Wouldn't It Be Nice If

I agree on the rule of thirds in the viewfinder. I recently looked up a new viewfinder screen for the 5D with an etched thirds intersecting lines, something like $129 usd. Seems a bit overpriced to me. They dont even make one for the 20D that I can find. Why couldnt all the settings (histogram,etc) be controlled with the big wheel and shown on the view screen one at a time.

Hermeto wrote in post #2925532
Wouldn’t it be nice if we had focusing points according to the Rule of Thirds?
That's one of the first lessons we learn about composition and yet, they never put focusing points to the right spots!

If you have a 1.6x dSLR you are already getting an advantage by having a smaller recorded area in regards to AF point coverage. Look at the film Elan 7 series. They basically have the 7 AF points the 10D/Drebel does but with the full 35mm negative frame. With a smaller sensor the AF points will cover more of your viewfinder.

So I wouldn't complain so much unless you have a 5D or Elan 7 film camera.

Glenn NK wrote in post #2926217
The 10D firmware was successfully hacked to permit it to do 20D things (can't recall what, but it was discussed on this forum not too long ago).

Programmable focus points? Not much cost either.

No. The 300D/Digital Rebel firmware was hacked to give it most of the 10D's functionality. No subsequent EOS models have had hacked firmware. It was only possible since the 300D and 10D used essentially the same firmware, with chunks of code turned off in the 300D.

Programmable focus points? What exactly do you mean by that? We already have control over which AF point's used.

Hermeto wrote in post #2926876
Definition/understandi​ng of those terms, to begin with..

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Rule_of_thirds

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Golden_ratio

Having focus point at the intersections of thirds would eliminate the need for croping in post production, or focusing/recomposing while composing the shot in viewfinder.

Let me know if you also do not understand focusing/recomposing in photography, I’ll try to explain..

It appears that 'The Rule of Thirds' is, indeed, a simplistic (and inaccurate), teaching of 'The Golden Mean Rule'. Shame. While I like and pay extra for the etched lines on my screens, when possiable, it has nothing to do with 'The Rule of Thirds'. It is solely a tool in composition. While the use of 'The Rule of Thirds' may be more artisticly desirable than placing the subject in the center of a photograph, it is not as appealing as applying the 'Golden Mean Rule'. Also, regarding " Let me know if you also do not understand focusing/recomposing in photography, I’ll try to explain..", thanks for the offer but, no.

TomHuckWa wrote in post #2926924
I agree on the rule of thirds in the viewfinder. I recently looked up a new viewfinder screen for the 5D with an etched thirds intersecting lines, something like $129 usd. Seems a bit overpriced to me. They dont even make one for the 20D that I can find. Why couldnt all the settings (histogram,etc) be controlled with the big wheel and shown on the view screen one at a time.

Ahhh, someone else is listening and thinking. I believe that Nikon can do it in the firmware - the lines can be turned on and off - correct me if I'm wrong. And please don't get defensive about Canon's features because I compare them to Nikon - I'm a staunch Canon fan - I just think they can do better with very little effort and expenditure on their part.

Right now we can scroll through the image, histogram, etc using the "INFO" button. All I need is to have one more option - have the histogram fill the entire LCD. Is this neurosurgery on Canon's part? Is the size of a histogram limited by some rule of programming firmware?

This does not "require building a whole new camera". I've read wish lists on various forums, and a larger LCD a frequent wish - having the histogram fill the "whole" 2.5 inches doesn't even require new hardware.

jr_senator wrote in post #2927632
It appears that 'The Rule of Thirds' is, indeed, a simplistic (and inaccurate), teaching of 'The Golden Mean Rule'. Shame. While I like and pay extra for the etched lines on my screens, when possiable, it has nothing to do with 'The Rule of Thirds'. It is solely a tool in composition. While the use of 'The Rule of Thirds' may be more artisticly desirable than placing the subject in the center of a photograph, it is not as appealing as applying the 'Golden Mean Rule'. Also, regarding " Let me know if you also do not understand focusing/recomposing in photography, I’ll try to explain..", thanks for the offer but, no.

I understand BOTH terms, thank you very much. And there's no need to be rude and condescending, especially when it doesn't really pertain to the OP's original query. We're all here to help one another, not start a flame war.

Lisa, I think you meant to direct your comments to Hermeto.

I think it'd be nice if we had the split-hair focusing system for manual focusing. Trying to do so without the split-hair is really hard. Even with my glasses on I know I won't get it focused correctly.

AV6Scott wrote in post #2930324
I think it'd be nice if we had the split-hair focusing system for manual focusing. Trying to do so without the split-hair is really hard. Even with my glasses on I know I won't get it focused correctly.

That was one of the nicest features of my last SLR - a Canon A-1. Talk about a rugged camera - it was the prime reason I selected a Canon DSLR. Could have used it to defend myself and it wouldn't have been damaged.

To Jon:

I think what Hermeto was referring to was selectable focus points located at the intersections of Rule of Third lines; at least that's what I interpret it to mean.