Bad dates after downloading a single roll with old pictures.

Question

Using iPhoto 6.0.5 I downloaded a roll from a camera that I rarely use, with dates starting in 2005 and ending recently. Download went OK but all subsequent rolls (2) have bad "original date" bad "digitized date" and bad "modified date". They are off by a couple of years and as far as I can tell have no correspondence with the unusual roll. Tried to correct by creating a new roll but dates were still bad after. As far as I can tell the times seem to be correct. Dates on identical downloads to backup Powerbook are correct!
TIA
Powerbook G4 12"; iMac Duo 20"   Mac OS X (10.4.9)   768 Mb; 2 Gb
Powerbook G4 12"; iMac Duo 20"   Mac OS X (10.4.8)   768 Mb; 2 Gb
Powerbook G4 12"; iMac Duo 20"   Mac OS X (10.4.9)   768 Mb; 2 Gb
Powerbook G4 12"; iMac Duo 20"   Mac OS X (10.4.8)   768 Mb; 2 Gb

Answer 1

Richard:
If you can export those files out of iPhoto you can batch correct the Capture Date (they are from a digital camera are they not?) with PhotoInfo. Then reimport into iPhoto and the new dates will be recognized. You can do a search for "file date" at VersionTracker.com to get a number of potential applications that can do the job.
If they do not have an EXIF Capture Date then you can use other 3rd party applications to change the Created Date of the file and have iPhoto use that.
Do you Twango?
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've written an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.