No lens data in Apple Photos app

k22 · 05-15-2016, 11:31 AM

When I show info on a picture in Apple's Photos app it says "No lens info". However, there is lens info in the EXIF data. iPhoto also has this problem. Is anyone encountering this?

Adam · 05-15-2016, 11:32 AM

The app probably doesn't have the lens ID definitions for the latest lenses

normhead · 05-15-2016, 11:33 AM

Apple is usually the slowest in adapting their software to new developments be it cameras or lenses. IN a month or two they'll probably get to it.

k22 · 05-15-2016, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by Adam

The app probably doesn't have the lens ID definitions for the latest lenses

This is the DAL 50-200 F4-5.6 ED WR that came out in 2014 I believe.

**Oakland Rob** · 05-15-2016, 11:50 AM

An application like Photos (or Lr or whatever) has to parse some lens ID info as noted. In my experience the variants of the kit lenses don't get parsed since they maybe don't have a lens ID that these applications can figure out. So a DA 50-200 might be found but not a DAL and maybe not a WR variant.

I'd suggest you use a preset or whatever Photos calls them to do a keyword for the lens instead.

k22 · 05-15-2016, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by Oakland Rob

An application like Photos (or Lr or whatever) has to parse some lens ID info as noted. In my experience the variants of the kit lenses don't get parsed since they maybe don't have a lens ID that these applications can figure out. So a DA 50-200 might be found but not a DAL and maybe not a WR variant.

I'd suggest you use a preset or whatever Photos calls them to do a keyword for the lens instead.

Good suggestion. Will do.

**Aristophanes** · 05-23-2016, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by k22

When I show info on a picture in Apple's Photos app it says "No lens info". However, there is lens info in the EXIF data. iPhoto also has this problem. Is anyone encountering this?

Select a photo in Apple Photos and get info. You will see the lens data. You can highlight and copy that text and then create a Smart Album with the instruction to include that lens data and it will work properly.

That extra step should be eliminated in Photos but the lens data is part of the MacOS camera RAW data, so its current status depends on Apple's core OS software being up-to-date.

k22 · 05-23-2016, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by Aristophanes

Select a photo in Apple Photos and get info. You will see the lens data. You can highlight and copy that text and then create a Smart Album with the instruction to include that lens data and it will work properly.

That extra step should be eliminated in Photos but the lens data is part of the MacOS camera RAW data, so its current status depends on Apple's core OS software being up-to-date.

The problem is there's no lens data.

**Aristophanes** · 05-23-2016, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by k22

The problem is there's no lens data.

There is. It's just the MacOS RAW isn't updated to read it yet.

k22 · 05-23-2016, 04:37 PM

Originally posted by Aristophanes

There is. It's just the MacOS RAW isn't updated to read it yet.

Yes, it's in the EXIF but the Mac program doesn't show it.

**Oakland Rob** · 05-24-2016, 09:46 AM

Unfortunately, Apple Photos is crappy photo app. As you've seen.

I'd suggest another application to organize or mess with images if you wanna do work with exif into or other metadata. There are lots of 'em. From free up to high zoot. One of the very best is the free exiftool, which is a command line Terminal application. But easy to install, and pretty easy to run (just type "exiftool -G ~/Pictures/YourPentax/IMGP1234orwhatever.DNG, hit enter, and you've got a nice categorized list of all exif metadata. Or just copy the lens info and add it as a keyword in Photos.

Saxtonine · 11-29-2017, 06:08 PM - **2 Likes**

Sorry for posting in an old thread - but I discovered this thread via Google while searching for an answer to the same problem and found an answer, albeit a kind of nutty one.

First I should say that it was by no means all of my photos that were missing lens information. It was 150 in the last year or so and it was kinda driving me bonkers - because 4 or 5 would say "No lens information" but then the next 2 would have it, and then the next missing it again, and so forth. It stretched a period of two months. I confirmed via Lightroom that the metadata did indeed contain the lens information so I wasn't sure what the problem was.

I tried repairing the photo library (hit command and option as soon as you open photos and select repair) - That did not work.

Then I made an album with the photos that said "No Lens Information" and exported them to a temporary folder on my desktop (File -> Export -> Export Unmodified...) and then I reimported those files back into the library. Guess what? The lens information was there.

I can't help but wonder if I'm maybe a little OCD to care enough about this to go to these lengths but there you go. I hope that if somebody else finds this thread via Google or otherwise my solution will somehow help.

05-15-2016, 11:31 AM	#1
k22 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 153	No lens data in Apple Photos app When I show info on a picture in Apple's Photos app it says "No lens info". However, there is lens info in the EXIF data. iPhoto also has this problem. Is anyone encountering this?

05-15-2016, 11:32 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	The app probably doesn't have the lens ID definitions for the latest lenses Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Problem with Image Sync app on Apple	ksm	Pentax K-1 & K-1 II	5	08-05-2016 03:01 PM
No lens data for Sigma 18-35mm in DCU4.4	sholtzma	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	2	10-12-2015 03:56 PM
Apple starting to show off Photos.app	boriscleto	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	48	02-10-2015 02:10 PM
App for Tracking My Film EXIF Data	OrangeKx	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	4	07-11-2014 06:52 AM
No lens identifier in EXIF data	hastingd	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	6	06-11-2013 04:52 AM

05-15-2016, 11:33 AM	#3
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Apple is usually the slowest in adapting their software to new developments be it cameras or lenses. IN a month or two they'll probably get to it.

05-15-2016, 11:35 AM	#4
k22 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 153 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam The app probably doesn't have the lens ID definitions for the latest lenses This is the DAL 50-200 F4-5.6 ED WR that came out in 2014 I believe.

05-15-2016, 11:50 AM	#5
Oakland Rob Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Bay Area California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 798	An application like Photos (or Lr or whatever) has to parse some lens ID info as noted. In my experience the variants of the kit lenses don't get parsed since they maybe don't have a lens ID that these applications can figure out. So a DA 50-200 might be found but not a DAL and maybe not a WR variant. I'd suggest you use a preset or whatever Photos calls them to do a keyword for the lens instead.

05-15-2016, 11:57 AM	#6
k22 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 153 Original Poster	Originally posted by Oakland Rob An application like Photos (or Lr or whatever) has to parse some lens ID info as noted. In my experience the variants of the kit lenses don't get parsed since they maybe don't have a lens ID that these applications can figure out. So a DA 50-200 might be found but not a DAL and maybe not a WR variant. I'd suggest you use a preset or whatever Photos calls them to do a keyword for the lens instead. Good suggestion. Will do.

05-23-2016, 11:30 AM	#7
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	Originally posted by k22 When I show info on a picture in Apple's Photos app it says "No lens info". However, there is lens info in the EXIF data. iPhoto also has this problem. Is anyone encountering this? Select a photo in Apple Photos and get info. You will see the lens data. You can highlight and copy that text and then create a Smart Album with the instruction to include that lens data and it will work properly. That extra step should be eliminated in Photos but the lens data is part of the MacOS camera RAW data, so its current status depends on Apple's core OS software being up-to-date.

05-23-2016, 01:01 PM	#8
k22 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 153 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aristophanes Select a photo in Apple Photos and get info. You will see the lens data. You can highlight and copy that text and then create a Smart Album with the instruction to include that lens data and it will work properly. That extra step should be eliminated in Photos but the lens data is part of the MacOS camera RAW data, so its current status depends on Apple's core OS software being up-to-date. The problem is there's no lens data.

05-23-2016, 02:01 PM	#9
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	Originally posted by k22 The problem is there's no lens data. There is. It's just the MacOS RAW isn't updated to read it yet.

05-23-2016, 04:37 PM	#10
k22 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 153 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aristophanes There is. It's just the MacOS RAW isn't updated to read it yet. Yes, it's in the EXIF but the Mac program doesn't show it.

05-24-2016, 09:46 AM	#11
Oakland Rob Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Bay Area California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 798	Unfortunately, Apple Photos is crappy photo app. As you've seen. I'd suggest another application to organize or mess with images if you wanna do work with exif into or other metadata. There are lots of 'em. From free up to high zoot. One of the very best is the free exiftool, which is a command line Terminal application. But easy to install, and pretty easy to run (just type "exiftool -G ~/Pictures/YourPentax/IMGP1234orwhatever.DNG, hit enter, and you've got a nice categorized list of all exif metadata. Or just copy the lens info and add it as a keyword in Photos.

11-29-2017, 06:08 PM - 2 Likes	#12
Saxtonine Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 54	Sorry for posting in an old thread - but I discovered this thread via Google while searching for an answer to the same problem and found an answer, albeit a kind of nutty one. First I should say that it was by no means all of my photos that were missing lens information. It was 150 in the last year or so and it was kinda driving me bonkers - because 4 or 5 would say "No lens information" but then the next 2 would have it, and then the next missing it again, and so forth. It stretched a period of two months. I confirmed via Lightroom that the metadata did indeed contain the lens information so I wasn't sure what the problem was. I tried repairing the photo library (hit command and option as soon as you open photos and select repair) - That did not work. Then I made an album with the photos that said "No Lens Information" and exported them to a temporary folder on my desktop (File -> Export -> Export Unmodified...) and then I reimported those files back into the library. Guess what? The lens information was there. I can't help but wonder if I'm maybe a little OCD to care enough about this to go to these lengths but there you go. I hope that if somebody else finds this thread via Google or otherwise my solution will somehow help.