a700, lcd, a word of caution
Posted on: Thu, 05/22/2008 - 5:53pm
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a700, lcd, a word of caution
I encountered a problem with the lcd screen on my a700. I attempted to polish out some minor swirl marks with a mild plastic polish and ended up removing most of the anti-glare coating. I knew should have placed a protective cover over the screen but I was in a hurry to try out my new camera. I never had a problem with my a100 lcd screen without a protective cover. I figured the a700 should be ok for a 1 day hike - what a moron!
Here's what I have to pass along. The screen is anti-glare coated, very easy to damage, and should not be cleaned with any abrasive compounds or fluids. Any light scratches or swirl marks cannot be polished out because it is the anti-glare coating that is damaged. I only clean the screen with a quality lens cloth and a light fog from my breath....after I remove any dust or particles with a lens brush or hand blower. Even Lenspen warns against using some of their products on lcds that have anti-glare coatings.
In my case once the anti-glare was destroyed the lcd was virtually impossible to see because of the glare created by the damage. Sort of an iridescent green, shine like chrome effect. In fact, even in the dark, the light from the lcd reflected back on the screen and blocked out detail.
I sent the camera to Sony repair and said in my notes that I screwed up and ruined the screen and that I expected to be billed for repair. I was absolutely floored when Sony fixed my camera under warranty - no charge. I placed a lcd protector on my camera immediately after repair. It will never be without one. I learned my lesson the hard way.
Rob
a100, a200, a700, cz 16-80, sal 50 1.4 macro, sal 18-200, tamron 70-300 macro
Welcome to AMW Rob and thanks for the warning. I have the A100 and usually use a microfiber cloth on it now and then.
Royston
A100(18-70mm kit), Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8, Minolta 50mm F1.7, Quantaray 70-300mm F4-5.6
http://roystonkane.com/blog/
I used a special LCD display cleaning stuff that is alcohol free. It caused no damage to the A700 LCD that is perceivable to me.
Sony A700, Sony A100(sold), Maxxum 7xi, and Maxxum 700si.
I'd also like to welcome you here and thank you for sharing this story and for being so honest about your mistake as well, most people aren't.
I had assumed the anti-glare properties were "mixed" into the hard clear polycarbonate coating over the lcd, not that a coating had been applied. I have used my lens pen once on mine, but I won't now as a result of this story. I have the hard cover on mine.
Did you send it to Precision Camera for repair?
Carl
-AlphaMountWorld Chef-
"You can't legislate morality or common sense."
Carl
I made the same assumption you did which is why I used a polycarbonate specific plastic polish.
I sent it to the Sony Customer Satisfaction Center in Laredo, TX. I was impressed with Sony Online Support - service and repair. Log on get a Event ID#, print out a UPS shipping label and track both the shipping and repair status on line. They sent my camera back in about 2 weeks via UPS 3-day select.
Did I mention that I did get rid of the swirl marks................
Rob
Hi all i am new to the site and currently a Nikon D40 user, though not for long as my neighbor is buy it from me and i am getting an Alpha A300!! I just wanted to comment here as it was actually surprising to see that Sony has a customer service center here! That's neat and convenient considering i happen to live here in Laredo,Texas :)
to the site, I think you're going to love your forthcoming A300. Show us some pictures from Texas sometime when you get it :)
have fun
Eric
-AlphaMountWorld Chef
I came across this with an Olympus E-330. After only a couple of weeks the screen was quite badly scratched. Advice was never to polish the screen the glare will be horrendous. My A350 had a screen protector from day 1. Incidentally I use a 3" protector which covers the entire screen.
The older I get the better I used to be.
Welcome to the forum. Apparently if you ever have a problem with your Sony camera the Sony repair place in Laredo is the best place to send it. I guess there are a lot of unhappy Precision Camera customers.
Sony A700, Sony A100(sold), Maxxum 7xi, and Maxxum 700si.
I checked today at a couple of local camera shops, i.e. Samy's, and Ritz inquiring about a LCD protector for my A-700.
Both shops informed me that they knew of nothing for the Sony.
Any suggestions?
Minolta Maxxum 7000, Sony A-100, Sony A-700 Minolta AF 50mm f/1.7, Sony AF 18-70mm DT f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Macro, Sony 18-250mm, Minolta AF 35-70mm f/4 Zoom, Minolta AF 70-210 f.4 Zoom
Irvine, CA
Sonystyle.com will sell you a plastic snap on protector for $11. I like mine so far.
Sony A700, Sony A100(sold), Maxxum 7xi, and Maxxum 700si.
As I recently reported in another posting, my Sony plastic snap-on protector was horribly scratched after only two weeks of daily use in Alaska. It also fell off twice while I was using the camera. It does protect the LCD but also makes it hard to see clearly. I'm seeking a better solution--probably the invisibleSHIELD, which sells for about the same price ($11.95) and, as tested on my wife's Canon SD 850, appears to be far more durable and scratchproof.
I too, scratched the LCD protector on the back of my A700. In my defense, I am always very careful with my equipment and everything I've owned has lasted for years. There are now 2 narrow 1cm long scratches on the back which distort the light coming from the LCD and are very annoying. I would strongly recommend a protector of some sort.
I found them on the Sony site and orderd them.
I have one almost invisible line, looks like a very fine strand of hair about 3/4" long. Not causing any problems but want to get the protection asap.
Thanks for the replies everyone.
Minolta Maxxum 7000, Sony A-100, Sony A-700 Minolta AF 50mm f/1.7, Sony AF 18-70mm DT f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Macro, Sony 18-250mm, Minolta AF 35-70mm f/4 Zoom, Minolta AF 70-210 f.4 Zoom
Irvine, CA