DSLR LCD Protection - Needed?!

I am wondering whether or not to purchase a Hoodman protector for my LCD on either my 10D or 20D.

Has anyone really scratched up the display? Does the Hoodman device work?

There's already a plastic cover over the LCD, if you scratch if you can replace it yourself, it's a cheap part to buy online.

I just use a cut-to-size screen protector off my iPaq. Works fine.

I have had a good look at the back of my 20D, and for the life of me, I cannot work out how to remove the existing cover, should I need to replace it.

Has anyone actually done this?

I put a cover on my D30.
I havent put a cover on my 10D.
Both are just fine.

-Pete

If you go to a consumer electronics store, they will sell you cut-to-fit sticky transparent material that can be applied right over the LCD.

If you are cheap, you can use regular transparent sealing tape. You still need to cut it with an X-Acto knife. If it gets messed up after six months, you peel it off and stick on another.

---Bob Gross---

In HK, we have tons of LCD proctector that pre-cut to fit different models. And they come with matt or glossy surface. The best is you can take if off anytime without leaving any mark on the original LCD screen.

I bought one for my 10D some 6 months ago .. I haven't got around to fitting it yet .. doh.

Same here (although a Dell Axim), the PDA screen protectors work fine, and actually did protect mine from a decent gouge.

For the life of me, I can't imagine scratching the LCD cover.

I've been carrying the rebel in my backpack with books, laptop and whatever else I happen to need at school for one year almost. There are no scratches on it. Obviously it's not perfect, but that's not a lens.

To remove it, you use a suction cup.

I went to the dollar store and picked up a package of Fellows PDA screen protectors for......... yup, a buck! Cut them to fit & bingo!! I don't have to worry about it! At about 8 cents each for a little piece of mind.

Thanks Doc, that's essentially my point - is it really needed. I protect my IPOD screen cause I've seen them scratched - it's easy to scratch, based on it's use and handling. The camera is not utilized, nor handled, like an IPOD and I have yet to protect my LCD's on them but started thinkin about it when I was loading my IPOD.

I don't use screen protectors on my iPAQ's and never have. I don't think I will start using one on my 20D's screen either. However, I have a tip in my box of tricks that might be interesting to all of you.

When you get minor scratches on a plastic surface, you can polish them out. Two polishing compounds that I use are: Scratch Out (by Kit - yellow plastic bottle) an Body Repair Finish Restorer (by 3M - black plastic bottle). The 3M product is sold in the automotive touchup paint area of Wal-Mart. Both products or clones are likely to be found at almost any automotive parts house or supplier of auto touchup paint.

What you do with one of these polishing compounds is this: Put a little on a soft cloth (such as an old t-shirt). Rub in small circles all over the plastic. Wipe off the residue with clean soft cloth. Repeat as necessary.

I use this on my wristwatch as well, by the way.

Same here

That's all very nice, but I think some people are funny to allow a possibility of abrasive compounds getting on their lenses.