Rule of Thirds with the Canon Rebel 7D

If you read the previous post I did regarding the Rule of Thirds with the Canon Rebel T2i then you already know the scoop behind this post. If you haven't either click the link above or here's a brief introduction. Below is a series of pictures shot using each of the 19 focus points on the 7D. The objective is to see which of those points line up with a rule of thirds grid.

Simulated 7D Focusing Screen
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Another masterpiece I created all by myself. Move over Scott Kelby there's a new Photoshop guy in town :).


Keep in mind the focus point was placed, as close as possible on the hole in the front door of the bird house so we'll be looking at how close that hole is in relation to the rule of thirds grid lines.

01
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This picture was taken using focus point #1. As you can see using the center point doesn't come close to any of the grid lines but still for birds in flight this is the point I'll use most often.

02
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #2. It's better because it falls just below the upper horizontal line.

03
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #3. As you can see this is very close to falling on the exact intersection of the horizontal and vertical lines. I'll be using this focus point more in the future.

04
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #4. It's not even close so unless it gets selected when shooting using all 19 focus points I'm not likely to use it.

05
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This shot was taken after moving the focus point to #5. It's a little low as far as the upper horizontal line goes but because it is pretty close to the horizontal line it's worth using.

06
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #6. Because it falls well out side of either line I'm not likely to use it.

07
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #7. It's close but not really close enough that I'd likely use it.

08
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #8. Like #3 above this one is pretty close to falling right on the lower right hand intersection. This will be a preferred focus point in the future.

09
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #9. Again it's close but not quite close enough in my book.

10
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #10. It would to in a pinch if I couldn't select a better focus point to use.

11
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #11. Close but not close enough. 

12
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #12. Like #3 and #8 before it I'm making it a preferred focusing point.

13
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #13. Nope, doesn't cut it, IMO. Which is odd because 13 has been a lucky number for me.

14
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #14. It will work since it falls along a vertical line but it's not an optimal focus point.

15
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #15. It can join #13 in the I won't be using focus point club.

16
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #16. It's close but not likely to be used very often.

17
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #17. Bingo another one that comes very close to matching the exact intersection. So far we have #3, #8, #12 and #17 in the preferred focus point club.

18
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #18. It falls above the upper horizontal line so I probably wouldn't use it.

19
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This picture was taken after moving the focus point to #19. Although it falls below the horizontal line it's pretty close so I suppose it could be used in a pinch.


So in my opinion the optimal focus points to use with your 7D if you want to follow the rule of thirds are #3, #8, #12, and #17. Do you agree or disagree? Discuss....