MG 2.3 XFMG 2.3 Image Metadata Only Shows Filename, Size, and Dimensions — Camera EXIF Missing

[CrazyChef]

I’m running XenForo 2.3.9 with XenForo Media Gallery on a photography-focused forum.

I’m trying to display camera EXIF data in the Media Gallery image sidebar/lightbox.

Here is what I have verified so far:

The image was shot as RAW, processed in Lightroom, exported as a JPEG, and uploaded directly to XFMG.

Before upload, I verified that the exported JPEG contains full EXIF data, including camera model, lens/exposure information, ISO, shutter speed, aperture, focal length, date taken, etc.

PHP EXIF support is enabled on the server. phpinfo shows:

EXIF Support: enabled
Supported filetypes: JPEG, TIFF

In XFMG, the sidebar is working and the Image metadata section appears correctly, but it only shows:

Filename
File size
Dimensions

It does NOT show camera EXIF fields such as:

Camera model
Lens
Aperture
Shutter speed
ISO
Focal length
Date taken

I also confirmed that XFMG EXIF phrases exist in the ACP, including:

xfmg_exif_aperture
xfmg_exif_date_taken
xfmg_exif_device
xfmg_exif_exposure
xfmg_exif_flash

So it appears that XFMG still has EXIF display support internally, but those fields are not appearing in the actual Media Gallery view.

I checked the XFMG options and could not find a setting for selecting or enabling displayed EXIF fields.

Another important detail:

Media storage is being offloaded to Cloudflare R2 using the DigitalPoint App for Cloudflare.

Could the R2/offload pipeline affect the point where XFMG extracts EXIF data from uploaded images?

I also noticed this XenForo bug report which sounds potentially related:

“XF.AttachmentManager/XF.ImageTools destroys EXIF data”

At this stage, I am NOT trying to preserve embedded EXIF inside the processed/downloaded JPEG. I understand processed images may lose embedded metadata during resizing/processing.

What I’m specifically trying to accomplish is:

Display the extracted camera EXIF information in the XFMG media sidebar/lightbox.

Is there a current XenForo 2.3 / XFMG 2.3 setting, template behavior, processor behavior, known issue, or incompatibility that would cause only basic file metadata to appear while camera EXIF fields are omitted?

 

[CrazyChef]

 

[CrazyChef]

Additional detail: I do not think Cloudflare R2 is the original cause. I had uploaded this same image before moving Media Gallery storage to R2, and the camera EXIF fields were not showing then either.

So the issue appears to have existed with local/default media storage as well.

The current downloaded image has the same pixel dimensions as the original, but the file size is much smaller, DPI changed from 240 to 96, and the camera EXIF fields were stripped. Image optimization and WebP conversion are both disabled.

 

[CrazyChef]

Additional testing:

I created a temporary standalone PHP test file outside XenForo using exif_read_data() and uploaded the same original Lightroom-exported JPEG before it went through XFMG.

PHP successfully read the EXIF data from the file.

The output included:

Make: NIKON CORPORATION
Model: NIKON D5300
Software: Adobe Lightroom 9.3.1
DateTimeOriginal: 2026:05:10 17:54:50
ExposureTime: 1/2
FNumber: 29/1
ISOSpeedRatings: 5000
FocalLength: 1050/10
FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 157
Lens: 105.0 mm f/2.8

So the JPEG definitely contains readable EXIF, and PHP EXIF on the server can read it correctly.

However, after upload to XFMG, the media sidebar still only displays filename, file size, and dimensions.

This seems to indicate the issue is not the JPEG, Lightroom, PHP EXIF, GD/Imagick availability, R2 storage, or the server’s ability to read EXIF.

The remaining question is why XFMG is not storing/displaying the EXIF that PHP can clearly read before the image is processed.

 

[PhineasD]

I had the same problem a while ago when installing XFMG, but it was fixed by rebuilding the master data.

 

[CrazyChef]

I had the same problem a while ago when installing XFMG, but it was fixed by rebuilding the master data.

I don't see anything that says master data in the Tools > Rebuild Caches area. I'm running XF 2.3.9 and XFMG 2.3.5 if that matters

 

[PhineasD]

I don't see anything that says master data in the Tools > Rebuild Caches area. I'm running XF 2.3.9 and XFMG 2.3.5 if that matters

Why don't you use the same version in XF and XFMG? The 2.3.5 of XFMG was exactly the one that caused the problem for me; I would update to 2.3.9, just like your forum.

I meant rebuilding the XF master data from the URL:

https://yourforum/install/index.php?upgrade/

 

[CrazyChef]

Probably because I'm an idiot sometimes.

 

[PhineasD]

Probably because I'm an idiot sometimes.

Try updating to version 2.3.9. When I opened the support ticket, XF told me to update or rebuild the master data, and it worked for me.

 

[CrazyChef]

Why don't you use the same version in XF and XFMG? The 2.3.5 of XFMG was exactly the one that caused the problem for me; I would update to 2.3.9, just like your forum.

That did it! Man, I've been working on this for literally like 5 hours, and all I needed to do was update XFMG. DAMN!!!

 

[PhineasD]

Glad it's fixed!

I lost my mind over this back then... I learned that it's better to keep the same versions to avoid avoid compatibility problems.

 

[CrazyChef]

I don't

Glad it's fixed!

I lost my mind over this back then... I learned that it's better to keep the same versions to avoid avoid compatibility problems.

Thanks! I don't suppose you have any advice about uploading NEF, DNG, or other RAW format files, do you? That's my next problem.

 

[PhineasD]

I don't

Thanks! I don't suppose you have any advice about uploading NEF, DNG, or other RAW format files, do you? That's my next problem.

I have no idea, sorry. I currently use XFMG for the mirror option with webp, and I don’t allow users to upload images.

 

[CrazyChef]

I have no idea, sorry. I currently use XFMG for the mirror option with webp, and I don’t allow users to upload images.

Just thought maybe you might know. At any rate thanks again for your help with the EXIF data problem!