Michael's Open Letter

[DiaAzul]

Re Michael's open letter to camera manufacturers requesting an ISO setting that's not buried in deep menus and that is visible in the viewfinder.

The Minolta A1 and A2 (and maybe the A200) already have this. Not a separate wheel for ISO, true, but leave the little gizmo on the left side set to ISO, hold down one button, and your rear wheel becomes an ISO wheel.

Initially I found this comment a little strange as well, but then I assumed it was a more general comment as in applying to all manufacturers and not just a few who have adopted a more accessible approach. The Canon 1-series (which MR seems to use a lot) can also display ISO in the viewfinder, though adjusting ISO is a two buttons and a twiddle rather than just a single wheel. However, there are many other cameras out there where it is necessary to dive into the menus to find out what ISO is set and then to be able to change it.

[BryanHansel]

I would like to see an extra wheel for ISO, and an ISO display in the viewfinder that was always on.

[stubloom]

Re Michael's open letter to camera manufacturers requesting an ISO setting that's not buried in deep menus and that is visible in the viewfinder.

The Minolta A1 and A2 (and maybe the A200) already have this. Not a separate wheel for ISO, true, but leave the little gizmo on the left side set to ISO, hold down one button, and your rear wheel becomes an ISO wheel.

[sosojerk]

I think that MR is refering to DSLRs with his open letter mainly.
Unfotunatelly, not all DSLRs have the ISO in the viewfinder.My D70 doesn't have it and I am missing it every day.
An additional dial for ISO would be too much I think, so the D70 solution seems quite OK for me (push one button and the rear dial becomes the ISO dial).
I do agree with the bracketing funtion proposed improvements.3 shots are not enough.We will see in the coming years that this funtion will be improved in the low end DSLR as well as in yop level ones (D2X etc).

[jani]

I think that MR is refering to DSLRs with his open letter mainly.
Unfotunatelly, not all DSLRs have the ISO in the viewfinder.My D70 doesn't have it and I am missing it every day.

As a 20D owner, I also miss it.  When the camera is on a tripod, it's bloody annoying to have to stand on my toes and lean over to see what I'm adjusting from and to.

An additional dial for ISO would be too much I think, so the D70 solution seems quite OK for me (push one button and the rear dial becomes the ISO dial).

Yes, this is exactly how it works with the 20D, and I think this is adequate, too.

I do agree with the bracketing funtion proposed improvements.3 shots are not enough.We will see in the coming years that this funtion will be improved in the low end DSLR as well as in yop level ones (D2X etc).

I certainly hope so, too.  And I really wish that the self-timer (on the 20D, at least) could do all bracketing shots in succession without me having to press the release for each shot.  Sheesh.

But, if I recall correctly, the latter is something that my brand new remote can do something about.