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How to Use the Nikon D7500’s Virtual Horizon Tools

The Nikon D7500 has built-in virtual horizon tools that provide a more precise alternative to the old-fashioned bubble level method of making sure you're shooting level. Here's how to use the three different versions of it.

Nikon D7500 Virtual Horizon Tools

Categories: DSLRs
Tags: Nikon, Nikon D7500 DSLR
Last updated about 6 months ago // Originally published about 3 years ago

Bubble levels mounted in the camera’s hot shoe or on a tripod head are good old-fashioned ways to ensure that you’re shooting level, but the Nikon D7500 also has other options that can be even more precise. It’s the virtual horizon tool.

It looks something you might see in an airplane cockpit. But not only does it measure rotation, it also measures pitch. That is, whether the camera is titled up or down.

On the D7500, there’s not one but three implementations of it, each with its own specific way to access it.

Basic Virtual Horizon on the Back Screen of the Nikon D7500

The most basic version is a virtual horizon graphical indicator on a simple black screen. It’s fundamentally the same as the Live View version, which I cover below, but can be useful in situations where you don’t want to switch on live view for whatever reason or need a high-contrast, uncluttered version. It’s a single-purpose display that takes over the whole screen.

To turn it on, use the camera’s menu. Go down to the wrench icon and scroll down to the Virtual Horizon item.

2017 12 29 14 20 47

It turns itself off after 60 seconds.

Virtual Horizon through the Viewfinder of the Nikon D7500

The second option is to use a simplified version as you look through the viewfinder. This gives strip of black bars across the bottom (rotation) and right side (tilt) when you’re looking through the viewfinder. The more bars there are, the further the camera is from level.

This feature is programmed by default to the customizable Fn1 button, which is tucked away between the handgrip and the lens on the front of the camera. It’s easily accessible with your middle finger when you’re holding the camera with a normal shooting grip. If you happen to have reassigned that button, it’s simple to put it back to the default.

Go into the menu and scroll down the Custom Setting Menu (the pencil icon).

Nikon D7500 Virtual Horizon Viewfinder 1

Then go to section f (Controls). Setting Fn1 Custom control assignment is what you’re looking for.

Nikon D7500 Virtual Horizon Viewfinder 2

Once you go into that (press right) you’ll see where you can assign custom functions to various buttons around the camera. If you want to restore the virtual horizon to Fn1 button, as per the default, you can do it here. But you can also assign it to the Fn2 if you prefer.

Nikon D7500 Virtual Horizon Viewfinder 3

Live View Virtual Horizon on the Nikon D7500

You can also turn on a virtual horizon when using Live View on the back screen. It’s one of several types of informational graphic that is available with Live View, but they’re not all available at once. To enable it for the Live View, first turn the Live View on by hitting the LV button on the bottom right of the back of the camera.

Then press the info button which is directly opposite on the other side of the screen. Keep pressing it to cycle through the graphic displays.

Nikon D7500 Virtual Horizon LiveView 1

It behaves the same way as the basic virtual horizon.

How to Read the Virtual Horizon Graphic on the Nikon D7500

Because it’s a visual indicator, it’s something easier explained with some examples, so I’ve included some below. It shows both amount of rotation and amount of tilt.

This, for example is what it looks like when the camera is completely level both in rotation and in aiming flat. You’ll notice that there’s a single green line. The line changes to green when it’s perfectly level (it also works in portrait/vertical mode).

Nikon D7500 Virtual Horizon 3

This is what it looks like when camera is level across but the lens is pointed down a bit. You can see the yellow lines that simulate a perspective view of a box painted on the ground. The green horizontal line indicates that there’s no rotation.

Nikon D7500 Virtual Horizon 4

This is the same thing, except with the lens pointing slightly up.

Nikon D7500 Virtual Horizon 5

In this example, the camera is rotated anti-clockwise and tilted down, but not pointed down as far as the one above–you can tell because the box doesn’t extend as deep.

Nikon D7500 Virtual Horizon 2

Where to Buy the Nikon D7500

You can find the Nikon D7500 at B&H Photo and Amazon.

It’s sold in a variety of configurations, from the body only to bundles with kit lenses and accessories.

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Images and product information from Amazon PA-API were last updated on 2021-01-03 at 05:19. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on July 2, 2020

Categories: DSLRs
Tags: Nikon, Nikon D7500 DSLR

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News & Deals

With the holidays fast approaching, there’s some great deals on photography gear and services available. I’ve put together a roundup of Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2020 Photography Deals. It’s a running list as new deals are announced, so be sure to check back.

Canon announces new EOS Rebel T8i DSLR. Canon has announced their new T8i DSLR. 24MP APS-C cropped CMOS sensor, 4K24 video, and updated image processing and detection systems. It’s available for preorder from B&H Photo.

New Firmware for the Ricoh GR III. Ricoh has release firmware v1.31 for the GR III. Release notes are: “Corrected — When shooting with the multiple exposure, in rare cases the live view may not display correctly. Improved stability for general performance.” You can download it here.

New Canon 1D X Mark III Pro DSLR Announced. Canon has announced their new flagship model of pro DSLR, the 1D X Mark III. They’re sticking with a 20.1MP CMOS sensor, but it’s a new and improved version and boasts an incredible native ISO range of ISO 100 to ISO 102400 and an extended range that goes up to a jaw-dropping ISO 819200. With revamped autofocus, a new image processor, and all sorts of other bells and whistles, it’s no wonder that Canon is billing it as “The Ultimate EOS.”

New Manfrotto Pro Rugged Memory Cards. Manfrotto, an Italian probably best known for their tripods and studio accessories, has launched a new Pro Rugged range of high-end SD, microSD, and CompactFlash cards. While they don’t have a huge selection of sizes and speeds, the cards are aiming for very fast cards that can put up with rugged demands. For instance, they claim that their V90 rated SD cards can withstand three times the force (20kg / 45 lbs) of a regular SD card. I’ve ordered some to run through my speed tests.

New Sony Alpha a7 firmware released. A firmware update for the Sony a7R IV now lets you control external Sony flashes from the camera’s own menu system. Up to 15 flashes in five groups can be controlled via the camera. It also applies to the a7R III and a7 III.

Comments

  1. Jans Cornelisse says

    March 20, 2020 at 6:37 am

    Hoe krijg ik de visuele horizon op mijn D7500 Nikon weer verwijderd?

    Reply
    • David says

      March 20, 2020 at 1:43 pm

      If you haven’t changed the assigned buttons, you should be able to press Fn1 to toggle it on and off.

      Reply

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