Camera Labs

Manufacturer's web site: http://www.digicover.de/

About 2 weeks after getting the Sony A350, I managed to put a small scratch on the LCD screen. The screen sticks out, so it isn't possible to get the hard covers that are available for other models. After some searching, I came across digicover.

They come in a variety of sizes. I bought a bigger size that I needed, but it is easy to cut to size.

It comes supplied in a card envelope. Inside that is a folded instruction sheet and a paper envelope containing 3 'foils' as they call them. These are somewhat stiff but thin plastic sheets with adhesive on it. There is a thin backing layer. It is clear and colourless so should not have an impact on the image.

The fitting instructions call for a cleaning of the screen. Peel away the backing and apply the cover. The instructions gives two methods on avoiding air bubbles and dust. I went for the breathing on the screen method, which didn't work well as it evaporated before I got the tape on. There were some slight marks when I didn't apply the tape at a constant rate, and a few patches that are hard to describe. They do not look like bubbles or trapped dust. I tried to press the marks out but they didn't go away. There are also a couple of slightly opaque patches, which according to the instructions are normal for trapped moisture and should disappear with time.

I then turned on the camera to check out the display. The film is very transparent. In general I didn't notice it there, apart from the few small patches which look like when you get water drops on a display. The instructions recommend to wait to let the film settle and any excess moisture should go away. After leaving it overnight, the previously listed imperfections have disappeared. So as they say it does take a bit of time to settle in.

The protective film does feel quite tough. I think if you can damage the film, you would have damaged the screen if the film wasn't there. It should serve well as a sacrificial layer. I'd say if you can apply the film well, it will work great.

Notes:
* The instructions on their web site are slightly different than the ones supplied with the pack.
* Their web site mentions another version they call digicover plus. This is claimed to have a self healing surface which the non-plus version doesn't have.

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Update now that it has been left overnight. All the previously listed imperfections have disappeared. So as they say it does take a bit of time to settle in.

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Yup, got one of those as a gift for my D80. Even though it's not a necessity since it has an LCD cover , it still adds a little more reassurance (it also came with a cover for the top LCD display). Whats better is that it comes with a 5 year guarantee.

For the first few days it did darken my display a bit, but now it's back to normal again. A decent investment if the LCD screen has no protective cover yet.

One more thing I noticed after applying it is that the angle of view (if I phrased that correctly) has increased slightly, not that this is critical.

I haven't given mine much use yet. Only put it on shortly before bed time last night But it did seemed good this morning.

After re-reading what I originally wrote, I have decided to rewrite it including the waiting. Remind me not to write stuff just before bed time again XD

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.