Digital Camera Care
Caring for your digital camera is not only easy, it can help extend its service life and ensure years of quality images. Following is a few things to know about digital camera care.
Protection from the Elements
Avoid leaving digital cameras in either extreme heat or cold, such as inside a vehicle. Instead, keep your camera with you whenever possible, preferably inside a protective case or bag that insulates it from the elements. Don't expose your camera to moisture or sand.
Impact
Use a camera strap when the camera is out of its bag to avoid dropping it. While many high-end professional digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera bodies are quite rugged and built to withstand moderate bumps and dings, most digital cameras are very fragile. A minor drop or bump in just the right spot can result in damage that is beyond economical repair. Even professional-grade DSLR lenses are not likely to survive a fall to the sidewalk.
Outfitting all of your DSLR lenses with clear UV filters and lens hoods will protect them from impact damage as well as the elements. Store your lenses with lens caps in place when they're not in use, or when your gear is being transported.
Cleaning
Resist the temptation to use canned air to clean your camera and lenses. Compressed air can blow dirt and grit further into hard-to-reach spots and damage delicate parts. The liquid propellant used in canned air can also cause damage if it is sprayed onto a camera's sensor or mechanisms. Instead, it's best to use a hand-squeezed air blower to remove large dust particles.
To further clean compact camera and DSLR lenses, use either lens cleaning paper in combination with lens cleaning fluid or a microfiber lens cloth. Either way, be gentle, and don't use a lot of pressure; this can help avoid scratching the lens elements.
DSLR camera image sensors are very delicate and shouldn't be touched directly. If gently blowing with a hand-squeezed blower doesn't remove all the particles, take it in for a professional cleaning.
Long-Term Storage
Remove batteries from your camera before storing it for long periods of time, and keep silica packs in the camera bag or case to absorb moisture.
Protection from the Elements
Avoid leaving digital cameras in either extreme heat or cold, such as inside a vehicle. Instead, keep your camera with you whenever possible, preferably inside a protective case or bag that insulates it from the elements. Don't expose your camera to moisture or sand.
Impact
Use a camera strap when the camera is out of its bag to avoid dropping it. While many high-end professional digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera bodies are quite rugged and built to withstand moderate bumps and dings, most digital cameras are very fragile. A minor drop or bump in just the right spot can result in damage that is beyond economical repair. Even professional-grade DSLR lenses are not likely to survive a fall to the sidewalk.
Outfitting all of your DSLR lenses with clear UV filters and lens hoods will protect them from impact damage as well as the elements. Store your lenses with lens caps in place when they're not in use, or when your gear is being transported.
Cleaning
Resist the temptation to use canned air to clean your camera and lenses. Compressed air can blow dirt and grit further into hard-to-reach spots and damage delicate parts. The liquid propellant used in canned air can also cause damage if it is sprayed onto a camera's sensor or mechanisms. Instead, it's best to use a hand-squeezed air blower to remove large dust particles.
To further clean compact camera and DSLR lenses, use either lens cleaning paper in combination with lens cleaning fluid or a microfiber lens cloth. Either way, be gentle, and don't use a lot of pressure; this can help avoid scratching the lens elements.
DSLR camera image sensors are very delicate and shouldn't be touched directly. If gently blowing with a hand-squeezed blower doesn't remove all the particles, take it in for a professional cleaning.
Long-Term Storage
Remove batteries from your camera before storing it for long periods of time, and keep silica packs in the camera bag or case to absorb moisture.
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