Lexerd TrueVue LCD Screen Protector Review (updated 10-8-2009: Long term use)
March 2009, Carl Garrard

Thinking of getting an clear LCD protector for your Alpha DSLR? You might want to consider the Lexerd TrueVue LCD Protector. There are several brands of LCD protectors on the market today including Sony's own plastic LCD protectors. However, I wanted to find an alternate protector that wasn't a hard plastic cover that was nearly invisible, did not interfere with color or induce extra glare on the LCD, and was easy to install. I found this one on Amazon.com and decided to give it a try. The product looked solid and the price was right at $9.50 USD. Lexerd guarantees the LCD protector to preserve original color tones, for it to be crystal clear, and that it wont interfere with touch screen LCDs. Best of all you can remove it and re-attach it again if you need to re-align it or just want to remove it for whatever reason. I went ahead and ordered one for my Alpha A100 DSLR as a test trial to see if it was a LCD protector I'd recommend to our readers. I was impressed by how fast Lexerd emailed me back informing me that my order was not only processed but was being shipped.

Think Tank Photo Introduces the First Camera Bag System for Multimedia DSLR’s

www.thinktankphoto.com 3636 N. Laughlin Rd., Suite 170 Santa Rosa, CA 95403 USA ph: 001.707.527.0101 fax: 001.707.527.0808

Sony FDA-ME1AM Magnifying Eyepiece- Product Report and Review

July 2009, Carl Garrard (*Update 7-26-2009)

Sony's FDA-ME1AM magnifying eyepiece has been a long time coming. I have wanted Sony to make one of these eyepiece accessories since the A-100 was first announced in 2006. At last they have produced the one I was looking and begging them for. I got my hands on one from the first batch sent to the U.S. from Sonystyle (after pestering them for an in-stock date), and I think the wait was worth it. The price on the FDA-ME1AM is $34.99 USD. The eyepiece will magnify the view you see (does not affect the area captured obviously) through your viewfinder by 1.15X and is compatible with the A700, A380, A350, A330, A300, A230, A200, and the A100 Alpha DSLRS (all APS-C cameras). The eyepiece also extends the viewfinder relief 7mm further, and is stain resistant on the glass element and polyurethane cover. Prior to the announcement of this accessory there were other available options that weren't manufactured by Sony. The Pentax OEM-53 did some duty on my Alphas, but is now retired. Therefore, it is only fair that all my begging should yield an article on this product.

ThinkTank Photo-New Multi Media DSLR Bag System

June 2009, Carl Garrard

Recently I began examining ThinkTank Photo products, namely the vast array of photo bags they make. I am not only impressed with ThinkTank Photo, but have recently acquired a Rotation 360 Bag that I am field testing for a review I am preparing. Today I was informed of a new bag and accessories they are working on that should be available in July. They have prepared a video that is linked below, along with a press relase. Watch out for these guys, and there will be more from us on them as well.

2 Terabytes of storage at 60mb/second, wow! This changes a lot, and to me is worthwhile news. Being able to store so many images on one media card could have great potential. It also conjures up worries about card failure if a photographer doesn't back up their images. Either way however, this is a big advancement and worthy of some attention.