How To Clean and Care for Your Camera
So you’ve finally purchased the camera of your dreams and you are too scared to take it out of the box for fear something might break. You can rest easy, your digital camera was made to be used.
That being said, cameras are delicate and expensive and they do require a certain level of care to keep them going for a reasonable amount of time. With the proper tools and a few precautionary measures taken, your camera will remain in great shape, lasting for many more parties, trips and family outings to come.
Keep It Clean
The first step is an obvious one for most of us. You need to make sure your camera is always looked after and kept clean. You should always keep a camera and lens cleaning kit in your gadget bag, so you can quickly deal with any dirty issues that you and your camera should encounter on your travels.
Certain areas are more sensitive and require more care than others, but it is a good idea to keep every bit of your camera clean at all times.
Focus on the exterior:
Dirt left on the outside of your camera can make its way to the inside of your camera in no time, so we recommend wiping it regularly with a clean, dry cloth. A blower brush is another accessory which is handy for removing surface dirt, however, any household cleaners and liquids should be avoided altogether. Lens caps, lens hoods and other removable parts can be washed if necessary.
To avoid dirt or dust making its way to the inner parts, you should make cleaning the exterior of the camera the first step of your cleaning process. Be sure to clean your camera viewfinder or LCD screen, as a clear view is an essential step in you capturing the best images.
Protect your lenses:
A microfiber cleaning cloth is a basic accessory that you should always have on you for cleaning the front of your digital camera lens, with special lens cleaning sprays or wipes being necessary to clean more stubborn dirt, fingerprints etc.
Another useful tool for lens maintenance is a blower brush, which can be used to simply blow away any dust or dirt that is on the front of your lens without spreading it across the entire surface. A blower brush is handy for cleaning other parts of your camera as well, including the sensor, however great care must be taken with this, as you can easily add even more dust if you are not cautious.
Note: If there is evidence that dust or dirt has found its way inside your camera and you would like to clean your camera sensor, this process is best undertaken by a professional. Your local Ted’s store can organise for your camera to be sent away to a technician for a thorough clean for you, while if you purchase a Total Care Package with your DSLR or Mirrorless camera, you are eligible for 1 free sensor clean!
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Accessorise to keep your camera gear safe
Use lens caps & filters:
When not in use, your lens should always have a lens cap on it. It goes without saying, this is the best way to protect your lens from scratches, dust, dirt, water and other damage.
Camera lens filters, such as clear protecting or UV filters are also encouraged as they maintain some of this protection while you are shooting, with the latter also serving the purpose of cutting down on the amount of UV light captured.
Moisture Protection:
If you read through our selection of best waterproof cameras and chose your model from this list, you can enjoy some underwater photography, but if this is not the case with your camera, water damage can be fatal. You can find rain sleeves/covers online, while a good, cheap alternative is a packet of ziplock bags.
Another thing to be aware of is moisture damage caused by humidity. If you're going somewhere that you know has high humidity, desiccant silica gel packs are life saver.
Camera Bags:
Even when your camera gear is not in use it needs to be looked after and the best way to protect it when you are carrying it around, is with a high-quality camera bag.
Here are some tips for those wondering how to choose the right camera bag for their camera. You should look for one that provides a snug fit, which will stop it moving around too much and being damaged as you travel. Many bags have padded protective dividers which can be adjusted to better accommodate your specific kit. Also keep in mind that your bag should have adequate space for your extra lenses, cards, batteries and other accessories as well.
It is also important to remember that to avoid your camera getting dusty or dirty, you need to ensure that your camera bag is kept clean. Wiping down the surface of the bag regularly is a good start, while the occasional run through the wash may be necessary to give it a proper clean.
Firmware Updates:
Updates to camera firmware are produced by manufacturers to make sure a camera is functioning exactly as it should be, and to iron out any issues that have arisen after release. These updates don't help with the physical well-being of the camera but they are essential to its performing consistently for a long period, so you can keep capturing high-quality results.
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A note about battery safety
Recently, the hazardous nature of lithium ion batteries has garnered a lot of media attention. Incorrect storage of your batteries can lead to them becoming damaged, or even worse, cause some serious harm to your camera.
Store your batteries in a cool, dry place, make sure the terminals aren't exposed and avoid subjecting them to impacts or high temperatures.
Take care of your gear with Ted's
At Ted’s, we believe that getting the most from your product relies on you taking proper care of it from the get-go, which is why we have also provided our clean and care tips for Binoculars and Drones.
The knowledgeable staff at your local Ted’s store can talk you through our cleaning tips further, or help you with making your cleaning accessory purchases.
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