How to Care for Your Camera

[gauden44]

So yeah, I'm a newbie and did a lot of searching on this forum, however I just can't seem to find a thread discussing how to care for your gear.

I just got a camera and lens and am wondering what the basics are. For example, is it okay for the camera and lens to be attached just sitting on a piece of furniture, or should I take the lens off (and put the caps on of course)?

If there is a previous thread discussing this information I'd greatly appreciate a link to it :). Thanks!

[samnz]

Most DSLRs can taken a beating...that includes the 20D. It's ok to leave lenses mounted to the body for extended periods.

If you ever have to take off your 18-55, just make sure the IS has 'wound down' or even switched off - before you do.

A blower brush is your camera's best friend too.

[<AkulA>]

Store cameras in places where it would be hard to knock them over... most bodies don't take kindly to falls over a couple feet! Also, if you keep your neck strap on, be careful when you pick the body up in case it's wrapped around something. I've had this happen a couple times and pulled stuff off the table with the strap, lol.

As far as the maintenance of the actual camera itself, read the manual on how to care for it. Keep a blower handy to get rid of dust, and if you're an "newbie" I'd suggest professional sensor cleanings every once in a while. It'll reduce the risk of you damaging your own sensor.

Anything else you'd like to know? And welcome to POTN!

[tonylong]

Use common sense!

I always have a lens attached ot my bodies, and a hood attached to my lens (I don't use UV filters). Indoors, sitting around, I don't keep my cameras in a place where they can be easiily knocked off. Plus, I have a pocket P&Sf or the One-Shot special occasions!

[EWek11]

You should probably also keep your camera stored in a padded bag when not in use. Leaving it sitting on furniture is not a good idea, and if you're connecting it to your computer via cable, I'd make sure to ALWAYS unplug it before getting up.

[JWright]

I keep mine sitting on a credenza in my office. It usually has a lens and hood attached (and no caps on the lens). I have a peice of neoprene it sits on so it won't readily slide off and the strap is always up on the desk as well. I have three cats, one of whom like to walk on the furniture in the office. He always leaves the camera alone. Now my pens and pencils, that's another matter...

[lonelyjew]

One thing I looked into was taking a camera out into the cold(I was attempting winter landscape shots). The cold won't damage your camera but you must put it away into a bag(preferably one that is airtight) or at least in a camera bag and allow it to warm up before taking it out. A cold camera in warm air will collect moisture which can cause all sorts of problems.

Also, I guess dust and finger prints on the outside of the lens aren't that big of a deal and won't show up on your picture unless it's really bad so you don't have to clean obsessively. In fact I was told that cleaning lenses too often can wreck them.

I'm a nub to so that's about all I got.

[Glenn NK]

Just to clarify the temperature change problem:

It won't hurt going from warm to cold - the problem is from cold to warm when moisture will condense on the cold camera. Keep in an airtight bag until it warms up.

Some posters here use Ziploc bags - a good idea I think. I have just kept the camera in the zippered bag to let it warm up for an hour or two before removing with no problems.

Anyone that has worn eyeglasses understands this one quite well.:)

[ltr]

second the notion on the padded bag, get a nice lowepro slingshot

[SuzyView]

Storing equipment while not in use is not a problem for me. I have more than enough bags. I store everything in bags in an area of the house where temperatures don't change much. I always have a camera with a lens attached to grab quickly, but always with caps. Even when camera bodies are stored, always with caps. Buy extra if you need to. And don't leave in your car or garage if you can avoid it. Here in Va, it is unwise to ever leave gear in the car, it's too hot in the summer and too cold at night in the winter.

[ryant35]

I keep my equipment in a padded Lowe Pro bag. I don't have room for 2 bodies both with lenses, so I keep a body cap on my 20D, and my wide angle zoom on my 40D. Just so it's quick and easy to start shooting. I also keep it on Av, wide open, iso 100, so I am ready and I know exactly what to change to what for current conditions. (I had a few issues with forgetting to change my ISO back down from 1600 or 3200 from special circumstances).

As for cleaning, I have my rocket blower for everyday cleaning of the buttons and view finder. (I shoot in a lot of dusty environments). Of course sensor swabs & cleaner.
And I use alcohol swabs (they area old and almost dry) for wiping dust, finger prints and the occasional mud platters from off-road race trucks.

I almost never keep my camera outside of the bag while not in use, or if I am not sitting at my desk with it in front of me. I have a 5 year old and 2 cats, so I never leave it out for long.