Do you set the date and time on your cameras?

Sidney Porter · 02-20-2020, 12:42 PM

Yes on the k3. No on the k100d. The k100d clears out when ever you change the battery

**Madaboutpix** · 02-20-2020, 01:47 PM

One of my pet hates: incorrect EXIFs. So, yes, I set time and date on my K-3 regularly, to the second following my radio clock. As I leave the battery in the camera, I only have to do this twice (routinely with the beginning and end of DST) or three times a year to always have reasonably accurate time.

Given that I store my images in a straightforward yyyy/yyyy-mm-dd/IMGPxxxx.DNG fashion on my PC, time and date actually need to be accurate for it to make any sense.

**Wingincamera** · 02-20-2020, 03:24 PM

I always try to keep my cameras on the correct time. Usually it makes no difference, but sometimes I like to make notes when I am taking a photo and I find it easier to just note the time instead of looking up the file number.

**RobA_Oz** · 02-20-2020, 03:53 PM

I always check my camera time and date settings, particularly when I’m travelling. All my photo files are kept in date order, so an incorrect date would cause chaos there. My near and dear isn’t so fussy, then wonders why she can’t find travel photos easily, when so many of them were taken on days starting on the 1st of January 2010!

nosliwmit · 02-20-2020, 07:49 PM

I just discovered yesterday that my camera is still set on World Time (Yangon) from my trip to Myanmar at Christmas time. I was several days into that trip before I remembered to set the World Time. Pretty typical for me - I try to keep the time correct but often forget to change time zones... I've always found the Home and World Time feature to be a little clunky (K200D, K5 and K-1), but it's definitely a useful feature.

**Kobie** · 02-20-2020, 09:24 PM

When I was the resident Photographer for a bunch of nightclubs, I always made sure the time was correct in my camera.
Just like @madaboutpix I too have my folder and image set by date yyyy-mm-dd/IMGPxxxx.DNG.
SInce I was shooting into the next day all the time, it helped me find specific images I recalled being taken at certain points throughout the evening. Some would be (let's take todays date) 02/20/2020 and then carry over to 02/21/2020 even thought to me it was the same evening.

Paul the Sunman · 02-20-2020, 09:34 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Kobie

When I was the resident Photographer for a bunch of nightclubs, I always made sure the time was correct in my camera.
Just like @madaboutpix I too have my folder and image set by date yyyy-mm-dd/IMGPxxxx.DNG.
SInce I was shooting into the next day all the time, it helped me find specific images I recalled being taken at certain points throughout the evening. Some would be (let's take todays date) 02/20/2020 and then carry over to 02/21/2020 even thought to me it was the same evening.

Handy for alibis too.

stevebrot · 02-20-2020, 10:41 PM

Yes, it allows proper timestamp for the EXIF. I also set World Time to UTC when traveling outside my normal time zone.

Steve

**Rondec** · 02-21-2020, 04:11 AM

It is really handy when you are shooting with a couple of cameras to have their times synced up pretty closely. Otherwise the photos get all jumbled up in Lightroom. Even a couple of minutes difference can be pretty irritating.

As far as the daylight savings time goes, that's automatic and I don't have to worry about it.

**rod_grant** · 02-21-2020, 04:34 AM

I've never thought to check since I set my KP when new. Just looked and it was out by a fair bit.
I might remember to check more often.!!
I have never worried about changing for daylight saving - I have relied on my knowing that I took the image in real time - not enforced-made-up-time.

**bkpix** · 04-11-2020, 07:53 PM

For the past five years I've kept my cameras (four of them) set to standard time throughout the year. Made that decision after I realized I never would remember to reset all of them twice a year. So now I know what time my photos were actually taken --- and it's a lot less work.

I do touch up the exact time now and then to combat drift.

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-12-2020, 04:50 AM

No I leave them in eastern standard time, because I geotag photos with track files from my gps, and I want to have an easy workflow as I cross time zones and between standard and daylight time. I have had both happen on one day in a trip, so it is better to decide on one time and leave it.

**Digitalis** · 04-12-2020, 06:34 AM - **1 Like**

I can have about 6 to 8 different camera bodies on the go at any time - So keeping them all up to date can be a chore, but it is worth it in the long run. Part of my basic set up for each camera is: set the time [I use 24Hr format], set the white balance to 5000K, set back button AF, wrangle the custom functions ( ISO extension, manual focus overrides and basic exposure controls) the way I want and seldom do I find any need deviate from those settings.

**microlight** · 04-12-2020, 06:54 AM - **1 Like**

:O

I have precisely ... one camera body on the go at any time! But then I’m not a pro. (Or even a talented amateur like many here are.)

PDL · 04-12-2020, 03:46 PM

On the older cameras I use the daylight/standard time change overs to check the clocks. I also use that period to swap/recharge batteries and do a general cleaning. I check the battery on the K-3II about once a month these days with the time set in both the menu and off the GPS.

I have really cut back on photography this year. All of my non-profit gigs were canceled due to the current Pandemic and I just don't feel the need/desire to photograph anything these days. (Just canceled the flights for my trip to Norway and London at the end of May - Bummer)

04-12-2020, 06:34 AM - 1 Like	#28
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	I can have about 6 to 8 different camera bodies on the go at any time - So keeping them all up to date can be a chore, but it is worth it in the long run. Part of my basic set up for each camera is: set the time [I use 24Hr format], set the white balance to 5000K, set back button AF, wrangle the custom functions ( ISO extension, manual focus overrides and basic exposure controls) the way I want and seldom do I find any need deviate from those settings. Last edited by Digitalis; 04-12-2020 at 06:39 AM.

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02-20-2020, 12:42 PM	#16
Sidney Porter Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Columbus Ohio USA Posts: 353	Yes on the k3. No on the k100d. The k100d clears out when ever you change the battery

02-20-2020, 01:47 PM	#17
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,438	One of my pet hates: incorrect EXIFs. So, yes, I set time and date on my K-3 regularly, to the second following my radio clock. As I leave the battery in the camera, I only have to do this twice (routinely with the beginning and end of DST) or three times a year to always have reasonably accurate time. Given that I store my images in a straightforward yyyy/yyyy-mm-dd/IMGPxxxx.DNG fashion on my PC, time and date actually need to be accurate for it to make any sense.

02-20-2020, 03:24 PM	#18
Wingincamera Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pine Haven, Wyoming Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,182	I always try to keep my cameras on the correct time. Usually it makes no difference, but sometimes I like to make notes when I am taking a photo and I find it easier to just note the time instead of looking up the file number.

02-20-2020, 03:53 PM	#19
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,191	I always check my camera time and date settings, particularly when I’m travelling. All my photo files are kept in date order, so an incorrect date would cause chaos there. My near and dear isn’t so fussy, then wonders why she can’t find travel photos easily, when so many of them were taken on days starting on the 1st of January 2010!

02-20-2020, 07:49 PM	#20
nosliwmit Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 913	I just discovered yesterday that my camera is still set on World Time (Yangon) from my trip to Myanmar at Christmas time. I was several days into that trip before I remembered to set the World Time. Pretty typical for me - I try to keep the time correct but often forget to change time zones... I've always found the Home and World Time feature to be a little clunky (K200D, K5 and K-1), but it's definitely a useful feature.

02-20-2020, 09:24 PM	#21
Kobie Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bowmanville Photos: Albums Posts: 1,211	When I was the resident Photographer for a bunch of nightclubs, I always made sure the time was correct in my camera. Just like @madaboutpix I too have my folder and image set by date yyyy-mm-dd/IMGPxxxx.DNG. SInce I was shooting into the next day all the time, it helped me find specific images I recalled being taken at certain points throughout the evening. Some would be (let's take todays date) 02/20/2020 and then carry over to 02/21/2020 even thought to me it was the same evening.

02-20-2020, 09:34 PM - 1 Like	#22
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,842	Originally posted by Kobie When I was the resident Photographer for a bunch of nightclubs, I always made sure the time was correct in my camera. Just like @madaboutpix I too have my folder and image set by date yyyy-mm-dd/IMGPxxxx.DNG. SInce I was shooting into the next day all the time, it helped me find specific images I recalled being taken at certain points throughout the evening. Some would be (let's take todays date) 02/20/2020 and then carry over to 02/21/2020 even thought to me it was the same evening. Handy for alibis too.

02-20-2020, 10:41 PM	#23
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Yes, it allows proper timestamp for the EXIF. I also set World Time to UTC when traveling outside my normal time zone. Steve

02-21-2020, 04:11 AM	#24
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	It is really handy when you are shooting with a couple of cameras to have their times synced up pretty closely. Otherwise the photos get all jumbled up in Lightroom. Even a couple of minutes difference can be pretty irritating. As far as the daylight savings time goes, that's automatic and I don't have to worry about it.

02-21-2020, 04:34 AM	#25
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	I've never thought to check since I set my KP when new. Just looked and it was out by a fair bit. I might remember to check more often.!! I have never worried about changing for daylight saving - I have relied on my knowing that I took the image in real time - not enforced-made-up-time.

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04-11-2020, 07:53 PM	#26
bkpix Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Creswell, Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 568	For the past five years I've kept my cameras (four of them) set to standard time throughout the year. Made that decision after I realized I never would remember to reset all of them twice a year. So now I know what time my photos were actually taken --- and it's a lot less work. I do touch up the exact time now and then to combat drift.

04-12-2020, 04:50 AM	#27
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	No I leave them in eastern standard time, because I geotag photos with track files from my gps, and I want to have an easy workflow as I cross time zones and between standard and daylight time. I have had both happen on one day in a trip, so it is better to decide on one time and leave it.

04-12-2020, 06:54 AM - 1 Like	#29
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	:O I have precisely ... one camera body on the go at any time! But then I’m not a pro. (Or even a talented amateur like many here are.)

04-12-2020, 03:46 PM	#30
PDL Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: PNW USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,127	On the older cameras I use the daylight/standard time change overs to check the clocks. I also use that period to swap/recharge batteries and do a general cleaning. I check the battery on the K-3II about once a month these days with the time set in both the menu and off the GPS. I have really cut back on photography this year. All of my non-profit gigs were canceled due to the current Pandemic and I just don't feel the need/desire to photograph anything these days. (Just canceled the flights for my trip to Norway and London at the end of May - Bummer)