EOS 6d Mark II Used camera Viewfinder Grid Lines - are these able to turn off?

[alyssal]

Recently bought a used 6d mark II from BH photo. These lines I can see consistently through the viewfinder. Even if I mess with viewfinder settings on the camera, they are always there. Am I missing something? Did this camera have a custom viewfinder installed? Lines appear to be permanent? I took a picture of what I'm seeing through the viewfinder with my phone. My old 6d mark ii did not have these lines.

PXL_20260814_220632475.jpg

[deebatman316]

@alyssal the LCD overlay is above the mirror. But your camera is malfunctioning so return for a refund.

[kvbarkley]

If you see it in the mirror it could be etched onto the focusing screen which i believe is interchangeable in those models

[Waddizzle]

My colleagues have suggested that you reset the camera.  Performing a full factory reset on a “new to you” used camera is highly recommended. Except that they’re describing how to reset a mirrorless camera. 

Unlike a DSLR, which only offers one reset option, the MILC bodies offer two, a Basic Settings reset and a Othrr Settings reset. The reset in your DSLR is a Basic soft reset. There are still many customization settings that are not cleared out.

Your DSLR does not offer any option to perform a full hard reset of the entire camera.  To perform a full, hard reset, you are going to need to walk through the entire menu system and reset everything you can find. 

A good example of what I am talking about is the Custom Controls menu.  You can quickly access it by pressing the [Q{ button and selecting the camera icon on the right side.  Many menu options are not multiple choice. They open up to a sub menu of their own, complete with its own reset option.  A Basic reset does not touch any of these.  Another example is time and date. They are not reset, either.

You will need to walk the entire menu system and peek at every menu option. If a setting opens to a submenu, then reset it. You want to start using the camera with all settings in a known state. 

—————-

Back to your grid problem.  See below.

IMG_6035.jpeg

 

[alyssal]

Thank you. BH photo is closed today but I will be calling them first thing tomorrow. I think at this point after clearing all settings I'm still trying to figure out if this was a camera that has an etched screen? Or if this is an LCD malfunction? I don't think any settings will change these lines that are displayed on the mirror? In the attached picture, you can see the lines on the inside of the camera, and how dirty it was upon arrival. So I feel like there was something misrepresented about this camera.

[ebiggs1]

If your example is accurate that is of no focus screen I have ever seen. Really doesn't mean anything because there may be screens I haven't scene but I have several myself. You can do a hard reset. Remove the battery for at least a day or two. Leave it out. Make sure the camera is off and hold the power switch down for a minute or so. Now reinstall the battery and turn it on.

However, I am in favor of you returning it for a different camera because that screen doesn't look 'normal'.

[deebatman316]

@kvbarkley Cameras with an LCD Overlay DO NOT have interchangeable focusing screens. The first camera to use an LCD Overlay is the EOS 7D. The EOS 6D Mark II has an LCD overlay in the viewfinder. So it’s not possible to change focusing screens.

[Waddizzle]

“ Thank you. BH photo is closed today but I will be calling them first thing tomorrow. I think at this point after clearing all settings I'm still trying to figure out if this was a camera that has an etched screen? Or if this is an LCD malfunction? I don't think any settings will change these lines that are displayed on the mirror? In the attached picture, you can see the lines on the inside of the camera, and how dirty it was upon arrival. So I feel like there was something misrepresented about this camera. “

Did you check the setting in the Wrench 2 menu?

That setting controls the OVF. There’s a separate setting for the rear LCD when you turn on Live View mode. 

[Waddizzle]

“ If your example is accurate that is of no focus screen I have ever seen. “

I am certain that the 1Dx has it, too. This is from the 5D Mark IV.  You cannot view the 1Dx manual for some reason. )page 61)

https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/eos-1d-x 

IMG_6065.jpeg

 

[ebiggs1]

“ If your example is accurate that is of no focus screen I have ever seen."

"I am certain that the 1Dx has it, too."

I have the screen. It doesn't look like the example shown.

[kvbarkley]

It looks like a custom guide for something like a microscope camera