We were very fortunate to be visted by a technical represntative from Canon. He was describing upcoming, alternate versions of the Canon EOS 7D body and WFT-E5a wireless transmitter -they will be designated Studio Versions. More after the break.
The Studio Versions will be functionally identical to the regular models except that they will have the capability to embed a 1 or 2 dimensional barcode (up to 255 characters) into the public field of an image’s metadata.
The Studio Version 7D will also have a manager mode built into the firmware which will allow a locking of the controls -forcing the unit to operate only according to the parameters it has been programmed.
Some things to keep in mind: Current EOS 7D bodies and current WFT-E5A units cannot be upgraded by Canon factory service. The barcode-embedding technology will only be available in a Studio Version Eos 7D used with a Studio Version WFT-E5a and a USB or Bluetooth barcode scanner. The USB cable (or dongle) will plug into the E5a’s USB port -this is important because it allows for 2 way data transfer.
So far Canon has tested some Honeywell barcode scanners:
- Honeywell 3800g – General Purpose Linear Image Scanner (scans 1D, traditional barcodes) and operates via USB.
- Honeywell 4600g – General Purpose Area Image Scanner (reads both 1D, traditional and the newer, 2D barcodes -newer Indiana Driver’s licenses have 2D bar codes.) and operates via USB
We’ll be selling the Studio Version 7D and WFT-E5A in two kits at Roberts – one with the Honeywell 3800g and one with the Honeywell 4600g.
These Studio Versions are going to be sold at a premium compared to the regular versions and are targeted at a pretty specific need, as it seems there are no other solutions for in-camera barcode embedding. If you’re still curious (like I was) about why you’d want this functionality think school portraits, corporate head-shots, product/catalog photography -any time where you have numerous subjects, each requiring a unique identifier. With the Studio Versions of the 7D and WFT-E5A, you’ll be able to embed those unique IDs with a scanner and a bar code.
Switch To Mobile Site
I should also point out that users ought to shoot to the card, as the WTF-E5a Studio Version is still a wireless g device, not the faster wireless n protocol.
Nick,
I’m interested to get info on the 7dsv. I have a school district shoot in 2 weeks. By any chance, do you have a 7d studio version kit available for me. I’m photographing grades 7th-12th.
What will it do for me? Will I be able to convert the students info onto a label with a barcode?
Michael,
Dream Photography
412 371-8181
Michael,
The EOS 7D Studio Version will allow you to embed up to 255 characters of bar-code into the image metadata.
The generation of the bar-code itself will have to be done in a different piece of software, of which there are many. At this time I don’t have a specific one to recommend. Checking on the lead time for the studio version.
Just heard back from our illustrious rep, Mr. Stephan. Could be a 30 days for delivery on a Studio Version 7D and WFT-E5a.
Again, these are special order items and were just recently introduced.