For effortless tracing of celestial bodies

When mounted on the supported PENTAX cameras, the O-GPS2 provides the advanced ASTROTRACER function, which couples the unit with the camera’s SR (Shake Reduction) system for the effortless tracing and photographing of celestial bodies. The unit calculates the movement of stars and other objects using the latitude obtained from the location data and the camera’s alignment data (horizontal and vertical inclinations and direction) obtained from the electronic compass and acceleration sensors. It then shifts the camera’s image sensor in synchronization with the movement of these objects. This means that all celestial bodies are captured as solid points rather than blurry streaks, even during extended exposures. It also simplifies the astronomical photography setup, since it requires only a tripod and eliminates the need for an additional accessory such as an equatorial telescope.

〇：Supported

ASTROTRACER: OFF

ASTROTRACER: Type1

Shift the camera’s image sensor in synchronization with the movements of stars (diurnal motion) to prioritize the celestial bodies and stars to be captured as solid points

ASTROTRACER: Type2

Shift the camera’s image sensor half the speed of Type 1 in synchronization with the movements of stars to prioritize capturing the landscape and stars in a good balance.
Compatible model: K-3 Mark III
Information about ASTROTRACER Type3

Simplified equatorial telescope function,
developed using PENTAX-exclusive technologies

In order to keep accurate track of celestial bodies, the O-GPS2 provides a simplified equatorial telescope function that shifts the camera’s SR (Shake Reduction) unit in all directions.
Since this advanced function simplifies astronomical photography by automatically tracing celestial bodies using the camera fixed on a tripod, astronomical photographers of all levels — from the inexperienced to the most dedicated — can capture beautiful night skies with great ease.

■ High-precision tracing of celestial bodies by factoring the camera and O-GPS2′ s alignment into calculation

For linear navigation to the destination

This user-friendly function calculates the direction and distance to a given destination from the current position. You can either locate destinations using location data stored on recorded images, or register and/or assign them by uploading location data created on your PC.

〇：Supported

■ Sample applications of Simple Navigation

Input a desired destination using location data stored on recorded images or GPS location data obtained from social network websites. This function provides you with linear navigation from the current position to the destination, based on the obtained GPS location data.

By sharing detailed data of shooting locations (including the camera’s direction) from image files exchanged on the Internet or via e-mails, you can develop a communication network where you can easily and quickly move to desired shooting locations with the guidance of a navigation system.
This function is perfect for active outdoor photographers, as it not only simplifies the sorting and filing of their own images, but it also lets them easily plan exciting, interesting events, such as an orienteering competition using only photographic data as a clue, or a relaxed traveling shooting session without the need for a PC or smartphone.

Destination setup file

■ How to save and back up destination setup files

The O-GPS2 lets you register up to 40 locations as potential destinations. You can also save them as a “destination setup file” and save the file on an SD memory card as backup data. You can save up to three destination setup files on a single SD memory card, meaning that a total of 120 locations (40 locations x 3 files) can be stored on the card.
When saving these files, simply follow the instructions presented on the Simple Navigation destination management screen.

■ How to read in destination setup files

You can read destination setup files (up to three files) stored on an SD memory card into your camera. When reading in these files, simply follow the instructions presented on the Simple Navigation destination management screen.
Since only one file (with a maximum of 40 locations) can be read into the camera in a single operational sequence, you must repeat the sequence again to read in other files.

Note

If an SD memory card is reformatted, destination setup files stored on it are automatically erased. To avoid accidental loss of such files, we suggest that you copy these files onto your computer as a backup.

Original destination setup files

How to create files

1. Destination setup file

You can read a destination setup file stored on an SD memory card into the camera.
In this case, you may use three text files titled “GPS_DAT*.TXT” (* = 1, 2 or 3).
Files with other titles cannot be read into the camera.
To construct a destination setup file, you must follow the diagram at right.
The numeral * of a DATA * folder must be identical with the numeral * of a GPS_DAT*.TXT file.

• When a destination setup file is read in from an SD memory card, the camera’s existing destination setup data is automatically overwritten with the new read-in data while the existing data is erased.
• When saving the camera’s destination setup data onto an SD memory card, the existing data on the selected DATA* folder is overwritten with the new data while the existing data is erased.
• With the PENTAX 645D, the SD2 slot must be used for saving and reading in the destination setup data.

2. File size

The maximum volume of a destination setup file is 32KB (32,768 bits).
Note: When the data volume of a file exceeds 32KB, the excess data cannot be saved.

3. Maximum number of destinations to be registered

A maximum of 40 destinations can be registered in a single file.

4. Letters, numbers and symbols available for destination setup file title

Only one-bit letters, numerals and symbols, as shown below, can be used for destination setup file titles.

Note: * indicates a space.

5. Storable data

A file title and destination data (names, latitudes and longitudes of destinations) can be stored in each file, and displayed on the camera’s LCD monitor.

A file title is described in TITLE=title contents format.
Destinations data is described in DATA=destination, latitude, longitude format.
A maximum of 40 destinations can be stored in a single file.

For actual data description steps, refer to 6. File setup sample below.

6. File setup sample

The following is preset data.

TITLE=PENTAX
DATA=PENTAX_Itabashi JP,N35.765183,E139.691202
DATA=PENTAX_Shinjuku JP,N35.691744,E139.695467
DATA=PENTAX_Osaka JP,N34.676911,E135.507088
DATA=PENTAX_France,N48.93339,E2.240172
DATA=PENTAX_UK,N51.499112,W0.533009
DATA=PENTAX_Germany,N53.589735,E9.946554
DATA=PENTAX_USA,N39.75636,W105.21981
DATA=PENTAX_Canada,N43.604097,W79.734814
DATA=PENTAX_China,N31.199734,E121.444062

Notes

• File title: A maximum of 18 letters, numerals and symbols can be used.
• Destination name: A maximum of 18 letters, numerals and symbols can be used.
• Latitude data: A whole-number sequence is described by one or two numerals (from 0 to 90).
• Longitude data: A whole-number sequence is described by one to three numerals (from 0 to 180).
• A decimal fraction sequence of latitude and longitude data is described with a maximum of six numerals.

For display and recording of the camera’ s direction at shooting

The O-GPS2’s Electronic Compass function displays the camera’s precise direction at the time of shooting on the camera’s LCD monitor.

〇：Supported　

■ GPS-guided compass to assure accurate pointing of true north

The O-GPS2′ s Electronic Compass is not only useful in all types of outdoor activities, but it is also extremely dependable in astronomical photography, since it tells you true north regardless.

The O-GPS2 points true north with unfailing accuracy by compensating the direction of geomagnetism detected by the built-in magnetic sensor with the magnetic variation of a given spot calculated using GPS location data.