The camera grid is a feature that divides the view of the camera screen using horizontal and vertical lines. Photographers often put the grid display on their DSLR camera viewfinders to check the camera tilt or compose the shot.
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This article highlights the steps to activate the viewfinder feature of DSLR cameras. However, it is crucial to start by knowing more about your DSLR cameras and viewfinders.
Understanding Your DSLR Camera
A DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera is a digital camera that combines the optics and the mechanisms of an SLR camera with a digital imaging sensor. Its reflex design mode is the primary difference compared to other digital cameras.
In DSLRs, light travels through the lens to an alternating mirror. The mirror transmits the captured image to a prism, visible through the viewfinder or image sensor. The moment you take a picture with your DSLR, its mirror sways out of the way, and the light escapes to the digital image sensor.
Discover all the features of your DSLR camera in our article about All Camera Features You Should Know In Your DSLR Camera.
Realistically, digital cameras are difficult to understand and operate. The Menu systems are filled with several options, making it difficult to get a perfect uniform setting. However, one must understand them to capture good photos.
We know that understanding the various types of cameras, settings, and techniques can be overwhelming if you are new to the photography industry. Thus, we have provided this master article – camera 101, to help all beginners and even experienced photographers understand their cameras.
Click Below to know all about Cameras, From start to end.
A Simple Meaning Of A Camera Grid
The grid is a tool that helps the photographer frame images in a more precise way. It is used for both horizontal and vertical compositions. However, photographers usually place it on the viewfinder so that it covers one-third of the screen.
The ViewFinder As A Key Component Of A DSLR Camera
To effectively put and play with a grid on your DSLR, it is vital for you to get a detailed understanding of the viewfinder.
The viewfinder is a rectangle-shaped rubber-coated part of the camera. It is located at the top center rear part of the camera to allow the photographer to see his subject before taking a shot. The viewfinder allows the person behind the camera to preview the image to be snapped by the camera lens, which will not differ substantially from what is captured by your camera sensor.
It is an essential part of cameras, as it helps to check the camera tilt or compose the shot. Some fully digital viewfinders even show details such as shutter speed, aperture, and ISO during the shooting process.
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What Are The Type Of Viewfinder On DSLR Cameras?
There are two types of viewfinders on DSLR cameras. These include optical and electronic viewfinders.
1. Optical Viewfinder
The optical viewfinder is the part of the camera photographer looks through when composing and taking a shot. It is referred to as ‘optical’ because what the photographer sees comes directly from what the lens is seeing. As light enters the lens, it hits the mirror, reflects up, and goes through the pentaprism. The result of this action is the optical viewfinder depicting the exact image that the lens sees without the involvement of any electronic elements.
Some Benefits Of The Optical ViewFinder
1. Aside from showing the scene, it gives the photographer extra information about the current state/settings of the camera.
2. It draws no power from the battery, aiding optimized battery life.
3. You also see the scene with the magnification that your focal length offers.
2. The Electronic Viewfinder
The electronic viewfinder in mirrorless cameras is similar to the LCD screen live view in DSLRs. It gives all the advantages of Live View mode. This means that it shows a live preview of what is in the frame.
Some Benefits Of Electronic Viewfinders
1. Electronic viewfinders can be used for focus peaking during manual focus to reach the highest accuracy.
2. Electronic viewfinders also offer various live information.
3. The visible histogram in the electronic viewfinder helps you to spot underexposure or overexposure.
4. There is room to use grids to level the images.
A few problems associated with electronic viewfinders include
1. Poor performance in low light.
2. It consumes battery energy.
3. Bad resolution compared to optical viewfinders.
Note: Some DSLR cameras come with both optical and electronic viewfinders. However, it does not mean there are two eyepieces. Instead, the LCD screen Live View functions as the second electronic viewfinder. The only problem with this system is that the viewfinder gets blocked whenever you take a shot.
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Putting A Grid On Your DSLR Camera Viewfinder Is Not An Old Technique
The framing grid is a popular photography technique used to create a planned composition for a photograph. Although many photographers think putting a grid on your camera viewfinder is an old technique, it has its own merits and should not be disregarded.
Putting a grid on your camera viewfinder can help with composition and symmetry in the photo and add interest to the pictures. It can also create a sense of balance in an image because it forces you to place your subject off-center and in a way that creates symmetry.
Start Putting Grid On Your DSLR Camera Viewfinder
Different cameras have different setups. Hence the settings for activating grids in viewfinders might not be the same for all cameras; however, they are relatively similar. The following steps are the most common settings to put a grid on your DSLR camera viewfinders;
Steps To Put Framing Grid On Your Nikon DSLR Cameras
1. Power on your Nikon DSLR camera
2. Press the MENU button to display the menu screen.
3. Click on Setup and select display
4. Select Grid display, then press On to display a framing grid on your Nikon camera.
Steps To Put Framing Grid On Nikon Z Series DSLRs
1. Turn on the camera
2. Click on the menu button
3. Select the custom menu option
4. Select option [d], which is shooting and display
5. Scroll down to [d9], which is on top of the second page, and click on the framing grid display
6. You will see options of turning on or off the framing grid display. Select the former option.
Steps To Put Framing Grid On Your Canon DSLR Cameras.
1. Power on your Canon DSLR camera
2. Click on the menu button to display the camera menu screen
3. Click the < > button, then select the [ ] tab.
4. Select the Viewfinder display option and click on set
5. Select the grid display option and click set
6. Select show and press set
7. Click the menu button again to exit the menu screen.
Steps To Put Grid On Sony DSLR Cameras
1. Power on your Sony DSLR camera.
2. Press the menu button
3. Click on custom settings
4. Select the Gridline option
5. Select your desired option between the rule of 3rd grid, square grid, and Diagonal + square grid.
Note: You can turn off the grid display on your camera through the same procedures.
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Bonus: What Are The Differences Between The Grid Options On Sony Cameras?
1. The Rule Of 3rd Grid Option
The rule of 3rd grid places your main subjects near one of the grid lines that divide the image into thirds to hence a well-balanced composition.
2. The Square Grid Option
The square grid option on Sony DSLR cameras makes it more straightforward for you to confirm the horizontal line of your image composition. This option is suitable when capturing landscape and close-up portrait images.
3. The Diagonal + Square Grid Option
This option places your subjects on a diagonal line.
We recommend that you experiment with each option to determine their uniqueness.
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