If all you want is some protection for the display, go to a chain store
like Best Buy and look at their selection of covers for PDAs and
portable games. The thin film plastic can easily be cut to fit and
they're cheap and effective.

My advice...see all the sites you want to visit first, then gamble and
drink the second half of the vacation AFTER you're done touring around.
There's nothing worse than a hangover and someone dragging you out in
the heat to walk around all day.

Aside from the casinos like the Luxor pyramid, Caesars, etc., the top of
the Stratosphere tower at about 100 stories, the Grand Canyon, the
Hoover Dam and lake Mead are worth visiting.

If you go to the dam, take the "hard hat tour" which is about $30. You
get to go inside the dam and see the inner workings, as well as a trip
right to the bottom at the rivers edge - well worth it. You can take
your camera with you too and snap away. When I was there in 2001 I was
still using film, and I realized I only had two rolls with me for the
tour - I was pissed about that.

Ever since then, I've always been better prepared with lots of film or
room on my memory cards because you never know what you'll want to
shoot.

The old strip called Fremont Street is worth a look too. The overhead
light show at night is cool, and the little casinos pay off a lot better
because they don't have the same draw as the big strip.

Keep your wallet in a tight or closed pocket though - very skilled
pick-pockets love the Fremont area.

Have fun!

Hi Rene;

I use a hoodman screen protector on my digial slr's.
I move in and out of venues like churches, reception halls, into bright
daylight and this is the best device I've found to allow me to see the
screen in bright daylight. It flips open with side shades.

It's also very protective of the screen itself.

Delkin is also now making a very similar device.

Hope this helps.

Don Harper
The Edge Photography Studio
Lessburg, Va. 20176

http://www.theedgephotography.com

Regarding Las Vegas there are so many sites, the fountains at the
Biligiao, the Venetian, helicopter tours of the city and Grand Canyon,
nearby Hoover Dam the Red rocks park just outside of Vegas. I could go
on and on.

Enjoy.

Las Vegas has to be one of the most photogenic spots on earth. It is
not so much what to photograph, but when.

The light of day is very harsh. Best time to photograph is during the
blue hour, but you would have to be there for months to get everything
you want.

The Bellagio fountains are not that good of a photo opportunity.
Neither is the pirate ship fight at Treasure Island. Photograph the
pirate ships in between shows when you can get close for an
unobstructed view. Better are the Eiffel Tower and the Venetian. Oddly,
it is difficult to make the Luxor an interesting picture, but you can
do some interesting things with the Sphinx at night.

I would also recommend Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, etc. Hoover Dam
looks best from a distance.

Chartering a flight over the city is also good -- you can get great
perspectives of the Strip and Hoover Dam.

The protector does not necessarily allow you to see the screen in
bright amient light, even if it shields it from the direct rays of the
sun!

Long time listener, first time caller...

I just (literally...6 hours ago) got back from Vegas with my D200. On
the way to Red Rock there is a little turn off for the Calico Basin.
Very pretty stuff. Also, some nice shots at Mount Charlston. Great
landscapes, and some very long views of the strip and downtown areas.
It's about an hour drive from the strip to the top part of the
mountain. Oh, and make sure you have petrol. None is available once
you get off the 95 freeway!

Good Luck!