This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 at 2:34 am and is filed under An Introduction to Digital Photography, Digital Cameras. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
You probably spent a lot of money on your digital camera, so you probably want to protect it, right? Here are some simple tips for keeping your digital camera running well.
Basics
To avoid basic wear and tear, you should get into the habit of doing some preventative steps every time you use your camera.
- Always use the lens cap when your digital camera is not in use. This protects the lens from scratches.
- Store the camera in a cool, dry place, in its storage case.
- Buy a LCD cover for your camera. EFilm makes a very good LCD cover. They attach with adhesive and pop open, creating a glare shield for the screen.
- Always use a lens cloth and lens cleaner to clean the lens.
- Keep the digital camera’s strap around your neck to protect it from falling to its death if you drop it.
Elements
The elements can be the harshest things to contend with when keeping your camera safe. Moisture, dust, and dirt can all interfere with the delicate mechanics of a camera.
Always, always, keep your camera covered while you shoot in the rain. Even if it is just sprinkling, keep your camera under wraps. Here’s a few way to do that:
- Wear a poncho and keep the edges over the tops of your hands and camera while you take photos.
- Shoot with only one hand and hold an umbrella with the other.
- Buy a clear cover made for your digital camera or make one from a gallon sized freezer bag. Make sure to wipe it off if water accumulates over the lens, though.
A plastic cover will also come in handy to avoid dirt or dust blown by the wind during a shoot. In-between shoots, make sure that your camera is stored away in its camera bag.
Travel
Every photographer, whether professional or hobbyist, will have to travel with their digital camera at one time or another. This can be extremely rough on a camera. To protect it, choose a camera bag with stiff sides and a soft interior, such as the ones produced by Samsonite. On planes, always take your camera as a carry on to avoid the rough treatment that checked bags are subjected to.
If you follow these tips, you and your camera should enjoy many happy years together.