Lightroom and new DA lenses: "Unknown Lens"?

*Ivan Glisin* · 11-09-2008, 04:58 PM

Upon importing shots taken with DA 18-55 II or DA 55-300 Lightroom 2.1 categorizes them as "Unknown Lens". Is there any way to "teach" Lightroom to recognize lens tags for new lenses? Where is that info stored? Any database, registry entries, XML file?

JonPB · 11-09-2008, 05:59 PM

It is stored in the exif information for the image. I use exiftool (see link below) to correct the information for my lenses. I use it to specific which A-series or M42 lens was used, but I'm sure it can work for DA lenses...although, for you, Lightroom will almost certainly recognize the lenses in a future update.

ExifTool by Phil Harvey

If you're on a PC, there are many tools to work with exif information. I'm on a Mac, which doesn't have so much going for it in this regard.

*Ivan Glisin* · 11-09-2008, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by JonPB

It is stored in the exif information for the image.

Interesting. My understanding is that PEF/DNG from Pentax cameras store lens code, not a name. So Lightroom somehow knows names for most but not all lenses.

Here is the problem I have: I can see focal length, but 55mm could be DA 18-55 II or DA 55-300. Is it possible to find a lens code and do one of the following: (a) correct already imported pictures to display proper name, or (b) "teach" Lightroom to recognize and properly categorize lenses on next import?

JonPB · 11-09-2008, 10:44 PM

Admittedly, I don't have a Pentax camera (GX-10 here) and exiftool might work on non-standard exif data, but exiftool reads and writes information that is readily read by Lightroom as metadata. (I use the command [exiftool -lens="Super-Takumar 1:3.5/135mm" SG105943.DNG] and then Read Metadata From File in Lightroom and it works as expected.)

Before going to exiftool, I tried in vain to find a way to correct the metadata in Lightroom. Please post here if you do find a solution.

*falconeye* · 11-14-2008, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by JonPB

I tried in vain to find a way to correct the metadata in Lightroom

The lens code to lens description table is stored in one of Lightroom's DLLs which is a binary file.

*Ivan Glisin* · 11-14-2008, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by falconeye

The lens code to lens description table is stored in one of Lightroom's DLLs which is a binary file.

I suspected so. I was looking for an XML file or some sort of equivalent but no luck. So, it appears that we will need to wait for Adobe to update the code.

JonPB · 11-14-2008, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by falconeye

The lens code to lens description table is stored in one of Lightroom's DLLs which is a binary file.

Fair enough. But I can change the lens name, without touching anything in Lightroom, by changing the image's metadata. I don't know whether that operation in exiftool is working on strictly exif information or other metadata. My point is that it is possible to correct this metadata, and it would be nice to be able to do that within Lightroom.

rfortson · 11-17-2008, 03:57 PM

Thanks for this post. I had the same question, and now I know I'll just wait for the update to Lightroom. Since I'm already using v2.1 (the latest, just updated recently), I'm a little surprised that it doesn't recognize my DA*300.

Just to be sure, I think I'll head over to the Adobe forum and post a request there to update the lens information in a future update (not a future release - I'm not paying another $100 for lens info).

How about all of us posting this request over at Adobe's forum? Maybe they'll hear us if we all yell together.