How to Care for Your Digital Camera

How to Care for Your Digital Camera

You made the decision to buy a digital camera, some - the DSLR kind - can be expensive. The camera body, the lenses, batteries, and card all need to be given some tender loving care in order for them to last you years to come. Even a less expensive point and shoot camera will last you a long time if cared for properly.

Camera's can be easily damaged if they are handled roughly, scratches can happen if they are carried haphazardly or thrown in the backseat of the car without a case. Scratches can also happen on the lens if the lens cap is not securely kept in place. Caring for your digital camera is easy and you'll be happy you did when you're looking at the pictures you've taken over the years.

Here's a quick list of do's and dont's for your camera:

The Do's of camera care.

• Do be careful with your camera while you're out on excursions. If you're wearing it around your neck and keep hold of the lens so it doesn't bang around on things while you're leaning over looking at something.
• Do use a camera bag or something of the equivalent.
• Do have your camera cleaned by a professional.
• Do use appropriate cleaners for the LCD, body, and lenses to keep it dust and smudge free.
• Do keep your camera stored properly.
• Do keep your lenses stored properly.
• Do keep batteries and cards stored properly.
• Do use a soft cloth recommended for cleaning the lens. Your local camera store will have these.

The Dont's of camera care.

• Don't force buttons, dials, or hinges. If it isn't working as it should, you may not be doing something right and could damage the parts.
• Don't remove any lens, batteries, memory card, or cables while the camera is on. Always turn it off first.
• Don't leave batteries, memory card, lenses on or in the camera if it isn't going to be used for extended periods of time.
• Don't leave in extreme conditions - hot or cold.
• Don't use canned air to clean your digital camera, use a recommended camera blower.
• Don't drop your camera, especially in water. It may end up unrepairable.

Using Your Camera in the Elements:

If you are going to be in a dusty, dry environment or a wet and cold environment, purchase protective covers for your camera to keep it as clean and safe as possible. If you are going to be shooting on a hot sunny day and there isn't shade to set your camera in and you don't have your camera case, use a towel to cover it. If it's cold and rainy and you're walking around outside, keep it covered in your coat.

If you're at the beach don't set your camera in the sand, sand gets everywhere and can ruin the workings of your camera. Keep it protected in a purse or camera bag; wrapping it in a towel is not advisable as someone could pick up the towel and accidentally toss the camera or drop it on a rock.

When traveling I always keep my digital camera with me. I don't want to take the chance of it bouncing around in cargo.

Cleaning Your Camera:

A good investment is a camera cleaning kit for regular and simple cleanings. Read your manual and know the steps completely before you do it yourself. I clean my camera after each time I use it. When I remove the lens for storing, I like to take my cleaning bulb and blow alittle air and make sure no lint or dust is left behind before putting the covers on.

Depending on how much you use your camera and the elements you've been in, it's advisable to take it to a professional at least twice a year in between the regular cleanings you do. I'm a Canon kinda girl and lucky enough to have a Canon certified professional just down the street from me.

I don't have to mail my camera in or leave it in the hands of someone who could be questionable. If you want to know if there is a certified professional in your town, check with a reputable camera shop in your area. Having a professional clean your camera is a good decision and really doesn't cost too much.

When you clean the LCD or viewfinder, simply blow a little huff of air on it and wipe it with a clean soft cloth. You can also invest in screen protectors to help keep the LCD clean.

Storing Your Camera:

Be careful how you store your digital camera. Don't leave your camera in the direct sun, don't leave it in the car - backseat or the trunk. Besides that not being a good idea, it could get stolen. In the summer, a cars interior can get extremely hot. In the winter it can get extremely cold, which isn't good for your camera either - you don't need any dewy condensation getting in places it shouldn't be.

Purchasing a quality camera bag or camera case is a good investment to keep it from getting banged around and scratched. A cool dry place should work for storage, I always think if I'm comfortable in a room - so is my camera.

If it's not going to be used for a time, remove the batteries and the memory card, take the lens off and store it also, keep all caps on lenses and camera body. When you remove the memory card for storage, remember the camera should be off to keep from corrupting the card or the possibility of corrupting some images.

Camera Lens:

The lens of your digital camera is a very important component and if you own a DSLR digital camera, you know how expensive these can be, so care for them appropriately. Some lens care tips are below:

• Don't touch the lens with your fingers.
• Use a lens filter for added protection to the lens. A skylight filter or UV filter works nicely. You can also purchase these used in good condition for not a lot of money.
• If you're just walking around not taking pictures, keep the lens cap on.
• If you use any cleaner for the lens, don't put it directly on the lens, put a dab on a cleaning cloth first then clean it using circular motions.
• Store lenses with care, either buy a lens case or keep it nicely wrapped and packed in a camera bag with all covers on. I have a pretty indestructible hard camera case. These are durable and well padded cases. If you have a bag style camera case and no lens case, you can purchase foam to wrap around the lens for extra protection.
• Use a quality lens brush, blower, and soft scratch free lens cloth.

When it comes to equipment such as brush and blower, see what the manufacturer recommends and buy that. This way if you have a warranty, it should be covered. A clean lens is a great picture.

Cleaning the Lens:

If you need to clean dust particles off your lens, start with the lens blower (don't get real close, you don't want to accidentally scratch the lens with the tip of the bulb), then blow a small huff of breath on the lens/lens filter and use a soft lint free lens cloth (don't use anything rough as this will scratch the lens) to clean in a circular motion to clean. If necessary put a drop of lens cleaner on your cloth to clean - never put liquids directly on the lens.

Caring for Camera Batteries:

I can't tell you how many times I've told my daughter Not to leave the batteries in the camera for an extended period of time. I gave her one of my cameras and it served me well and it will do the same for her if she will listen to my good advise. The batteries could leak and become corrosive over time and this will damage the electrical components in the battery compartment. No matter how well you care for your camera, these kinds of things can and do happen.

When storing the batteries, make sure to put the battery cover on so the exposed electrical parts don't become dirty and damaged.

Conclusion:

Take care of your camera properly and regularly and you'll enjoy it for many years. Caring for the camera is not a difficult task, routine maintenance will keep it running smoothly and ensure you get the best pictures possible. Most of the cleaning equipment for your camera does not cost alot and will be a one time purchase, so don't skimp on your investment. Read the manual that came with your camera so you know what everything does and have fun taking pictures and creating memories.