I am often videotaping soccer games, and typically use the LCD monitor to allow 'heads up' recording. The LCD monitor allows me to be aware of what else is happening on the field, unlike the viewfinder which (even if you are shooting with both eyes open) limits your ability to be aware of what is happening on the right side of the field. But sunlight is a factor, when relying on the LCD monitor, so I started looking around for an LCD hood to compliment the 3.5" monitor on my AC90. I've used Hoodman hoods previously and found them compact and reliable, but their design has all sides of the hood with equal depth, and so I was looking for something that might make it easier to 'reach in' to touch the screen and make selections. Steve4505 mentioned using a Vello 3.5" LCD hood in this post, and as I was not aware of this brand, checked out their website and liked what I saw. Their black leather-like material was a good match for the finish of the AC90, and I the dull, 'non-reflective' quality of the material appealed to me also. And a big plus, their hood narrowed at the bottom, which suggested to me that reaching in to touch the screen would be easier, compared to the Hoodman. Anyway, I did my due diligence and looked at Petrol hoods, and a few other brands, but I kept coming back to the Vello, and eventually placed an order.
When the Hood arrived I was delighted to find that it fit beautifully around the LCD monitor, being held in place (on my AC90) by the plastic ridge on the monitor casing. However, I was very disappointed that on the reverse side of the monitor the flaps of the Vello were not making good contact along the Velcro strip. One of the flaps, which lies directly against the back of the monitor case, incorporated a thin spongy material which ended up pushing the flap away from the monitor back. The next flap therefore could not close properly and only a small amount of the Velcro closure material could get a grip, and in fact I was concerned that it could come loose and the hood would fall away. Eventually I decided to void the 1 year warranty by cutting away the rectangle of spongy material (see fourth photo below). The result was what I was hoping for...with the bottom flap now lying flush with the monitor back. However, the top flap was still not lying nicely enough against the bottom flap, and so I ended up using the edge of a table to 'bend' a bit of the top flap and that did the trick.
I've used the Vello hood now recording several games in strong sunlight and am very happy with the results.
When the Hood arrived I was delighted to find that it fit beautifully around the LCD monitor, being held in place (on my AC90) by the plastic ridge on the monitor casing. However, I was very disappointed that on the reverse side of the monitor the flaps of the Vello were not making good contact along the Velcro strip. One of the flaps, which lies directly against the back of the monitor case, incorporated a thin spongy material which ended up pushing the flap away from the monitor back. The next flap therefore could not close properly and only a small amount of the Velcro closure material could get a grip, and in fact I was concerned that it could come loose and the hood would fall away. Eventually I decided to void the 1 year warranty by cutting away the rectangle of spongy material (see fourth photo below). The result was what I was hoping for...with the bottom flap now lying flush with the monitor back. However, the top flap was still not lying nicely enough against the bottom flap, and so I ended up using the edge of a table to 'bend' a bit of the top flap and that did the trick.
I've used the Vello hood now recording several games in strong sunlight and am very happy with the results.
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