Preface: My D7500 has always had the 9 Square (rule of thirds) grid visible through the viewfinder. About a year ago, it disappeared replaced by the "Framing Grid". No 9 square display visible which I have become used to using for composition. Since that time, I have been on several forums including this one, seeking advice. Some of the advice included turn the viewfinder grid ON, ensure that the mode is DX not 3.2. make sure you don't have the Horizon tool turned on. Check that the viewfinder grid is not activated by a "function" switch. And, many more suggestions, none which have worked.
IT has a been sent to a major repair facility in Illinois only to come back with the issue sustained. They did clean the camera and check the Firmware, so there's that, at a cost of $300 but no viewfinder grid+. More recently I sent it to Nikon Service facility in NY. The first time, they informed me that there was nothing wrong with the camera other than a very small issue with the aperture adjustment lever being slightly bent. The tech informed me that the camera was "in perfect working order and there were NO ISSUES found and the "viewfinder grid display" was in good working order. Cost, $400+! But, when I excitedly opened the box looking forward to having my viewfinder grid back in place, I was hugely disappointed to again only see the "framing grid" (a rectangular display with vertical lines all around it. Needless to say, I was immediately on the phone to Nikon.
The rep told me to send it back and emailed me the return forms and label. The camera has been at Nikon for 2-3 weeks now and I recently received a request to allow them to ship it back to me because,........."there is nothing wrong with camera. All grid displays are functioning properly." I replied to him that since that is the case, please ensure that the viewfinder nine square, rule of thirds grid is visible through the viewfinder {not the viewing screen because it still shows up there when in Live mode). To date, 12/15/25 the camera has not arrived. I have contacted them twice by email requesting the camera be shipped back to me.
Question: It has occurred to me that maybe I am missing something. I have found on line an instruction that addresses the viewfinder grid re-activation. It states. "Turn the viewfinder on, then CHOOSE THE GRID YOU WANT". Where might that be? I have not found anything in the camera menus that gives you a choice of viewfinder grid! Am I missing something? Is there someone out there, on this forum, that may be able to walk me through the steps to this mysterious place where the "choose the grid" switch resides? Or does it even exist? Or, any other ideas you might have that I could try. Yes, the camera has undergone the two-button reset! Many times.
As it stands now; if and when Nikon returns my camera, if the grid is not visible, I guess I will just retrain myself to suffer with the Framing Grid and cross my fingers that I get the composition correct (I shoot wildlife).
Sorry for the long post but I am extremely frustrated with this seemingly unrepairable issue. I know for a fact that other folks have had the same issue and couldn't get it resolved either. Thanks for any help you can provide.
IT has a been sent to a major repair facility in Illinois only to come back with the issue sustained. They did clean the camera and check the Firmware, so there's that, at a cost of $300 but no viewfinder grid+. More recently I sent it to Nikon Service facility in NY. The first time, they informed me that there was nothing wrong with the camera other than a very small issue with the aperture adjustment lever being slightly bent. The tech informed me that the camera was "in perfect working order and there were NO ISSUES found and the "viewfinder grid display" was in good working order. Cost, $400+! But, when I excitedly opened the box looking forward to having my viewfinder grid back in place, I was hugely disappointed to again only see the "framing grid" (a rectangular display with vertical lines all around it. Needless to say, I was immediately on the phone to Nikon.
The rep told me to send it back and emailed me the return forms and label. The camera has been at Nikon for 2-3 weeks now and I recently received a request to allow them to ship it back to me because,........."there is nothing wrong with camera. All grid displays are functioning properly." I replied to him that since that is the case, please ensure that the viewfinder nine square, rule of thirds grid is visible through the viewfinder {not the viewing screen because it still shows up there when in Live mode). To date, 12/15/25 the camera has not arrived. I have contacted them twice by email requesting the camera be shipped back to me.
Question: It has occurred to me that maybe I am missing something. I have found on line an instruction that addresses the viewfinder grid re-activation. It states. "Turn the viewfinder on, then CHOOSE THE GRID YOU WANT". Where might that be? I have not found anything in the camera menus that gives you a choice of viewfinder grid! Am I missing something? Is there someone out there, on this forum, that may be able to walk me through the steps to this mysterious place where the "choose the grid" switch resides? Or does it even exist? Or, any other ideas you might have that I could try. Yes, the camera has undergone the two-button reset! Many times.
As it stands now; if and when Nikon returns my camera, if the grid is not visible, I guess I will just retrain myself to suffer with the Framing Grid and cross my fingers that I get the composition correct (I shoot wildlife).
Sorry for the long post but I am extremely frustrated with this seemingly unrepairable issue. I know for a fact that other folks have had the same issue and couldn't get it resolved either. Thanks for any help you can provide.
