Digital Camera Cleaning and Maintenance

8/12/2019 Digital Camera Cleaning and Maintenance

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Digital Camera Cleaning and MaintenanceDigital camera cleaning and maintenance is something

many photographers (including myself) neglect to do with sometimes costly consequences.

It is too easy to come home after a days shooting, whip out the memory card, have a play withyour new images and forget all about maintenance of your kit.

If you are like me, anything new that I buy over time (car, motorbike, watch, glasses etc), getcleaned immaculately at least once a day. Then after a few weeks it falls to once a week or soand then ust !on the odd occasion! or when they look really dirty.

"ecause photography is my livelihood, I have to physically make myself grab my camera bag,go and sit somewhere quiet and take a good half an hour to an hour after a shoot to clean every

piece of equipment that I have used.

This kit has cost thousands and its cleanliness has a direct bearing on the quality of my imagesand the longevity of its use. #ot only that but as I upgrade my equipment, I may want to sell onmy old cameras at the best price.

These are the checks that I make$

Digital Camera Cleaning and Maintenance - Lenses

%bviously take great care when cleaning the glass, it is what makes the lenses so e&pensive andcostly to repair or replace. 'se only fine tissue paper and alcohol solutions that are designed forcamera optics. lean both the front and rear elements using a blower brush first to remove anydust particles.

The last thing you want to do is scrape even the smallest piece of dust across your lens.

I also use the bristles of a blower brush to clean in between the moving parts of the e&ternal barrel. This prevents a build up of dirt over time and maintains smooth operation whilst helpingto prevent dust from entering the internal optics.

ake sure you clean the brush or replace it often too otherwise you simply end up smearingminute particles of grease and dirt onto the lens.

Digital Camera Cleaning and Maintenance - Camera Sensor

The most talked about and asked about issue with Digital *+ maintenance is the sensor and theaccumulation of dust. If you are altogether unsure of how to go about it, wait until any sensordust is at a point where it is unbearable (most specs are easily and quickly removed in editing),and then take it to be professionally cleaned.

Damaging a sensor is e&pensive...


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If you intend to do it yourself, ust be careful. *et the camera to manual with a - seconde&posure. /ou will need time to clean the sensor but using the bulb setting (!"!) could be amistake.

If whilst cleaning the sensor, you accidentally close the shutter you are in danger of damaging

the mirror, shutter, sensor or all three. 0ven if you use a remote release set to !"!, the batterieson the remote could give out and close the shutter prematurely.

1ith a fully charged battery in your camera and a - second delay, you know where you are.

%nce the shutter is open, hold the camera up so that the sensor is facing down, and use the blower (without the brush) to blow any dust away from the sensor.

#.". The camera is held this way to allow any dust to fall out of the camera and the brush isremoved in case it touches the sensor and adds grease smears or dust to it rather than removingit.

If the sensor is really dirty, you are able to buy cleaning kits with swabs where you physicallytouch the sensor to !swipe! away dirt. 2gain, you need slight of hand and great care to do this soif unsure, seek professional help.

Digital Camera Cleaning and Maintenance - Mirror/focussing screen

'nless I can barely see through the viewfinder (e&aggeration), I tend to leave the mirror andfocussing screen alone apart from a quick blow3swipe with the blower brush. The only time Iwould give it more attention is if it were to run the risk of transferring dust to the sensor.

Dust on the mirror or screen has no effect on the final image so any dust you see on thesethrough the viewfinder, won4t affect the photograph (although e&cessive dust on the screen!may! affect the accuracy of focussing).

%nce again, be careful as the mirror in particular is extremely sensitive and easily scratched.

Digital Camera Cleaning and Maintenance - Outer casing

0ven though it is mostly aesthetic, it is still important to try and keep the e&ternal workingsclean. The dirt on the outside can easily make its way inside, particularly if you change lensesoften with dirty hands.

I give it a quick once over with the blower brush first and then a quick rub with a lens cloth ordustcloth. I usually do the outer parts before the inner. This reduces the chance of dirttransferring itself inside.

Digital Camera Cleaning and Maintenance - Accessories


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ost accessories have mechanical or electronic workings so it is ust as important to keep theseclean to help with their longevity. 5or e&ample, the battery contacts in a speedlight or remoteswitch need a quick clean now and again ust to prevent any build up of dirt or even rust.

2 failing accessory can be as disastrous as a failing camera in certain situations, especially paid

ones.

Digital Camera Cleaning and Maintenance - The Bag

This is something that many people wouldn4t consider but the quickest way for cameras,equipment and accessories to become dirty is if you have a dirty camera bag or holdall.

Dust, dirt, sand and even bits of other #ature (leaves, grit etc) are easily accumulated when outand about.

emove all equipment once in a while and ust 6oover3vacuum the bag thoroughly inside and

out.

2ll of this seems a bit tedious but once I have done it I feel surprisingly good and happy withmyself. I also know that when I go out shooting or turn up to a paid ob, the equipment is in tip7top condition.

Digital Camera Care and Maintenance BasicTi s

The dawn of digital camera technology has undoubtedly offered limitless choices for professionals and neophytes alike to come about with the best possible photographic results.There is a wide array of camera options ranging from compact digital cameras to large D*+ s.0ach type and class has its own strengths and limitations therefore making the task of shoppingfor cameras complicated. #evertheless, it will still boil down to the type and specifications thateach person is looking for.

It is a common knowledge that digital cameras don4t actually come cheap. 1ith eachdigital camera, there will usually be an assortment of features and utility levels which will makea good camera well above a thousand dollars. +eading digital camera brands include anon,

#ikon and *ony.

8robably the most essential parts of a digital camera are the lens, viewfinder and the + Dscreen. These parts should be regularly cleaned and maintained. These sensitive componentssuch as a anon camera + D screen should never be bumped or have a battery put against itinside the camera case. It is also important to invest in good quality lens cleaning equipmentsuch as a good lens brush, a lens blower and lens cloth. 2 blower will help remove the dirt whilea lens cleaning solution removes sticky particles on the lens. 2nother important reminder is to

protect the cameras eyes by always putting on the lens cover when the camera is not in use.


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=. The lens and sun don$t mix" Do not point your camera4s lens directly at the sun for anylength of time, especially with a D*+ camera. *unlight focused through the lens of thecamera could damage the image sensor or even start a fire inside the camera.

>. %se cleaning li#uids with care" 2void using an e&cessive amount of cleaning liquid with

your camera. In fact, other than stubborn smudges, you should be able to clean thecamera with a dry microfiber cloth. If a liquid is needed, place a few drops of the liquidon the cloth, rather than directly on the camera. 1ater can be used in place of cleaningliquid as well.

?. &acuum the 'ag" Dirt and sand inside your camera bag could damage your camera, so be sure to vacuum the bag regularly to keep it clean and protect your camera.

@. (atch the tem erature" 2lthough some cameras are designed to survive harshtemperatures, most cameras are not. Do not leave your camera in a sunny vehicle, wheretemperatures quickly can e&ceed : degrees 5ahrenheit. 2void leaving the camera in

direct sunlight, which can damage the plastic. 5inally, avoid e&treme cold, too, whichcould damage the + D.

A. %se nec) stra s and wrist loo s" 2dmittedly, this is more of a !preventative!maintenance tip, but be sure to use neck straps and wrist loops with your camerawhenever possible as you4re shooting photos outside. If you slip while hiking, or if youlose the grip on your camera near the pool, the straps can save your camera from a

potentially disastrous fall. "etter safe than sorry. (If you do drop the camera , click on thelink to try some troubleshooting tips.)

Digital camera maintenance doesn4t have to be difficult. These simple tips show that keeping

your digital camera clean can be fairly easy and can help you keep the camera in workingcondition as long as possible.

Digital Camera Maintenance Ti ssandro | Jan 05, 2011 | 0 comments
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1e put a lot of time and money into our hobbies. It onlymakes sense to take care of the equipment we buy through maintenance. 1hether you are a

beginning hobbyist with a digital point and shoot type camera or someone who has taken years to build their knowledge and equipment, taking care of your gear will help you take better pictureslonger. 8hotographers tend to be gadget unkies, but rarely do they take the time to care for all ofthe gadgets they acquire. aintenance not only gives your gear longer life, but it enables yourgadgets to work optimally. %ur biggest and most e&pensive piece of gear is our camera. 6ere aresome tips that will help you get the most out it for years to come.

Grit, Grime, & your Camera

TodayBs digital cameras are full of moving parts that will not operate properly if they are filledwith grit and grime. The best thing you can do is be very careful when shooting in areas that aresandy or dusty. Take special care when you are changing lenses. /ou have to consider your

camera sensor and internal components and the lens. The quicker you can make the swap the better. 2lways have the lens you are planning to switch to handy and ready to go before you takethe lens you are using off the camera body. Ceep the opening to the camera body out of the windwhile making sure to keep the opening pointed downward. This will help keep falling and

blowing bits of debris out of your camera body. 8ut the new lens on as quickly as you canwithout damaging anything.

#o matter how hard you try to keep dirt out of the camera and off the sensor, it is going tohappen. If you are making your shots happen, instead of letting them happen, you will want tochange lenses in the field. This means you are going to e&pose the interior of your camera bodyto the elements and it will need cleaned. *ome attempt to clean their D*+ sensor themselves. Ido not recommend this at all. 'nless you are a trained professional, you really do not know whatyou are doing. %ne of the best maintenance tips I can give you is this +eave the techno stuff tothe prosE /ou can damage your camera badly enough that you would end up needing to replace avery e&pensive piece of equipment. Do your best to keep it clean, and when it gets dirty, take itto a professional and get it cleaned. If you are not sure if it is dirty or not, then it might be a goodidea to find a good local pro camera shop, take it in, and see what they will charge for aninspection and cleaning.
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Proper Care and Cleaning of Lenses

5irst, you are probably using filters rightF If you are not, then you should be. 2t the very least,every lens you use should have a 'G filter on it. The 'G filter not only helps with glare, but italso protects your actual lens surface. 1hen you get a new lens, the very first thing you should

do is ensure it is clean and scratch free, and the second is apply the proper 'G lens. Ceeping thisfilter on at all times reduced the chances of dirt and other foreign matter obstructing or damagingthe coating on your lens. 1hen the filter gets dirty, you can clean it with a normal cleaning kitmuch easier than you can clean a lens. If something happens that causes damage to your filter, itis much easier and less e&pensive to replace than getting a new lens. If your lens is not protected

by a filter, go buy one and use it. If your lens in dirty, make sure you follow therecommendations outlined in your user manual for cleaning your lens.

Damage and Abuse

2 true photographer goes where the shots are. This means (sometimes) e&posing ourselves andour gear to harsh conditions. ake sure you use all of the straps possible in order to keep yourgear safe. It is not uncommon for people to drop e&pensive gear while trying to get a shot. akesure you are aware of obstacles and other ha9ards if you are moving during shooting. /ou donBtwant to end up like the guy in the video and possibly ruin thousands of dollars worth ofequipment because you didnBt look behind you.

Corrosion is Bad

1e rely upon batteries to power our gear. ake sure you regularly check your batteries and youcharging unit for signs of corrosion. If you begin to see the signs of corrosion, you can clean thecorrosion away with some rubbing alcohol and ear swabs. If the condition persists, you may havea bigger problem with your battery. heck for cracks or other signs of wear. It might be time toreplace the battery.

"asic common sense is your best tool in keeping your gear up to par. /ou probably alreadyknow that you should not point your camera directly into the sun. /ou probably already knowthat temperature e&tremes are hard on your camera. If you use your brain and take your time, youwill find that the best maintenance for your digital camera is prevention and common sense.Ceep these things in mind while you are out shooting, and you will be sure to continue to

practice the art of photography for years to come.
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Some Tips for Caring for DSLR Camera

*torage is worth noting, keep the camera in a cool place (not too hot and not too humid) and protected from dust. /ou can buy special storage cabinets camera but the price is still relativelye&pensive. 5or an alternative, you could buy a glass cabinet 3 timber that is cheaper, attach it>watt lights in it and set the distance from the light into your camera around = cm for thetemperature inside the cupboard can stay cool. Then put some silica gel to prevent mildew. It isadvisable to buy Dry "o&es, because more secure in the camera storage.

*ow to sa!e

*ave the camera should also be considered. ake sure the camera laying position is correct, yourcamera is clean before storing. for storage in a long time was to remove the battery from thecamera to avoid over7charging. 5or D7*+ camera, remove the lens from the camera body was

before saved. If you bring a camera in traveling, save your camera in a special bag to avoid thecamera shake.

Avoid excessive sun rays

Excessive hot sun can damage your parts camera made of plastic and rubber and electronic componentsin it.
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A!oid cam hor

2void camphor camphor is a thing that is in fear by the camera, because camphor can damagethe 8" (printed circuit board) that is the place where the electronic chip camera was attached.

amphor Gapor can also create spots spots on your camera lens. 2ccording to the news of

damage to the camera that is caused by camphor is very difficult to repair and maybe even cannot be improved anymore..

A!oid sea water

*ea water is very dangerous for the camera, keep the camera from splashes of sea water, seawater is very bad and cause corrosion potential of the camera or other electronic devices. 5or D7*+ camera users, not allowed to replace the lens on the beach let alone at sea, because seawater vapor in the wind can blow into your camera and can damage to the inside of yourcamera . 2fter hunting on the sea or the beach immediately clean up your camera because thegrains of sand grains that contain salt can cause rust on the camera part made of iron.

Clean camera

lean your camera after use or at least once a week. 'se a soft cloth or a camera special cloththat normally wear glasses to wipe clean the body and the outside of the lens to the front of thelens, and the filters you can use a special wipes lens cleaning. To remove dust using a soft brus,makeup brush and camera blower. 2ll of the equipment, can be found at your nearest camerashop in your town.

+egular ser!ice

*ervice on a regular basis, not allowed to disassemble the camera if not e&pert.

Care and Maintenance of ,our DigitalCamera2pril :H, < H by admin 5iled under Digital amera Tips

+eave a comment

2fter spending money on a quality digital camera, it is important to take the time to maintain it properly. /our camera will last much longer if you take preventative measures to keep it in the best condition.

The most important, and delicate, component of your digital camera is the camera lens. Thisserves as your window to the world, and once scratched it will require professional interventionto fi&. 5or this reason, it is imperative that you protect the lens. 5irst of all, when you are not
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taking photos your lens cap should always be on to keep the lens clean. Do not touch the lensdirectly with your finger. The oils left behind by your skin will be difficult to remove, makingthe view blurry at best. If your lens should get dusty or dirty, use a cleaner and cloth madespecifically for cleaning camera lenses.

The body of your camera should also be kept clean and free of debris. Ceep the camera in a caseor pouch when not in use. If it should get dirty, wipe it down with a soft dry cloth. If you camerahas an + D panel, it is acceptable to breath lightly on it to add slight bit of moisture beforewiping it down with a soft cloth.

Digital cameras should be kept dry. ost cameras are not waterproof, and should not be insituations where they could be submerged in liquid or even splashed. If your camera should getwet, it is a good idea to turn it off, remove the battery, and remove the memory card. +eave thecamera out to air dry for one to two days. 2t that time if the camera is not functioning properlyyou will need to contact a professional repair company or the manufacturer for advice.

In general, your camera will do best if stored in mild, dry conditions. 0&treme temperatures can be damaging so try not to leave your camera in your car or any super sunny locations. 2nothergood idea is to save the silica gel packets that come with many purchases to prevent moisturedamage, and place them in the drawer or container where your camera is stored. If you plan tostore your camera for a long period of time without use, you should first remove the battery fromthe camera. This precaution will prevent damage in case the battery should leak.

5inally, if you are planning to take photos in a location where you believe there will be a higherrisk of damage from water or soil or other conditions purchase a disposable camera and leaveyour digital at home. "etter safe than sorry.

aintaining your equipment is part of the investment. *imple cleaning and maintenance canmake sure you get the most en oyment and life from your digital camera.

Lens Maintenance .rotect ,our .riced.ossession

#ovember


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6ave you ever been worried about the maintenance of the lens you have been usingF Its obviousfor two reasons. %ne, you have invested so much of money in buying a good quality lens, youcanBt afford treat it badly you shouldnBt. *econd, good lens becomes one of the ma or factor

behind good quality photographs. +ets have a look at some tips on how to take care of your +ensand how to do regular maintenance. "efore any tips, follow this rule of the thumb, few years

back when I was still learning the basics, a professional photographer told me J1henever youuse a camera the first thing you do is hang it around your neck with a good quality strap. It willavoid the camera and the lens from crashing or hitting any ob ect unless you fall flat on yourfaceK.

2 lens accumulates dust and grit all the time. If you visit the sea coast youBd notice the moisturesettling down on the lens. ;ood maintenance can avoid (or postpone) the need of cleaning thelens. +etBs see what precautions we can take for the maintenance.

Lens Hood

2 lens hood or lens shade should be attached to a lens in order to block the bright sunlight orother light source to reduce the impact of glare on the lens when you take pictures. 2part fromthis, a hood also protects your lens if by chance you scratch the lens to any wall, or anything elsewhile you are carrying it in your hand.

UV/ light filter

ItBs recommended to use a 'G filter or any plain sunlight filter on the lens. 'G filter blocks the'G rays getting into your camera and changing the colors of your photograph. 2lso, protects theouter glass of your lens from scratches. /ou will have to clean the filter only not the lens. "utone thing to keep in mind, if you have invested good amount of money in the lens, make sure

you buy a good quality filter. 2nd donBt worry, e&tra glass doesnBt spoil your pictures but canimprove their colors.

Cleaning of the lens

ItBs very important to learn how you can clean the lens of your D*+ yourself and understandthe DoBs and DonBts of it. leaning the lens is a very tricky e&ercise and requires e&pertise and

precaution. 1eBve covered this in detail in how to clean the camera lens .
http://www.advancedphotography.net/clean-camera-lens/http://www.advancedphotography.net/clean-camera-lens/http://www.advancedphotography.net/clean-camera-lens/


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Basic Camera Care"y +i9 asoner , 2bout.com ;uide

*imilar to your photographic lenses, the - main enemies of your camera are Dirt Shock

Water

Dirt

Dirt is everywhere! Its in the air, its under our feet, and a too often its on and in" our cameras#Whi e dirt on the outside of your camera is not a $ro% em e&ce$tin' the ens of course", its the$otentia the dirt has for 'ettin' into your camera that is the $ro% em# Dirt in a camera can effectmovin' $arts, dama'e mirrors, c o' e ectronic contact $oints, 'et on fi m, and stick to di'itasensors#

(he %est course of action for dea in' with dirt in your camera is to avoid it# (he vast ma)ority ofshootin' situations wi not cause a dirt $ro% em for your camera# *owever, some situations arereci$es for $ro% ems# +eaches, deserts, horse races, motocross, swam$s, and other areas are$rone to more dust and dirt than everyday usa'e# In order to $rotect your camera it is %est touse a rain hood for your camera# ain hoods are viny -ny on $ouches made for s$ecific camerasthat a ow you to sti reach camera contro s whi e $rotectin' the camera from environmentaconditions# .ou can $urchase these at your favorite camera sho$ or make your own usin' a

ar'e /i$ %a'# (o make your own cut a ho e for your camera ens in one side of the %a' and use

the /i$ end to $ut your hands throu'h to the contro s# .ou wi have to carefu y secure the %a'to the camera ens usin' ta$e or a ru%%er %and# +e sure to use a ar'e enou'h %a' to a ow for

ens movement if you are usin' an S ty$e camera#

nother time that dirt 'ets into a camera is durin' ens chan'es and fi m oadin'# If you are notcarefu when chan'in' enses or oadin' fi m a ot of air%orne dust-dirt can enter the camera%ody# (o minimi/e dust durin' ens chan'es turn the camera facin' down and $ress the ens u$into the camera# (his $revents dust from fa in' into the camera %ody# When chan'in' fi m, kee$the camera hori/onta instead of ti tin' it forward#

Shock

othin' wi send a $hoto'ra$her3s heart into her stomach ike seein' a camera doin' a tri$ esa chow across a $aved $arkin' ot trust me, I3ve done it"# With the e&ce$tion of some o derfu y manua S s made of meta , there are very few cameras that can survive a fa onto a hardsurface from a hei'ht of even a few feet# 4utside of fu y encasin' your camera in shockresistant materia s, a you can ho$e to do is avoid camera shock# (here are some very commoncauses of camera shock#

+roken amera Stra$
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amera +a' eft 4$en

on67se of amera Stra$

8 acin' the amera on 7nsta% e Su$$ort

(he %est way to avoid these $ro% ems is to )ust $ay attention# heck your camera stra$ and itsconnectors re'u ar y for wear or si'ns of dama'e# 9ake it a ha%it to dou% e check that yourcamera %a' is $ro$er c osed %efore $ickin' it u$# 7se the camera stra$ whenever usin' yourcamera# It is there to catch the camera if you fum% e it# ever use :uestiona% e su$$ort for yourcamera# ;ence ed'es and rai in's at scenic over ooks are not acce$ta% e su$$ort# 7se a tri$odon sta% e 'round#

Water

Water doesn3t react we with fi m or di'ita sensors# or does it react we to %atteries or anye ectronic $arts# If your camera is not made for underwater use or encased in a water$roofhousin', kee$ it out of water# 7se a rain hood durin' %ad weather even heavy fo' can cause$ro% ems for some cameras"# If conditions wou d cause eye' asses to fo' when movin' fromindoors to outdoors or vice6versa, there is a 'ood chance your camera cou d suffer internacondensation# 7se a camera %a' to insu ate your camera and a ow it to chan'e tem$eratures'radua y# If your camera does 'et wet more than a few raindro$s" there are on y a few thin'syou can do#

4$en the camera if $ossi% e" and turn it so that the water can drain free y# Wra$ the ens in a very a%sor%ent towe once a water has drained that wi drain# Do

4( % ot the camera3s interna workin's#

(ake the camera to the nearest $rofessiona re$air sho$ immediate y#

oo' guide to ta)ing good care of your DSL+

I have decided to do this guide as I was basically unprepared and surprised by the amount of work needed to take good care of a D*+ , especiallywhen I have splurged tons of money on it. I tried to search the net for acomplete guide but only managed to get bits and pieces on this topic. 2ssuch, I have decided to compile the information into a complete guide toenable super noobs like me take good care of my D*+ .

2ll information are pulled from the net and references are quoted in bracketsand listed at the end.

0ndex

A1 DSL+ - 2eneral care


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:) D*+ amera bag) *houlder3neck strap

?) +ens hood@) "atteriesA) hanging lensesH) oisture condensation

B1 DSL+ - Cleaning and maintenance (Luick link )

C1 DSL+ - Storage (Luick link )

D1 Li-0on 'attery ac)s (Luick link )7 important facts which most of us don't know!!!

31 DSL+ 'ags (Luick link )

41 +eferences

Important ost of my pictures are *ony brand as I bought a *ony alpha>> E

ain contributors:) ie 7 much than& for giving me much info.

This post has been edited by )marc 2pr


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;roup 0lite8osts ?,??:

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Cindly read post O? on D*+ bags for detailed info regarding D*+ bags.

81 LCD screen rotector

ake sure you buy a good + D protector to protect the + D from scratches.

heap ones would be adequate but you4ll find that it will eventually get manyscratches and become unsightly. 2 better alternative would be a !glass7type! of+ D protector as below


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*ource of picture http 33www.u&sight.com3product3H>A:3lcd7sc...7dslr7a-> .html

6ow to install a !glass7type! + D protector http 33www.youtube.com3watchFvPw#ian?sD 2g

91 Ca s

Camera ca :; 'ody ca 1 7 +eft picture below0nsure that you always cap your camera if you intend to remove the lens for

prolonged periods of time for whatever reason (e.g. storage, lens cleaning, etc).This will prevent dust from going into the camera and settle on the camera mirrorsor sensors.

Lens ca 7 iddle picture belowIt is important to cap your lens anytime you are not using the D*+ . This will

reduce the chance of the lens becoming dirty or worse still, the chance of the lens being scratched. 2 scratched lens would be e&pensive to replace and will not becovered under the normal warranty.

+ear lens ca 7 ight picture below2gain, if you remove your lenses for prolonged periods of time, it is important tocap the front 2#D back of the lens.

#ote If you go for outings, it would be wise to bring all the caps along ust in caseyou might need to remove the lens for whatever reason. The convenient thing aboutcamera cap and the rear lens cap is that you can screw them both together to carryas a single piece.
http://www.uxsight.com/product/9581/lcd-screen-front-protector-glass-for-digital-camera-sony-alpha-dslr-a350.htmlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNian6sDRAghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNian6sDRAghttp://www.uxsight.com/product/9581/lcd-screen-front-protector-glass-for-digital-camera-sony-alpha-dslr-a350.htmlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNian6sDRAghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNian6sDRAg


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"ody cap and rear lens cap screwed together


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'G filters are usually cheap but try not to get a cheap lousy filter as it may interferewith proper light penetration and cause poorer pictures being taken.

;ood reputable lens filters available locally are like:) "Q1


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2lternatively, you can coil your arm around the strap for added protection. Thisvideo shows you how to hold your camera properly including the coiling of thestrap around your arm lick here

In case you want to let someone use your D*+ (nobody touches mineEEE), make

them wear the strap around their neck while handling your precious D*+ EEE

>1 Lens hood

The primary function of the lens hood is to prevent stray light from entering thelens as it e&tends and shade the front end of the lens. This is especially true if youshoot in the direction of the sun, causing unwanted artifacts in your picture such aslens flare, decrease contrast and image degradation.

"y using a lens hood, you4ll also get the added benefit of lens protection from anyaccidental impact or bumps. 2ccidental touches and scratches are also reduced.

6owever, lens hood are only usually used when you shoot outdoors under brightsunlight or shoot under e&treme lighting condition as protection again impact issecondary.

Must in case you don4t know how a lens hood looks like on a camera, here4s a picture
http://www.tvlesson.com/video/35196_how-to-hold-your-dslr.htmlhttp://www.tvlesson.com/video/35196_how-to-hold-your-dslr.htmlhttp://www.tvlesson.com/video/35196_how-to-hold-your-dslr.html


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*ummary of advantages of lens hood:) educe unwanted flare


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) 8oint your camera downwards 7 like you want to take picture of the ground :feet away (no need to point directly downwardsE)

?) hange while the camera is on a tripod@) Ceep your back to the wind

&ideos on how to change lenses (so easyEE) #oob way to change lenses2dvanced noob way to change lenses (lolE)

amera7hanging7around7neck lens changing techniqueIf7you7have7big7enough7hands lens changing technique*uper7glued7


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tomatoesEEE)

If moisture condensation occurs, turn off the camera and wait about an hour for themoisture to evaporate. #ote that if you attempt to shoot with moisture remaininginside the lens, you will be unable to record clear images (*ony instructionmanual)

This post has been edited by )marc ay -< 8
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?s=bd51a5dd939a9060eb3399559927c32f&act=Post&CODE=02&f=62&t=1302392&qpid=31393725http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1302392http://popup%28%27http//forum.lowyat.net/index.php?s=bd51a5dd939a9060eb3399559927c32f&act=Profile&CODE=showcard&MID=62271%27,%27AddressCard%27,%27600%27,%27300%27,%270%27,%271%27,%271%27,%271%27)


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kmarc Man


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do it improperly, you might ust damage the sensor. /ou also riske&posing your camera4s inner workings to dust if you open it at home.

aintenance after beach session, rain, etc....

Th& to wtm - for the following contribution

Canon DSL+ &iew4inder Dust CleaningSourceF http 33shimworld.wordpress.com3< H3 A3


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6-atings

given 67 , 6-

Moined ay

< ?5rom *ibu


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*ource http 33www.9haipo.com3en3products.htmlFpro...DV< # V< *eries

8lease note that dry bo& is preferable only if you don4t use your D*+ regularly. Ifyou use your camera frequently (at least once a week), the chance of getting funguson your D*+ is uncommon.
http://www.zhaipo.com/en/products.html?proTypeID=188749&proTypeName=LED%20NC%20Serieshttp://www.zhaipo.com/en/products.html?proTypeID=188749&proTypeName=LED%20NC%20Series


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(hat$s so great a'out fungus growthG

If fungus grows on your lens, it might ust eat into your lens coating and cause permanent damage by etching into the lens.

If you ever do see signs of fungal growth, it is important that you get professionalhelp as soon as possible.7 If you catch the fungus growth early, the lens elements can be cleaned and thedamaged repaired7 If it is too late, you can more or less say bye7bye to your lens. The damage isirreversible and permanent, leading to poorer image quality when you shoot

pictures with the affected lens

5ungus growth also applies to your camera4s sensor.

4acts a'out fungus and DSL+ (>)

ost ideal condition for fungus growth:)6umidity level W> V7 8eak growing rate around @ 7H V humidity (which is the common humidity levelfor our climate) degrees celcius

0asily infected places:) amera bags


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*ource:) http 33www.sgcamerastore.com3D /7 abinet32...73prodS


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*ilica gels


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eusable silical gel

http 33www.filmtools.com3silgelselin.htmlhttp 33www.filmtools.com3pesigel:>.htmlhttp 33www.desiccantsonline.com3inde&.phpF...iew atUcatIdP

6ere4s my temporary custom7made DI/ dry bo&
http://www.filmtools.com/silgelselin.htmlhttp://www.filmtools.com/pesigel15.htmlhttp://www.desiccantsonline.com/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=25http://www.filmtools.com/silgelselin.htmlhttp://www.filmtools.com/pesigel15.htmlhttp://www.desiccantsonline.com/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=25


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There are a few problems with this method:) The humidity level in the bo& will be unregulated and the thirsty hippo might

suck too much moisture. This may make the rubber seals on your D*+ turn hardand crack .7 one way to reduce this risk is to open the bo& regularly, maybe once a week (oreven more frequent)


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b) Good storage practicesMust in case you don4t use a drybo& and don4t use the air7tight container method, it isimportant to have good storage practices for your equipments:) Don4t store in darkness (e.g. store in a glass cabinet ensuring lots of

indirect3direct light)


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:) /our D*+ is ready to be used once you take it out


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;roup 0lite8osts ?,??:

atings earned 67 , 6-atings given 67 , 6-

Moined ay < ?5rom *ibu

5acts you should know about +i7Ion batteries (::)

51 %sually ha!e a 966-=66 discharge/charge cycles

7 2 JDischarge3charge cycleK means a single cycle of depletingfollowed by a re7charge until : V of battery charge (i.e. one cycle ofdepleting to V and then charge to : V).7 If you consume > V of your battery on day :, recharge to : V atnight, and do the same thing on day )

81 The 'attery refers a artial discharge rather than a fulldischarge

7 5requent full discharges should be avoided when possible (that meansusing the camera until the battery goes dead or V charge)7 Instead, charge the battery more often7 2 reference (for phone +i7Ion batteries) recommends charging oncethe battery has used3discharged to around >7: V of total charge (:


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7 +i7ion batteries actually include special circuitry to protect the batteryfrom damage due to overcharging or undercharging7 This circuit is built to protect from the damage that could result if thecharge of your lithium ion battery falls too low.7 %nce the battery goes below a certain voltage (i.e. charge falls too

low), the internal safety circuit opens and the battery becomes dead(irreversibly and permanently damaged). 2gain, this is a built7in safetymechanism that prevent the battery from being recharged again.7 *o since +ithium Ion has no Jmemory effectK, it is better to simplycharge your portable device as and when you can or remember (:>)7 This is especially true if you do not use your camera for a long time(many months), allowing the battery to slowly discharge untilcompletely depleted.

=1 0f you don$t use your camera for more than 5 wee)I remo!e the'attery from the camera

7 to prevent self7discharge if the battery is kept in the camera7 in e&treme cases, due to self7discharge (until the battery is almostdead), you would not be able to charge the battery anymore7 It is basically to prevent the battery from being discharged completely

>1 *ot en!ironment

7 2void using a fully charged battery in a hot environment for e&tended periods of time as a fully charge battery can go up to =>4c duringoperation

?1 Cold :freeJing 1 en!ironment

7 "atteries do not function as well and run down faster in coldenvironments3weather.7 To prevent this, keep you batteries warm by either carrying yourcamera under your coat or carry your spare batteries in your pocket sothat your body heat can keep them warm (:=)

@1 Li-0on 'atteries ha!e a certain life-s an

7 The fact is, +i7ion batteries starts dying the moment it leaves thefactoryE (:>)7 The actual life7span of an unused +i7ion battery can vary but it can bee&pected to irreversibly lose < V of the total charge every year from itsoriginal date of manufacture (:>, :?, :H)7 6ence,7777 if you have a spare battery, don4t keep it stored for years. 'se itinterchangeably with your current battery


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7777 don4t simply buy 7: V)(:H)7 2s mentioned before, if you4re planning to store your camera for

prolonged periods, remember to take out the batteries7 5or prolonged storage, keep the battery at @ 7A V charge level in acool dry environment7 /ou can also store the batteries in a refrigerator as it has been found to

greatly e&tend the shelf life (but don4t free9e itEEE)(:A)777 0nsure it is kept dry in the fridge (e.g. in an air7tight container).+ong7term e&posure to moisture in the fridge can cause corrosion777 1hen removing batteries from the refrigerator, allow them to warmup to room temperature before using them in your device

This post has been edited by )marc Man


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atingsgiven 67 , 6-

Moined ay< ?

5rom *ibu

There are many brands available in alaysia. These include7 rumpler ( 1ebsite )7 Domke (1ebsite )7 Cata (1ebsite )

7 +owepro ( 1ebsite )7 Tamrac ( 1ebsite )7 Thinktank ( 1ebsite )7 "agman7 ompany brand e.g. *ony, anon, #ikon, etc

91 Ty e of 'ag design

There are many types of D*+ bag to suit every situation. *ome D*+ bags arefashionable, some are serious work bags, some meant for transporting(plane) andsome for traveling.

They can be divided intoa) *houlder bag

b) *ling bagc) "ackpack d) Travel bage) "eltpack f) 6arness and vest system

1hichever bag you choose (you may need a few bags for different circumstances),it is important to get a good bag that is

:) 1ell7padded to properly protect the contents


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*ource of picture http 33www.sony.com.my3product3lcs7amsc-

5or some fashion7conscious people, shoulder bags can be a perfect fit as there arefashionable camera bags available (females onlyE). 0&ample as below

*ource of picture http 33www.switched.com3< : 3


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shoulders.

#ote There seems to be some confusion regarding the term shoulder bag and sling bag. efer to the !*ling bag! subsection for more understanding.

Ad!antages of shoulder bag (


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*ource of pictures +owepro website

%nce you have used your camera, you can easily keep it back in the bag the sameway you took it out.

/ou can also put the bag directly hori9ontal in front of you and use it as a
http://products.lowepro.com/catalog/Sling-Bags,4.htmhttp://products.lowepro.com/catalog/Sling-Bags,4.htmhttp://products.lowepro.com/catalog/Sling-Bags,4.htm


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stabili9ing platform where you can rest both your elbows on the bag. Thisminimi9es shake when taking pictures.

*lingshot reviews*lingshot : 21

*lingshot <


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Ad!antages (


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"elt packs are worn at the waist (like a belt). Their si9es vary and can be largeenough to hold a D*+ , several lenses and other smaller accessories. It is easy andcomfortable to move around while wearing the belt pack. In addtion, as it is worn infront of you, it is easy to access your gears as well as preventing thieves fromstealing your gears. 6owever, the bag might get in the way if you try to sit, crouch

or swat down.

6ere4s an e&ample of an e&ceptionally large belt pack

*ource http 33www.thinktankphoto.com3products3spe...7belt7pack.asp&

Ad!antages (


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but another way to carry ur gears around, usually meant to carry with you 4all time4.they are usually used by professional(with obs) like wedding photographers,

because they need e&tra batteries and changing lens on the spot. harness and vestare not essential for normal photographer, but many would love to wear one to lookcool$)

777777777777777777777777

Camera 'ags that comes with your camera

%n many occasion, you4ll get a free camera bag that comes along with your D*+ but might not be big enough or good enough to protect your D*+ . In that case, itwould be wise to get a better one.

"ags that are bundled with a D*+ (if they don4t give 5% (free7of7charge), bargain for itE) are usually simple, small and enough for the current camera3gearsthat you own at that time.

ie 4s 5% bag6ere4s a picture of the simple cheap 5% bag (some of us call it the china bag)

6ere is the amount of gears it can store (I missplace my divider, but it give somerough idea how much gear u can store inside)(X I am suppose to throw in a lenspen and blower, or some cleaning kits)


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any people hate this type of square bag( hey, it's free anyway ), as it doesn4t stay atone place when u carry it, it swings around, and it is very obvious a camera bag thatattracts unwanted attention.

kmarc4s 5% bag*mall bag with lousy design might also make it difficult to store or retrieve yourD*+ from the bag.

5or e&ample, my free D*+ bag is a small bag with Ji s (avoid this at all cause! )as below (left picture). I found that it is difficult to insert my camera into the bagwithout eventually getting the camera scratched by the 9ip on entry or on removal.

y solution was to actually get a soft cloth (that4s my old ;uess t7shirtEE) that linethe interior of the bag and protrude out on both sides of the bag to protect mycamera on insertion and removal (right picture).


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#ote y D*+ actually came with a better shoulder bag which cost


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with some trying to scare you into buying their supplies, we are here to clear the smoke anddemystify the sub ect.

%he difference between this site and others is

These instructions are written by a ertified 8hotographic onsultant U 8rofessionalamera epairman, urt 5argo, and amera epairs most published author, +arry +yells Developed from real world e&periences and written in layman4s terms

1e are a regular business with a store front

1ith an appointment, we will even show you in person how to accomplish this task (freeof charge)

1e want you to be able to clean /%' sensor no matter where you have bought yoursupplies from

1e don4t offer information on only one method, we offer information on ALL ma ormethods

1e don4t represent any one manufacturer and we sell no advertising to help keep ourinformation unbiased

%ur reason for developing this web site isn4t totry and belittle the manufacturers, or take

business away from the repair shops. %ur goal isto provide you with the knowledge and resourcesneeded to clean your camera4s sensor on yourown. /%' will have to decide if you have theskill to do this yourself, or if it would be moreappropriate in the hands of a professional. Thetask of cleaning your sensor is one that needs to

be accomplished on a regular basis. egular forsome may mean daily cleanings and for others,annually. ost of the manufacturers recogni9ethis and are also looking for ways to have you accomplish this successfully on your own. Theyknow it isn4t economical or feasible for you to be shipping your camera to them every time youget dust. /ou can e&pect changes in the future from some of these manufacturers. In Mapan,

#ikon, has already started selling a swab and methanol, sensor cleaning kit to consumers, butthey have yet to make them available in the '*2. The independent repair shops would love tohave this e&tra business, they understand the need for regular sensor cleanings. *ome, who donot feel comfortable, should have a repair shop accomplish this for you, but there are many ofyou out there who can accomplish this on your own with ust a little bit of guidance.

2s professional camera repairmen, we tend to error on the side of caution although not to thee&tent of anon or #ikon as we want you to have a clean sensor with the lowest chance of


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failure. 1e aren4t necessarily the first to endorse a new method or product as we do not want youto be the guinea pig for testing.

1e call it cleaning the sensor, but in reality younever actually clean the sensor itself, but a low

pass filter mounted in front of the sensor. #oteveryone is capable of cleaning their ownsensors, we all have different strengths andweaknesses. If you have a steady hand and a goodmechanical aptitude, you may well be capable ofaccomplishing this task successfully. I don4t wantto scare you, but if you don4t do it right, you canmess up your camera. If you still don4t feelcomfortable after reading all the instructions, byall means don4t attempt this. Take your camera to

a professional.

2s the old saying goes, !there are many ways to skin a cat! and the same goes for cleaningdigital camera sensors. The method the ma ority of the camera repair industry use is the !swaband methanol! method. 2s a professional camera repairman and the owner of multiple Digital*+ ameras, I too feel that this is the best and most consistent method. The ultimate level of

products to use for accomplishing this method are made by 8hotographic *olutions Inc., but it isalso not the cheapest. 1ith the recent introduction of the *ensor "rush it too has become popularwith photographers world wide. If your checkbook isn4t as fat as others, we will show you how tosave some money by using alternate products. 1e have also provided you with links to otherinternet sites that offer opinions on the sub ect. 2lthough the sponsor of this site does sell all thetools and supplies needed to accomplish the task at hand, we will show you other ways to save

money, and provide you with alternative sources for ALL of the needed supplies.,ou need to read at least the first se!en sections of this site B34O+3 you attem t thecleaning" /es, I know it is a guy thing where we read the instructions after we start having

problems, but from one guy to another, you really need to read all of this 5I *T. 5or the gals outthere, I know you will read first. 1e are providing you with this information to help keep youout of the pitfalls associated with cleaning your camera4s sensor, but we accept O L0AB0L0T,and must demand that you attempt any of this AT ,O%+ O( +0SK


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Care and Maintenance

Introduction

Despite how meticulous and careful I am with my equipment, it always ama9es me how quicklydust, fingerprints, and overall grime builds up on and inside my camera bodies and even onlenses. asual photographers will probably not immediately notice problems with dirt until littlespecs begin showing up on final images. %ftentimes it is when I start seeing little specs of dust inclear areas of my images (which is usually in areas of the sky on landscape photographs) that Iknow that my image sensor (or image sensor) needs to be cleaned. Despite improved technologyto remove dust from camera sensors$ a routine of cleaning and maintenance are necessary toavoid common dust related problems. 5ortunately with a little care and common sense, mostcleaning tasks can be performed relatively ine&pensively with over7the7counter products. In this

guide, I am going to walk you through a few of the steps that I take to maintain and keep myanon digital single lens refle& cameras clean and ready for the ne&t shoot.

Disclaimer

I have to add the short disclaimer that all the information provided in this free guide should be performed carefully and at your own risk. There is a risk anytime you e&pose the inside of yourcamera and make contact with the image sensor. This guide is a walk7through of the steps I taketo clean my own equipment and is not intended to be all7inclusive. I cannot be responsible fordamage that occurs to your camera during cleaning. onsider sending your camera to themanufacturer for maintenance if you feel uncomfortable with any part of this article. 2lwayscheck with your cameraBs manufacturer for specific information on cleaning and maintenance.

When hould !ou Clean !our Camera"

I can only answer this question based on my own e&perience. 8hotographers will have toestablish a routine that works best for them. The main issue is that dust enters digital single lensrefle& cameras and settles on the image sensor during the time the photographer removes and
http://www.picturecorrect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/cleaning-camera-sensors.jpg


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image sensor to render color. 2 method called interpolation combines all three colors to producea full color image.

Image ensor from a Canon "D . It is worth noting that youare actually cleaning the filter above the image sensor rather than the image sensor itself (seeJ leaning the Image *ensorK below).

1hy #ot *end /our amera to the anufacturer for leaningF

ost manufacturers can clean your camera (including the image sensor) and send it back to you.The main draw back to this is that it can be very e&pensive and the turn around time can belengthy. 5or e&ample, letBs say that your camera manufacturer charges Y> for a routine cleaning(the cost can be much higher than that). /ou will also need to pay to have it packaged, insured,and shipped. 2ll of this can really add up if you need to send your camera in every few months.The upside to sending your camera in is that the manufacturer assumes the risk of cleaning andhas all of the necessary equipment to do it safely. In the end it comes down to how often you useyour camera and how comfortable you are with doing the cleaning yourself. If you choose tohave someone else clean your camera for you, be sure to send it to retailers authori9ed by themanufacturer.

Camera (andling Practices

Ceeping your camera clean begins with everyday camera handling practices. This is important because establishing good camera handling habits will help minimi9e the amount of dust andother foreign ob ects that your camera is e&posed to. It is never a good idea to e&pose the insideof your camera body for long periods of time. +enses should be switched quickly and in cleanenvironments. This generally comes down to planning.

Think for a moment before you remove lenses. 2re you in a place that is relatively dry andcleanF It is unlikely that you will always have a choice when you are switching between lenses inthe field$ however it might be necessary to move a little bit to minimi9e your e&posure. 5ore&ample, if you are shooting near a waterfall, move as far away as possible from the falls itself toavoid e&posing the inside of your camera to mist and airborne moisture. The same is true of sandand dust. If you are shooting on a farm where there is a lot of dirt and dust flying, move to aquieter place before removing your lens.

%n a fairly regular basis I get the opportunity to fly in small two and four seat helicopters toshoot aerial photographs. 5rom e&perience I have learned that it is e&tremely important to avoidswitching between lenses while flying or even while on the ground when the rotor blades are
http://www.picturecorrect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/cleaning-camera-sensors6.jpg


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spinning. The reason for this is simply that the air is moving so quickly through the cabin that itis impossible to avoid dust and other airborne matter from entering the camera during the briefmoment it takes to switch to a new lens. 2gain this really comes down to planning. 1hen I am inthe air, I try to take two cameras with me. I take one with a wide7angle lens and another fortelephoto 9ooming. Doing this eliminates the need to switch lenses and the risk of sucking in

airborne particulates.

Dust can easily get suc#ed into your camera while flying "

;enerally the best places to switch camera lenses are inside (e.g. home or studio) or in the cabinof a vehicle if you are in the field. 2nother option is to place your camera into a clean gym bagor backpack and switch lenses (which I would only reserve for e&treme circumstances).%bviously you cannot always pick the location where you will need to switch lenses$ howeverthese are the steps I suggest taking to minimi9e e&posure to the image sensor

1herever you are at, have the replacement lens out and ready to go. 2 common mistake peoplemake is to remove the lens from the camera first and then fumble around trying to find areplacement lens in the camera bag. I usually remove the rear lens cap and orient the red3whitelens alignment dot so that I can quickly align it with my inde& finger when I go to attach it to mycamera body. #e&t, since dirt and grime fall downward, turn your camera body upside down

(with the camera lens facing toward the ground) and remove the lens. %nce the lens has beenremoved, quickly pickup the second lens so that your inde& finger is aligned with the red3whitedot and attach it to the camera body. The whole process should only take a few seconds. akingthis a practice should significantly reduce the amount of time your image sensor is e&posed to theoutside elements.

)outine Cleaning

0very couple of weeks I pull out all of my camera gear so that I can wipe it down and look for possible damage. I start by powering down my cameras to reduce any static electricity that mayhave built up on the electronics. #e&t I blow air into the inside compartment of each camera witha hand pump blower. It is worth mentioning that you should never use canned air or any devicethat blows high7pressured air on your camera. It is also a very bad idea to blow air into yourcamera from your mouth. 2 hand pump bulb blower will not remove foreign particles that have

been stuck onto your cameraBs sensor, but it is usually effective in removing small bits of dustthat reside inside the camera compartment, around the lens ring, and even on the sensor. Itypically remove the lens, turn the camera body upside down and squee9e several bursts of airinto the direction of the mirror and image sensor sensor. I am very careful to keep the tip of the

blower outside the camera and not to enter the main compartment. /ou can blow air directly
http://www.picturecorrect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/cleaning-camera-sensors5.jpg


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ensor wab by $hotogra%hic olutions, Inc& 2fter makingthe first sweep, I turn the swab over and make a second sweep in the same direction, this timeusing the dry side (or opposite side) of the swab. If you have a full si9e sensor, you may need tomake several overlapping passes. I do not recommend wiping back7and7forth (sweeping right toleft and back again) with the swab as you could create streaks.

It should only be necessary to make a couple passes with the swab to remove most dust relatedmaterial on the image sensor. 'sing too much solution or making too many passes risks creating

streaks and cementing dust onto the sensor. 2lso remember that your swab will likely pick upquite a bit of foreign material and that you do not want to redistribute this onto the sensor byoverdoing it. It is usually prudent to make ust a few passes with the swab and then take a fewtest images to see if your sensor is clean. /ou can always go back with a new swab and runthrough the cleaning process again.

It is worth noting that the main ingredient of the cleaningsolution is methanol, which is highly flammable. #ever clean your camera near open flames orheat sources. /ou are also unable to take methanol based cleaning solution with you on anairplane when you travel.

Conclusion

+earning how to properly clean your cameraBs image sensor can save you time and money whileminimi9ing unwanted dust specs from showing up in your final images. 1ith a littlemaintenance and care your camera should last many years to come.
http://www.picturecorrect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/cleaning-camera-sensors3.jpghttp://www.picturecorrect.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/cleaning-camera-sensors4.jpg


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*ow to Ta)e Care of a DSL+ By jennablack , eHow Member

kee$ your S takin' %eautifu $hotos on'er

7ser6Su%mitted rtic e

Digital *ingle +ens efle& (D*+ ) camera ownership requires much less technical know7howthan even film *+ s, but proper maintenance and storage can keep your camera and lensesworking beautifully for much longer, and can save you hundreds in repair and replacement costsdown the line.

Difficu ty< 9oderate y =asy

Instructions1# 1

2lways store your camera in a hard case.

*oft camera bags are light and convenient77great for day trips and hikes. "ut at the end ofthe day (and especially when traveling) your camera should always go in a hard case.2ccidents happen all the time, and when push comes to shove a little neoprene (or worse,a layer of poly fill) won4t keep your e&pensive equipment safe.

2 hard case can stand up to a lot more abuse. 5or e&ample, I was in a terrible car accidenta few years ago, and my camera (in a hard case) was in the front seat with me, sitting onthe floor. 1hen the engine block was pushed back it shattered my femur... but my cameracase, and the gear inside, was fine. Three years later, the case is still in use. It did notrequire professional repair. The accepted standard for safety in hard cases is 8elican.8elican cases are air7 and water7tight, they float, and the cases and their contents areguaranteed for life against everything e&cept meteor showers and small children.

2# 2
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2lways cap your lens when you4re not actually taking a picture.

2ny time your camera is set down or there4s a lull in action, put a lens cap on your lens.+enses become dirty and scratched easily, and can be very e&pensive to replace. 2scratched lens can result in scratches or spots appearing on photographs. 2dditionally a

lens cap can absorb damage if something hits the lens or if the camera is dropped, butwithout the cap the lens itself is more likely to shatter.

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Ceep a lens cloth, brush, and cleaning solution with you whenever you have your camera.

Ceeping lenses clean helps prevent scratches from particles and keeps images crisp.2lways use cleaning supplies intended for cameras, and make sure to follow thedirections on packages.

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Ceep a clear or 'G filter on lenses at all times.

5ilters cover the lens completely, so anything that would scratch the lens would insteadscratch the filter. If the filter becomes too scratched to use, ust replace it. lear filters aregenerally very ine&pensive, especially compared to the cost of replacing the lens itself.

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Ceep camera equipment out of intense heat and damp weather.

6eat can cause lenses to break and can of course damage any electronics . #ever leaveyour camera in a hot car for long periods, and if you feel your camera or lenses becominghot after a day of shooting in the sun, try to get into a cooler area and let them resumenormal temperature.

If you live in a very humid area, make sure you store your equipment in airtight cases.1hen shooting in fog, rain, or near bodies of water where splashing might occur, use anall7weather bag or underwater housing. 2t the very least, put a gallon7si9ed 9iplock bagaround your camera with a hole for the lens.

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*end your camera body in for professional cleaning occasionally.

If you shoot often, I4d recommend at least once a year, more if you shoot outdoors oftenor under harsh conditions.
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Digital Camera Cleaning and Maintenance

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