only reason I still use the Transfer utility)

Should work ok differing camera brands or PCs as long as each PC performing the sync is up to date with a internet time server.

It solves having to correct the time differences in Lightroom.

johnrellis
johnrellisCorrect answer
Brainiac
May 30, 2022

[This post contains formatting and embedded images that don't appear in email. View the post in your Web browser.]

 

To build on F. McLion's reply,  if you see this tiny icon in the upper-left of the Metadata panel:

 

you're in "edit-only" mode, in which the panel only displays fields that can be edited and are empty. Click the icon to switch it to view-and-edit-mode, and it will appear as a sort-of-kind-of eyeball:

 

When you have the Default tagset selected, by default you'll only see Capture Date selected.  Click the Customize button to also display Capture Time:

 

When you have the EXIF tagset selected, both Capture Date and Capture Time will display by default:

 

 

 

 

    D
    DeMariaPhotographyAuthor
    Known Participant
    June 9, 2022

    Hi, thanks guys.  I was actually NOT in edit-only mode, so capture time must've automatically become un-checked during an update or something.  And I never knew it was up in the metadata menu at the top, haha!  The edit capture time function on the panel always did everything at once, as you (F.McLion) mentioned that the menu function does.  Interestingly, even though I customized the default panel and added capture time as you suggested johnrellis, it still does not show up as an *editable* field in the EXIF panel.  But it seems to work (be editable) in default, so I'll just leave it there I guess.  Thanks again!

    johnrellis
    johnrellis
    Brainiac
    June 9, 2022

    "so capture time must've automatically become un-checked during an update or something."

     

    The default fields in the Default tagset don't include Capture Time for some reason.

     

    "it still does not show up as an *editable* field in the EXIF panel."

     

    The Capture Date, Capture Time, and EXIF date/time fields have never been editable.  You can only change a photo's capture date with the Metadata > Edit Capture Time command.

     

    Strangely, the IPTC Date Create field is editable, though it won't have the effect you'd want -- it won't change LR's notion of capture date/time or what gets exported in the EXIF DateTimeOriginal field, which is where most apps and services look for the capture date.

    F. McLion
    F. McLion
    Community Expert
    May 30, 2022

    I can see it in metadata EXIF as usual. Have you switched to edit mode unintentionally?

    However, for adjusting second shooter's off time you best use the Edit Capture Time function and do it with one operation relative and for all photos at once:

     

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