The do’s and don’ts of digital camera care and maintenance

Post date: Oct 16, 2018 6:29:0 PM

Digital cameras, no matter how sophisticated the technology behind them is, won’t last a long time without some tender loving care and thoughtful maintenance. They are mostly reliable and built to last, but can perform better with proper handling, storage, and care. Here are some of the do’s and don’ts of digital camera care and maintenance.

DO’S It’s a must to regularly clean the camera. Check the LCD and clean it whenever needed, and handle all moving parts of the camera with utmost care. Turn it off before removing or disconnecting the power source or a cable, or removing the memory card or battery.

Always keep the camera dry and safe from condensation. Store the camera correctly if it’s not going to be used for a long time, keeping it in a cool and dry place with packets of silica gel. Remove the batteries as well.

When it comes to underwater camera housing, keep it from fogging as well. Alternative materials that can get rid of fogging include newspaper, rice, and blotter.

DONT’S Don’t perform big fixes on your own. YouTube is a great place for learning, but sometimes there are things that are best left to the hands of professionals and expert repair makers. Tackling camera repairs on your own might save you a few bucks, but it’s not worth the risk if it’s a major issue at hand.

Don’t subject the camera to vibration, knocks, water and smoke, magnetic fields, chemicals, and steam. Apply lens cleaning fluid directly to the lens, and try putting on a few drops of it on a camera cleaning cloth if fluid must be used. Don’t store the gear in humid, dusty, or dirty areas, or subject it to extreme cold or hot temperatures.

Don’t scratch the camera with sharp or hard objects, such as keys and loose coins that can damage it as well as its LCD surfaces, which can also happen when it goes unprotected in your pocket or bags without the necessary protection in place.

Ram Chary Everi is a freelance photographer and graphic designer based in Orlando, Florida. He received his degree in fine arts in graphic design from the University of Florida in 2014. Learn more on this page.