I thought I was perfectly happy using the standard hard plastic Nikon screen protector that came with my D800. It does what it’s supposed to do, right? It protects the screen from getting scratched without getting in the way of actually seeing the screen. Why mess with a good thing? That’s what I thought until I was given the opportunity to try out an Expert Shield Screen Protector.
The Expert Shield Screen Protector is a flexible screen protector that is applied directly to your device’s screen. I’ve used screen protectors like this on cameras and phones in the past and always had issues with bubbles, scratches and peeling. Would this be the same or would I end up loving it and throw away the hard plastic screen protector that came with my camera? Only one way to find out.
The Expert Shield comes with very simple packaging and instructions. Included in the package are a cover for both the rear main screen and the top info screen, plus a cleaning cloth to remove any dust and fingerprints before application. There are instructions on the back of the package and also on each screen protector, which makes application pretty easy.
I followed the directions, got all of the fingerprints and dust off of my screen, peeled off the first protective layer put the screen protector on my camera. Expert Shield cuts their screen protectors to almost the exact size of the device screen, so there’s little room for error in the application. I found that my first try was not lined up perfectly, so I peeled it off and tried again. Fortunately, there is no residue or loss of adhesion if you need to reposition. After one or two tries my screen protector was on! Not everything was perfect, though. Somehow, in my repositioning of the screen protector, I got a piece of dust under it which caused a bit of a bubble.
I didn’t really feel like messing with it any more and risk ruining it, so I just left it. I figured this is something that could happen to a lot of people, so why not make my review a little more realistic? I then went on to apply the smaller Expert Shield to the top screen on my camera. This was much easier to apply and I got it right on the first try.
I put the Expert Shield on my D800 in mid-June. That’s right in the middle of the busiest part of my season. In the past 6 months, I’ve photographed 19 weddings and quite a few high school seniors, events and personal vacations. One of my weddings was outside in a massive storm that soaked everyone. It even made the news! Not only did my camera survive (whew!), but I don’t think the screen protector even noticed it got wet. Not a single drop of water worked its way between the screen and the screen protector.
Within minutes of my first shoot with the Expert Shield on my camera, I completely forgot it was there. It’s perfectly clear and basically disappears once it’s applied. There was that little speck of dust underneath, but I think I got used to it and stopped noticing it. It never caused the edge of the screen protector to peel. Now, after 200+ hours of use, it practically looks as good as the day it was applied. There are no scratches and no peeling edges. I’m sure it will be on my camera body for as long as I own it.
I also tried an anti-glare version on a different camera body. To be honest, I didn’t like it. I felt like it made the screen harder to see, especially in bright sunlight. I also thought it made the images have less contrast, which made it very hard for me to chimp and make sure my settings were good. Some people might really like the anti-glare version, but my personal preference is the clear version.
Out of curiosity, I also tried one on my iPhone 5. I have never liked screen protectors on my phones, but I was willing to try this one out. It was a little more difficult to apply because there are multiple holes that have to line up, but after one or two tries I got it. Again, I completely forgot it was on my phone. The touchscreen worked perfectly and the protector has a glass-like texture, just like a phone screen. Unfortunately, within a few weeks of putting it on my phone, I dropped my phone face down in a parking lot.
I was sure I would find a chipped or broken screen once I peeled off the screen protector, so you can imagine my surprise when I found that my screen hadn’t suffered any damage at all! I can’t prove that the screen protector prevented a broken screen, but without it on my phone I don’t see how my screen would have come away without so much as a scratch.
There are so many reasons I am sold on this product. It’s easy to apply. It looks great. It doesn’t show wear. It’s inexpensive. It survives torrential downpours. It might have even saved my phone screen! If you want an alternative to the hard plastic screen protector that came with your camera, I highly recommend you consider an Expert Shield.
The price for an Expert Shield varies, but most versions for professional DSLR bodies seem to cost only $6.95. To see how much a new screen protector for your device will cost, visit Expert Shield’s site (if you’re in the UK, here’s the link).
Expert Shield Screen Protector
- Features
- Build Quality
- Handling
- Value
- Size and Weight
- Packaging and Manual
Photography Life Overall Rating
is this a paid adverisement?
i wonder how this compares with the screen protectors made by Vello?
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/sea…av-Search=
This is an independent product review, not a paid advertisement. I was given a sample screen protector to review, but the review is based on my actual experience and isn’t influenced by the fact that I received a $7 screen protector for free.
I’ll have to try a Vello screen protector sometime and see how it compares!
thanx for the honest reply John! 2 years ago i purchased the Vello stick on screen protector for my D7k and it worked great. when i got my D800 a year ago i opted to spend a bit more $$ for the clip on version (about $25). (side note: i have found that after shooting out in the rain with vello the clip on protector, moister does creep under onto the screen and the protector must be removed and wiped off. now im seeing that there both types of vello protectors are actually the same price
My experience with D90 and Nikon plastic protector: sand comes under the protector, and hard plastic made scratches on LCD screen. Maybe D7100 screen is tougher but I am not willing to risk. Also, the foil protector I am using now on D90 (not the one tested above) allows for better visibility of the screen then the original one.
These kind of screen shields (and the hard plastic ones even more) may prevent the flip out screens (like those on the D5200) from closing properly, or not at all, so beware.
That’s a good point. I think if the film is thin enough, it should not cause any problems.
Hi Gabe,
We test ours for against this, and at current non of the flip out screen models are affected when fitted with an Expert Shield. Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Ed
Thanks!
I understand that the reviewer likes the foil protector, but he does not really explain how it is better than the Nikon protector. Is he able to see more detail? Is the LCD more useable in bright light? Comparison?
The foil protector for the top LCD really seems superfluous. It is well protected by the shape of the camera and its location. Nothing is likely to ever come in contact with it which is probably why Nikon does not provide protection.
The main benefits of a film type over the hard plastic, is that optically ours are clearer and because they form a vacuum between the protector and the screen, no dirt or dust gets trapped.
The top screen, although less likely to be damaged can still be scratched – so we provide one for this where we can.
Hope that helps,
Ed
The foil protector is not necessarily better than the Nikon protector, it’s just different. The Nikon protector is more easily scratched and can trap dirt between itself and the screen while the Expert Shield is very scratch resistant and prevents dirt from ever touching the screen. At the same time, the hard Nikon protector will do a much better job of protecting the screen from an impact.
I prefer the clean, clear look of the Expert Shield to the more bulky and somewhat scratched look of the Nikon protector. Other people might have a different opinion. For me, it’s primarily a decision made by esthetics with the knowledge that my screen is still protected from normal wear.
“The foil protector for the top LCD really seems superfluous.” i thought so as well till i cracked mine, was walking through a doorway with my d7k on a black rapid strap the top lcd tapped against the doorknow and cracked. luckily there wasnt noticable physical damage besides for the cracked glass and i was able to purchase a replacement window and adhesive from nikon parts dept for a few bucks. i now use the extra protection
hi John,
A dumb question. Are we still supposed to use the plastic screen protector for the back LCD which came with the camera? Or the expert shield in the “only” thing which comes between you and your camera?
s
Yes, use a screen protector in between. If hard dust or sand gets in between, it will still scratch the LCD surface. Done that before, so ever since, I have been protecting my LCD screens with a shield.
I left my plastic screen protector off and only used the Expert Shield. Doing that leaves your LCD open to damage from impact, but after seeing how good my screen looked without the plastic screen protector on it, I just couldn’t bear to put it back on. The safest option for your screen would be a screen shield to protect against scratches and a hard plastic protector for impacts.
a screen cover foil is always a good idea! there’s the possibility that sand or small hard pieces find their way between the plastic cover and the screen (had that problem on my usa-trip).
been using this for 3 years now, it works great for me. this for sure is better than plastic cover that goes with the camera as this can be easily scratched and the dust getting in between the screen & the plastic cover.
This is how i have viewed all my photos for the last three years D90 & now D600. i watched my daughter get a new cover for her Iphone and thought what if… much better photo viewing than through the Nikon screen. the D90 was sold with the screen on it but the new owner thought it was not as cool as the plastic Nikon screen, mine has always been a cut down phone screen but i may treat myself to a new Christmas present. this is something i agree with like John 100% worth doing and doing once.
Steve