I will cover some of the most important points of the LCD or Liquid Crystal Display. The LCD is a very sensitive component of the camera and needs to be cared for and protected as much as the lens of the camera. It is basically 2 pieces of glass, sandwiched together with layers of a liquid crystal between them. Keeping it simple, when the crystals are stimulated by electrical signals, the either stand up or lay down. This causes them to block or pass light from behind them, forming an image. On the Mavica, the display is coated with a spray to enhance the image in bright light. This coating can be rubbed or scratched away pretty easily. Take care of the display. This is a $200 part.
There has been a lot of talk about the proper way to clean the LCD. First, don't use glass cleaners like Windex or the sort. These types of cleaners can crack, craze and even remove this blue coating. Use a small eyeglass cleaning rag that you can buy about anywhere. Don't press hard and use small circular motion strokes. This works every time and the rags are very cheap at places where eyeglasses are sold. Whatever you do don't put alcohol on any part of the camera.
Now for protection of the LCD. Some people put thin plastic or PDA screen protectors on the LCD which is fine for keeping scratches off the screen but if you have anything hit it, your screen stands a huge chance of breaking. Remember, it is glass.
I sell an LCD protector that is rigid and has a scratch resistant coating on the outside. They are about 2mm thick, have great optic quality and offer excellent protection.
The thickness of the material makes breaking through nearly impossible.
If your camera is here or coming to me for service, a protector can be purchased and installed at that time or can be ordered direct so you can install it yourself.
Email for details about them.
See images below for an example of what they look like.
Another problem that comes up is the display will just quit. Sometimes it will display data but no image. This does not necessarily mean the display is bad. This seems to be more of a problem in the FD91 and 95 cameras but can happen to them all. Don't panic. More times than not, the problem resides in another part of the camera and the display is fine. I am able to repair this error with a good, solid fix. Contact me for details on this.
I started off with a policy of never selling any used parts but the cost of a new LCD is just too expensive in some cases. I have now decided to offer good, used displays if this is pre-approved by you in an attempt to save money and get your camera back in good working condition.
I do not sell these displays outright and the only way you can get one is for me to do the full service.
On occasion I do have good used displays so if you are in need of one, contact me.
The protector is a thin but rigid piece of Plexiglas that has excellent optic qualities and covers the camera LCD.
The protector has a scratch resistant coating on the outside.
It mounts to the camera using very thin adhesive strips and wont come off unless you want to remove it.
No permanent modifications are made to the camera and once removed will not alter the camera in any way.
If it ever needs to be removed, run a piece of waxed dental floss between the camera and protector. It will pop off.
It can then be repositioned and reapplied.
These protectors guard against scratches and breakage of the expensive LCD.
Here are a couple of photos of one installed on a Cybershot DSC-P30 camera.
