Why focussing screens are not imprinted...

baachitraka · Jan 20, 2012

with golden section rule? At-least I do not see any Olympus OM focussing screen in that way.

Aristophanes · Jan 20, 2012

After market custom screen is the answer.

John Koehrer · Jan 20, 2012

You could score lines at the sides to reflect the 1.68xxx in relation to the height of the negative.

Newt_on_Swings · Jan 21, 2012

I thought it would be cool as well, but tried it out on a d*****l setup as a custom loaded screen in a few versions like grids, spiral, both, etc. With canon point and shoot hack.

My conclusion, way to much clutter, and strict adherence to these "rules" makes your pictures worse. Train your eye to see them, but don't force your image to conform to them in every case.

benjiboy · Jan 21, 2012

Because not everyone wants or needs their photographic composition to fit a rigid template, and if you want to use " the rule of thirds " it's east to divide the screen in your mind.

markbarendt · Jan 21, 2012

benjiboy said:
Because not everyone wants or needs their photographic composition to fit a rigid template, and if you want to use " the rule of thirds " it's east to divide the screen in your mind.

+1

mopar_guy · Jan 21, 2012

My favorite focusing screen for general use is the 1-4N (All Matte).

cliveh · Jan 21, 2012

Golden section and rule of thirds should only be thought of as a guiding principle. Composition is a very complex subject, related to many factors and the scene you are photographing. Having a grid on the screen would probably be more of a distraction than an aid.

Existing Light · Jan 21, 2012

baachitraka said:
with golden section rule? At-least I do not see any Olympus OM focussing screen in that way.

The asshole answer: So people can think for themselves and not have to worry about trying to make every subject fit in to some 'ideal' proportion.

A more useful answer (a mere rewording of what everyone else has posted ): The concept of the golden section thing has been used for artists and architects for a long time, and can be found in nature. For some reason, people find it a pleasing format, and it can be if used right. But if you go crazy trying to make everything fit in to that one shape, then you're actually hurting your photography. Use it for the subjects that need it and ignore it for the subjects that would look best it a different format.

I think having it etched on to your focusing screen will make you try to use it every time the camera is pressed against your face

benjiboy · Jan 21, 2012

Existing Light said:
The asshole answer: So people can think for themselves and not have to worry about trying to make every subject fit in to some 'ideal' proportion.

A more useful answer (a mere rewording of what everyone else has posted ): The concept of the golden section thing has been used for artists and architects for a long time, and can be found in nature. For some reason, people find it a pleasing format, and it can be if used right. But if you go crazy trying to make everything fit in to that one shape, then you're actually hurting your photography. Use it for the subjects that need it and ignore it for the subjects that would look best it a different format.

I think having it etched on to your focusing screen will make you try to use it every time the camera is pressed against your face

Exactly.

fstop · Jan 21, 2012

Existing Light said:
The asshole answer: So people can think for themselves and not have to worry about trying to make every subject fit in to some 'ideal' proportion.

A more useful answer (a mere rewording of what everyone else has posted ): The concept of the golden section thing has been used for artists and architects for a long time, and can be found in nature. For some reason, people find it a pleasing format, and it can be if used right. But if you go crazy trying to make everything fit in to that one shape, then you're actually hurting your photography. Use it for the subjects that need it and ignore it for the subjects that would look best it a different format.

I think having it etched on to your focusing screen will make you try to use it every time the camera is pressed against your face

You fergot the classic S-curve too...

The problem is people are accustomed/programmed/taught that these conventions are the only acceptable norm in the art world and for the most part the rest of the world.
The purpose of photography is to convey what YOU see and how you see it.

Why focussing screens are not imprinted...

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