I didn't know the 40D did that !!!!!

Which makes sense, as if you don't press the button when you take the picture, then there was no active focus point at that time.

It's always good to read the manual. This thread also makes me wonder about all the "problem 40D's" and what their users did or didn't do.

Both of the "I didn't know the 40d did that" comments are good ones and I have them set on mine. Since soo many were interested in the focus point thing I thought I would mention zoom browser will also show you your focus points. See the attached pic...
Another helpful feature of the 40d is HTP (highlight tone priority). C. Fn II #3 enable. This will help with blown out areas in hard to shoot situations.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

jmik26 wrote in post #5996305
Another helpful feature of the 40d is HTP (highlight tone priority). C. Fn II #3 enable. This will help with blown out areas in hard to shoot situations.

I didn't read the manual yet (I have a 20D as well.) but in highlight tone priority I noticed I couldn't get the ISO below 200.

I'll have to go through the manual on that one...

-Mario

m3rdpwr wrote in post #5996343
...but in highlight tone priority I noticed I couldn't get the ISO below 200.

Correct. HTP prevents going slower than 200 and I think it prevents going above 1600.

krb wrote in post #5996359
Correct. HTP prevents going slower than 200 and I think it prevents going above 1600.

And it reduces the bit space for the darks so it'll make shadows worse looking. Not to be used for everyday shooting IMO.

Some interesting things in this thread. May I ask, I have turned AF Point display on, however all of the squares are always red, weather that point is in focus or not, was there something I could do to make the red points only what is in focus?

Do you mean that in every picture you take, all the squares are lit, all the time, no matter the focus? I think mine only has all the boxes lit up when I am actually focused and all the points are in focus or when I initially set "all focus points active" after say using the center focus point or another focus point. It is like a confirmation saying you are now using all focus points.

Can't see this setting anywhere or even in the manual, SOT, where did you find that setting?

fubarhouse wrote in post #5996949
Some interesting things in this thread. May I ask, I have turned AF Point display on, however all of the squares are always red, weather that point is in focus or not, was there something I could do to make the red points only what is in focus?

If you have the camera in "AI Servo" mode all focus points will light up in the preview.

Not exactly "i didn't know that" but i find Live View very useful for checking the focus accuracy of a lens.
Ive only just started to use it for this and it seems to help take away some user error.

mzad wrote in post #6005423
If you have the camera in "AI Servo" mode all focus points will light up in the preview.

Only when Auto AF point selection is chosen.
(Unless the 40D works different from any other Canon)

Elbee19 wrote in post #5988758
Since this is an "I didn't know it did that!" thread, I was messing around with my 40D and found out if you hit the info button twice the information on the top lcd screen shows on the back lcd. Not only does the same information show up (nice and big too), but it behaves the same too. When you change aperture or shutter speed it toggles just the same as if you are looking at the top screen.

I'm not real sure how useful this feature is but got to thinking for someone with poor eyesight it might be helpful.

On the menu, 5th item along, 4th one down, you can specify what you want the LCD to display. `Shoot. func' gives you a duplicate of the top screen. I find that I didn't use the other mode at all.

mzad wrote in post #6005423
If you have the camera in "AI Servo" mode all focus points will light up in the preview.

Haha, thanks for clearing that up Mzad, Mine is fixed in AI Servo now, which explains everything. Shot in other modes the other night, custom settings and such and noticed it was working. Cheers!

I'll admit it ... I got my 40D & stuck one of those little plastic lcd protectors on it - not even realizing the hard plastic cover WAS a protector.