Digital camera maintenance are some things several photographers (including myself) neglect to try to to with generally pricey consequences.It is too simple to return home when a days shooting, whip out the memory card, have a play with your new images and forget all regarding maintenance of your kit. If you're like me, anything new that I purchase over time (car, motorbike, watch, glasses etc),
get cleaned immaculately at least once every day. Then when a couple of weeks it falls to once a week or so and then just "on the odd occasion" or once they look really dirty.
Because photography is my livelihood, I have to physically create myself grab my camera bag, go and sit somewhere quiet and take a good 0.5 an hour to an hour when a shoot to scrub each piece of apparatus that I have used.
This kit has price thousands and its cleanliness includes a direct bearing on the standard of my images and also the longevity of its use. Not only that however as I upgrade my equipment, i may wish to sell on my previous cameras at the best value.
These are the checks that I make;
Lenses : Obviously take nice care when cleaning the glass, it is what makes the lenses so expensive and costly to repair or replace. Use only fine tissue paper and alcohol solutions that are designed for camera optics. Clean both the front and rear parts employing a blower brush first to get rid of any dust particles.
The final thing you wish to try to to is scrape even the tiniest piece of dust across your lens.
I also use the bristles of a blower brush to scrub in between the moving components of the external barrel. This prevents a build up of dirt over time and maintains smooth operation whilst serving to to stop dust from coming into the inner optics.
Make sure you clean the brush or replace it usually too otherwise you just end up smearing minute particles of grease and dirt on to the lens.
Camera Sensor : The most talked regarding and asked regarding issue with Digital SLR maintenance is that the sensor and also the accumulation of dust. If you're altogether unsure of how to go regarding it, wait until any sensor dust is at a degree where it is unbearable (most specs are simply and quickly removed in editing), and then take it to be professionally cleaned.
Damaging a sensor is expensive...
If you plan to try to to it yourself, just use caution. Set the camera to manual with a thirty second exposure. you will want time to scrub the sensor however using the bulb setting ("B") might be a mistake.
If whilst cleaning the sensor, you by mistake close the shutter you're in peril of damaging the mirror, shutter, sensor or all 3. though you utilize a distant unleash set to "B", the batteries on the remote might offer out and shut the shutter prematurely.
With a fully charged battery in your camera and a thirty second delay, you recognize where you're.
Once 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 faraway from the sensor.
N.B. The camera is held this manner to allow any dust to fall out of the camera and also the brush is removed in case it touches the sensor and adds grease smears or dust to it rather than removing it.
If the sensor is really dirty, you're ready to purchase cleaning kits with swabs where you physically touch the sensor to "swipe" away dirt. Again, you wish slight of hand and nice care to try to to this so if unsure, ask for professional facilitate.
Mirror/focusing screen : Unless I can barely see through the viewfinder (exaggeration), I tend to leave the mirror and focusing screen alone except a quick blow/swipe with the blower brush. the only time i would provides it more attention is that if it were to run the chance of transferring dust to the sensor.
Dust on the mirror or screen has no impact on the final image so any dust you see on these through the viewfinder, won't have an effect on the photograph (although excessive dust on the screen "may" have an effect on the accuracy of focusing).
Once again, use caution as the mirror especially is extremely sensitive and simply scratched.
Outer casing : Even though it is mostly aesthetic, it is still vital to undertake and keep the external workings clean. The dirt on the outside can simply create its means within, significantly if you alter lenses usually with dirty hands.
I provides it a quick once over with the blower brush first and then a quick rub with a lens cloth or dustcloth. I usually do the outer components before the inner. This reduces the chance of dirt transferring itself within.
Accessories : Most accessories have mechanical or electronic workings so it is just as vital to stay these clean to help with their longevity. for example, the battery contacts during a speedlight or remote switch want a quick clean now and again just to stop any build up of dirt or perhaps rust.
A failing accessory are often as disastrous as a failing camera in certain situations, especially paid ones.
The Bag : This is one thing that several people would not consider however the quickest means for cameras, equipment and accessories to become dirty is that if you've got a dirty camera bag or holdall.
Dust, dirt, sand and even bits of Mother Nature (leaves, grit etc) are simply accumulated when out and regarding.
Remove all equipment once during a whereas and just Hoover/vacuum the bag thoroughly within and out.
All of this seems slightly tedious however once I have done it I feel surprisingly good and pleased with myself. I also apprehend that after I exit shooting or manifest itself to a paid job, the equipment is in tip-top condition.
