Camera Maintenance 101

Cameras are often expensive, sophisticated pieces of equipment made up of many delicate moving parts. Diligent camera maintenance is essential; without it, accumulated dirt, dust and debris can damage the lens and sensor. As a result, you may notice a decline in image quality, camera malfunctions, or, in extreme cases, complete failure. Like cars and bikes, cameras require regular maintenance to help them deliver the results you expect.

Cleaning Your Camera

The foundation of proper camera maintenance is regular and thorough cleaning. Keeping your camera clean is crucial for preventing dirt, dust, and fingerprints from accumulating and compromising image quality. Beyond affecting photo clarity, built-up debris can cause permanent damage as dirt particles may scratch the lens or sensor, both of which are costly to repair. Ideally, you'll clean your camera after each use but especially following extended outdoor shoots.

Cleaning the Camera Body

To clean your camera body, start by using a blower to remove any loose dust. Focus on buttons, dials, the viewfinder, the memory card slot, the battery compartment and connection ports. Avoid using compressed air as the high pressure could push dust deeper into small crevices. Alongside the blower, you can use brushes, cotton buds and cloths.

Cleaning the LCD Screen

To clean the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen, use a soft microfibre cloth similar to one used for glasses. For stubborn marks, dampen the cloth with water and they should lift. Avoid harsh substances such as alcohol, benzene, abrasive detergents and chemical cleaning cloths as they may damage the LCD surface.

If, as you clean the LCD, it lights up or darkens, you shouldn't worry - it's a result of static electricity and does not indicate an issue or malfunction.

To prevent scratches and damage to your LCD screen, consider applying a screen protector.

Cleaning the Camera Lens

To clean camera lenses you can use a microfibre cloth and gently wipe the lens in a circular motion. If stubborn smudges or fingerprints remain, then you can use a lens cleaning solution in conjunction with the cloth.

Cleaning the Camera Sensor

If dust and debris accumulate on your camera’s sensor, they will create spots and other imperfections in your images. You might be willing to tolerate one or two marks but often they will get worse and multiply. Furthermore, if the dust on the sensor is exposed to light for prolonged amounts of time, it can cause permanent damage resulting in you needing to replace the whole sensor.

Cleaning the sensor may seem daunting as it involves handling a delicate and expensive part of the camera – but it is possible if done with care.

How to Clean a Camera Sensor

The first thing you need to do when cleaning a camera sensor, is to activate sensor cleaning mode. Most cameras have this built-in and can be found in the settings. This vibrates the sensor to try to dislodge dust and debris.

If you notice the dust persists following sensor cleaning mode then you will need to access the sensor directly. To do this, follow these steps:

• Make sure your camera battery is fully charged to prevent the mirror from flipping down as you're cleaning.


• Clean the sensor in a dust-free environment. This means avoiding cleaning immediately after dusting or vacuuming.


• Remove the lens on your camera and turn it on.
  
  
• Go to the setup menu and select 'Lock Mirror Up for Cleaning'. A confirmation message should then appear, followed by a row of dashes on the control panel and viewfinder.


• Press the shutter release button to fully raise the mirror and open the shutter curtain to expose the sensor. The viewfinder will then turn off and the dashes will begin to flash.


• You can now clean the sensor.

Now you have access to the sensor you can use a blower to remove loose particles. Canned air is not advised for cleaning a camera sensor as the propellant could release plastic residue and cause further damage. Also, be aware that you should never touch the sensor with your bare hands.

If smudges remain after using a blower, apply a small amount of sensor cleaning solution to a specialised swab. Gently wipe the sensor in straight lines to avoid damage taking care to be gentle as the sensor is delicate.

Now you have cleaned the sensor you can put the mirror back to its normal position and reassemble your camera. To put the mirror up, simply turn off the camera. This should lower the mirror and close the shutter curtain. Now reattach the lens or body cap.

Feeling apprehensive about cleaning your sensor is normal and professional cleaning services are available if you are particularly nervous.

After putting your camera back together, it’s a good idea to check your camera’s sensor cleaning settings. Your camera might be set to vibrate as you turn the camera on or off. If it does vibrate at startup it might cause a slight delay causing you to miss fleeting moments. To avoid this, set the sensor to clean only when you turn the camera off.

How to Prevent Dust and Dirt Gathering on Your Camera

Dirt, dust and debris naturally accumulate on your camera due to the environments you shoot in. To continue capturing fantastic shots in dusty environments, consider using a UV filter. They minimise dust exposure, provide protection and reduce haze without affecting image quality. A lens hood is another option; they reduce lens flare whilst also shielding your lens from scratches.

Camera Storage

After thoroughly cleaning your camera, you should store it in a safe and dry place to prevent mould or mildew from forming on your camera. The best way to store a camera is in a camera bag or case.

Keeping your camera dry is really important as moisture can be very harmful to cameras. To maintain a dry environment inside your camera bag or case, consider adding silica gel packs.

Avoid storing your camera in environments prone to temperature fluctuations to protect your camera from extreme temperatures.

Looking After Your Camera in Extreme Weather

If you cannot avoid shooting in extreme weather and temperatures, there are ways to reduce the amount of strain this puts on your camera. Cameras are weather-sensitive and need to be protected from moisture, extreme temperatures and the elements to prevent damage.

When moving between extreme temperatures, it's essential to acclimatise your camera to prevent condensation or fogging on the lens and sensor.

Cold to warm: To transition your camera from a cold to warm environment you can place it inside a zip-lock bag for about an hour before bringing it inside to the warm.

Warm to cold: If you're moving the camera from a warm environment to a cold one, you should pre-cool the camera before keeping it in a cooler space before going outside.

Humidity changes: For shifts between dry and humid conditions, store your camera in a dry box or airtight container with silica gels inside to help regulate moisture levels. Well-insulated camera bags can also slow down dramatic temperature changes.

In extreme temperatures, you should also reduce the number of lens changes, and always swap your lenses or memory cards in a protected area like inside a vehicle or building.

Rain

If your camera is waterproof then you won’t need to worry if it gets caught in the rain, but if it isn’t waterproof then you will need a cover.

If parts of your camera do get damp, don’t worry, just use a lens cleaner or microfibre cloth to wipe off the moisture.

If your camera has been fully submerged then you should dry it with a cloth, place it in a warm place (but not hot) and place it in a bag of rice or silica. After this, it will be a good idea to get it inspected by a professional as water damage can take a while to show and may cause your camera to slowly corrode causing you bigger issues later on.

Heat

You should keep your camera as cool as possible because if your camera overheats, it causes damage to the internal components and may force your camera to shut down. To prevent overheating you can use an umbrella or a makeshift shade.

Transport your camera in an insulated camera bag. If you’re working in temperatures of 38 degrees or more then you should give your camera breaks in an air-conditioned environment.

Certain elements of your camera are more prone to overheating than others; one part to be aware of is the LCD screen. If possible, you should limit your use of the LCD and use an external monitor or a viewfinder.

Extremely hot and humid conditions can cause fungus to grow in your camera so these steps are a necessary precaution.

Never leave the lens pointing directly at the sun, or any other strong light source, as the intense light can deteriorate the image sensor and cause permanent pixel defects leading to spots on your photos.

Cold

When it’s cold, batteries drain of charge quicker. Carry extra fully charged batteries with you so you’re not caught off guard. Use hand warmers in your camera bag to keep them warm when they're not in use.

Additionally, in really cold weather some cables can become brittle and break. Look into using special cold-weather cables to avoid this, and consider using protective gear such as polar jackets to shield your camera from snow and rain.

Sandy, Windy or Dusty Environments

In extremely windy and dusty locations, consider using underwater camera housing for ultimate protection.

To prevent dust or sand from entering your camera, use a camera cover. If you don’t have one of these, put a plastic bag over your lens and secure it using an elastic band.

Looking After Camera Batteries and Memory Cards

To extend the life of your camera batteries, make sure you're not overcharging them as this can degrade the capacity of the battery over time.

If you plan on leaving your camera unused for an extended amount of time, you should remove the battery. This is to prevent the battery from corroding or leaking and causing irreversible damage.

Regarding memory cards, you should periodically format them in the camera to prevent data corruption. Use high-quality, reputable memory cards as they are more likely to have better data storage and retrieval speeds, crucial for smooth performance in high-resolution shots.

Don't overlook firmware updates as these are vital for maintaining the performance of your camera and resolving any bugs or glitches. It's a good idea to make a habit of checking for updates and installing them as necessary.

Regularly Inspect Your Camera

If you regularly use your camera you will immediately notice any problems. If you only occasionally use your camera it can be easy to overlook small issues - regularly inspect your camera to catch any problems before they worsen. Focus on these areas:

• Buttons, dials and switches are all functioning as normal.
• LCD screen is not malfunctioning and there are no dead pixels.
• Ports and connections don't contain any dirt or damage that could hinder performance or connectivity.

Professional Servicing When Necessary

If you notice persistent issues with your camera, like focusing problems, shutter malfunctions or spots on your sensor, then it’s best to seek professional servicing. Experts will be able to diagnose and resolve any complex issues that you cannot be addressed with regular camera maintenance.

Any physical damage such as smashed screens, broken dials, jammed shutters, loose aperture blades or stuck memory cards are best resolved by professionals - attempting to fix these yourself could cause more harm than good.

Camera Insurance

Even with the best maintenance, accidents and unforeseen events can still occur. That's where camera insurance comes in handy. Whether you're a professional or an amateur, your camera and the rest of your gear reflect an investment so protecting them with camera insurance is a no-brainer.

Final Thoughts

Proper camera maintenance is an investment that pays off in the long run. Taking the time to regularly clean, inspect and care for your camera not only improves its performance but will also enhance the quality of your photos. It might feel tedious, but a small effort goes a long way. In conjunction with camera insurance, you can be confident all your equipment is looked after.