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The Xtend-a-View from Williams & Associates is intended to enable viewing of a digital camera's LCD screen in strong sunlight. Some of the features:
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| After reading about the Xtend-a-View on Steve's Digicams, I sent away for the 2" version intending to use it with my Coolpix 950. The Williams & Associates website didn't accept credit cards, so I snail mailed a check and received a confirmation 2 days later that my order was in-process and would be shipped priority mail. I had the Xtend-a-View in my hands within 48 hours. |
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Being able to use the LCD is a definite requirement if you're using one of one of the Nikon Accessory lenses, in particular the Wide Angle or Teleconverter, which block nearly all of the viewfinder window, as shown in the image at left. | ||
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XTEND-A-VIEW CONTENTSThe Xtend-A-View comes with a D-ring for mounting the magnifying hood to your camera strap or lanyard, a piece of Velcro to attach it to the camera body, and a User Guide.  The Xtend-a-View was originally designed for the Kodak DC-260 series cameras. A recent design improvement reduced the footprint of the Xtend-A-View, allowing it to also work well with cameras with limited LCD clearance area, like the Nikon 950, which is crowded with buttons and has a curve to the housing. |
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| After applying Velcro to three edges of the Xtend-A-View mounting area as described in the manual... |
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I applied the velcro loop fastener to to the camera body. I've outlined those areas in red. The velcro is applied to the left and right extremities of the LCD cover, just beyond the image display area, and to the region of the camera body immediately above the LCD. Note: I didn't apply velcro in the right top corner. This allows the Xtend-a-View to sit perfectly flush against the 950's curved housing |
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| The new Xtend-a-View sits perfectly flat against the camera's LCD display! |
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The top row of buttons is clear. The zoom buttons are more accessible than the previous design. | ||
| And the bottom keys are also easily accessible. |
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To store the Xtend-a-View, I take advantage of the velcro attachment and simply stick it to the roof of my camera case for easy access. You might also use the D-ring provided. |
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Here's a shot of the Xtend-a-View, seen with my Nikon 950, a Flash Bracket, Nikon SB-22s flash unit, AS-10 flash adapter, SC-18 MultiFlash Synch cord, TC-E2 teleconverter with hood and circular polarizer. With the Xtend-a-View, the feel is much more like an SLR's thru-the-lens viewing. When I was outside looking through the Xtend-a-View, I reached up to adjust the Teleconverter position and missed it by four inches! I had been fooled into believing the lens was actually on the opposite side of the LCD. Its actual position is on the moveable housing, located nearby. |
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A view through the Xtend-a-View. This was taken with the Fuji MX-700 pressed to the back of the 2x magnifier, so the focus you see here isn't nearly as clear as you see through the viewer alone | ||
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COST & AVAILABILITYCost was $16 as of this writing. You can buy Xtend-a-View at the Williams & Associates photosolve.com Website
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