quality of LCD screen

slr_neophyte · 05-04-2013, 05:34 PM

I like that the rear LCD screen on my new K5 II is slightly recessed into the body of the camera, and not flush with the back. However, when my wife bought the camera, she insisted on having screen protectors on both the LCD screens. Now, the main screen is flush with the body, due to the protector currently covering it. My question is - how good is the glass quality? Is it tough, and durable? Is it easily scratched? I haven't had it outdoors a lot yet, and am also thinking the protector might increase my chance of glare. I really want to remove it, but I won't if it really is necessary.

Ari · 05-04-2013, 05:52 PM

This is a long - debated topic. I hate them and see no need for them. It's pretty tough and, if you are careful, leave them off the screen.

rawr · 05-04-2013, 06:09 PM

Pentax say the rear LCD is on the K-5 II/s is 'made of tempered glass to keep it free of scratches and abrasions'. Sounds like a LCD screen may be redundant as a protection device.

A cheap plastic LCD screen may also impact the improved brightness and visibility of the newer 'Air Gapless' LCD on the K-5 II.

Use of these things all depends on how you use the camera, I guess. If your camera leads a rough-and-tumble life LCD protectors may make sense.

**Schraubstock** · 05-04-2013, 07:27 PM

Hi

A decent knock will certainly break a glass protector and when this happens the resulting glass splinters will damage the LCD screen under it, particularly if you start to remove the broken screen. Under controlled conditions break tests of those protector glasses certainly look good but you don't use your cam under those controlled conditions.

The same knock that will break the protector certainly can leave a mark on the camera screen but it won't be anything as bad (if at all). I have seen damage (once) to an LCD screen as a result of a broken glass protector, it was not pretty. I would stay away from them.

Greetings

manacho2005 · 05-04-2013, 07:28 PM

I baby a lot of my stuff, but this was a quick slip of the fingers...

**felixkh** · 05-05-2013, 12:34 AM

Originally posted by rawr

Pentax say the rear LCD is on the K-5 II/s is 'made of tempered glass to keep it free of scratches and abrasions'. Sounds like a LCD screen may be redundant as a protection device.

A cheap plastic LCD screen may also impact the improved brightness and visibility of the newer 'Air Gapless' LCD on the K-5 II.

Use of these things all depends on how you use the camera, I guess. If your camera leads a rough-and-tumble life LCD protectors may make sense.

Originally posted by Schraubstock

Hi

A decent knock will certainly break a glass protector and when this happens the resulting glass splinters will damage the LCD screen under it, particularly if you start to remove the broken screen. Under controlled conditions break tests of those protector glasses certainly look good but you don't use your cam under those controlled conditions.

The same knock that will break the protector certainly can leave a mark on the camera screen but it won't be anything as bad (if at all). I have seen damage (once) to an LCD screen as a result of a broken glass protector, it was not pretty. I would stay away from them.

Greetings

The "Glass" from the LCD protectors will NOT scratch your LCD if it breaks and if you need to remove it. I have used then since the day I owned the K20D, K7, K5 and now the K30. It is a cheap and good investment as I accidentally knocked my K7 against a table the broke the protector. I removed it and there were no scratches to the actual LCD glass. I then replaced it with a new one.

I too knocked my K5 against the table and again, the LCD protector took the brunt of the force as it swung to the table corner. Again, protector broke but the "glass" just cracked and once removed, no major damaged to the LCD.

I woud put it there as it WILL NOT cause glare. The K5II has an OVF so you should be using more of the OVF then the LCD to take photos. I only use the LCD to view photos after I have taken it.

slr_neophyte · 05-05-2013, 03:15 AM

Originally posted by felixkh

The K5II has an OVF so you should be using more of the OVF then the LCD to take photos. I only use the LCD to view photos after I have taken it.

I always use the OVF for taking photos, and never live view. But I constantly use the LCD for checking composition numbers, and using menu functions, as well as viewing photos after shooting.

**Mikesul** · 05-05-2013, 06:54 AM

Even Gorilla glass found on tablets will scratch. An LCD protector is essential. I have scratched and cracked protectors but they have always protected the LCD.

**felixkh** · 05-05-2013, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by slr_neophyte

I always use the OVF for taking photos, and never live view. But I constantly use the LCD for checking composition numbers, and using menu functions, as well as viewing photos after shooting.

That is what I do too. Don't worry about glare as it does not affect the screen at all.

Docrwm · 05-05-2013, 05:34 PM

ACMAXX will take a lot of abuse and protect your LCD.

jamesm007 · 05-07-2013, 07:54 PM

Just to clear up a mistake of mine. It seems Pentax LCD covers are made of ABS plastic and not polycarbonate as I had thought. I have extra covers (factory orign) and bent one long ago, it felt like Polycarbonate. Well I finished the job. Its not to the best of my knowledge. It will take a tough blow however. And I suppose you don't want polycarbonate flexing in on the LCD screen itself. So it takes a blow then cracks or breaks the best it can to save the LCD. I think?

05-04-2013, 05:34 PM	#1
slr_neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Suzhou China Photos: Gallery Posts: 149	quality of LCD screen I like that the rear LCD screen on my new K5 II is slightly recessed into the body of the camera, and not flush with the back. However, when my wife bought the camera, she insisted on having screen protectors on both the LCD screens. Now, the main screen is flush with the body, due to the protector currently covering it. My question is - how good is the glass quality? Is it tough, and durable? Is it easily scratched? I haven't had it outdoors a lot yet, and am also thinking the protector might increase my chance of glare. I really want to remove it, but I won't if it really is necessary.

05-04-2013, 07:28 PM	#5
manacho2005 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Red Oak, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 462	It happens.. I baby a lot of my stuff, but this was a quick slip of the fingers...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
LCD Screen	cacaueiro	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	2	09-06-2012 07:09 PM
Information LCD screen	distant.view	Pentax K-r	10	06-02-2011 10:25 PM
Pentax k-x: Use laptop insted of LCD screen to manually adjust sharpness	Esp1Holm	Pentax DSLR Discussion	7	05-05-2010 10:03 AM
Color calibration of K20D LCD screen	krypticide	Pentax DSLR Discussion	7	05-09-2009 05:26 AM
Piece of dust/lint behind Km lcd screen	forestmage	Pentax DSLR Discussion	2	03-06-2009 03:09 PM

05-04-2013, 05:52 PM	#2
Ari Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Freehold, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 856	This is a long - debated topic. I hate them and see no need for them. It's pretty tough and, if you are careful, leave them off the screen.

05-04-2013, 06:09 PM	#3
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Pentax say the rear LCD is on the K-5 II/s is 'made of tempered glass to keep it free of scratches and abrasions'. Sounds like a LCD screen may be redundant as a protection device. A cheap plastic LCD screen may also impact the improved brightness and visibility of the newer 'Air Gapless' LCD on the K-5 II. Use of these things all depends on how you use the camera, I guess. If your camera leads a rough-and-tumble life LCD protectors may make sense.

05-04-2013, 07:27 PM	#4
Schraubstock Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,386	Hi A decent knock will certainly break a glass protector and when this happens the resulting glass splinters will damage the LCD screen under it, particularly if you start to remove the broken screen. Under controlled conditions break tests of those protector glasses certainly look good but you don't use your cam under those controlled conditions. The same knock that will break the protector certainly can leave a mark on the camera screen but it won't be anything as bad (if at all). I have seen damage (once) to an LCD screen as a result of a broken glass protector, it was not pretty. I would stay away from them. Greetings

05-05-2013, 12:34 AM	#6
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	Originally posted by rawr Pentax say the rear LCD is on the K-5 II/s is 'made of tempered glass to keep it free of scratches and abrasions'. Sounds like a LCD screen may be redundant as a protection device. A cheap plastic LCD screen may also impact the improved brightness and visibility of the newer 'Air Gapless' LCD on the K-5 II. Use of these things all depends on how you use the camera, I guess. If your camera leads a rough-and-tumble life LCD protectors may make sense. Originally posted by Schraubstock Hi A decent knock will certainly break a glass protector and when this happens the resulting glass splinters will damage the LCD screen under it, particularly if you start to remove the broken screen. Under controlled conditions break tests of those protector glasses certainly look good but you don't use your cam under those controlled conditions. The same knock that will break the protector certainly can leave a mark on the camera screen but it won't be anything as bad (if at all). I have seen damage (once) to an LCD screen as a result of a broken glass protector, it was not pretty. I would stay away from them. Greetings The "Glass" from the LCD protectors will NOT scratch your LCD if it breaks and if you need to remove it. I have used then since the day I owned the K20D, K7, K5 and now the K30. It is a cheap and good investment as I accidentally knocked my K7 against a table the broke the protector. I removed it and there were no scratches to the actual LCD glass. I then replaced it with a new one. I too knocked my K5 against the table and again, the LCD protector took the brunt of the force as it swung to the table corner. Again, protector broke but the "glass" just cracked and once removed, no major damaged to the LCD. I woud put it there as it WILL NOT cause glare. The K5II has an OVF so you should be using more of the OVF then the LCD to take photos. I only use the LCD to view photos after I have taken it.

05-05-2013, 03:15 AM	#7
slr_neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Suzhou China Photos: Gallery Posts: 149 Original Poster	Originally posted by felixkh The K5II has an OVF so you should be using more of the OVF then the LCD to take photos. I only use the LCD to view photos after I have taken it. I always use the OVF for taking photos, and never live view. But I constantly use the LCD for checking composition numbers, and using menu functions, as well as viewing photos after shooting.

05-05-2013, 06:54 AM	#8
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Even Gorilla glass found on tablets will scratch. An LCD protector is essential. I have scratched and cracked protectors but they have always protected the LCD.

05-05-2013, 05:21 PM	#9
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	Originally posted by slr_neophyte I always use the OVF for taking photos, and never live view. But I constantly use the LCD for checking composition numbers, and using menu functions, as well as viewing photos after shooting. That is what I do too. Don't worry about glare as it does not affect the screen at all.

05-05-2013, 05:34 PM	#10
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	ACMAXX will take a lot of abuse and protect your LCD.

05-07-2013, 07:54 PM	#11
jamesm007 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Detroit MI, USA Posts: 508	Just to clear up a mistake of mine. It seems Pentax LCD covers are made of ABS plastic and not polycarbonate as I had thought. I have extra covers (factory orign) and bent one long ago, it felt like Polycarbonate. Well I finished the job. Its not to the best of my knowledge. It will take a tough blow however. And I suppose you don't want polycarbonate flexing in on the LCD screen itself. So it takes a blow then cracks or breaks the best it can to save the LCD. I think?