How to get smoke smell out of camera?

There was a big fire that happened near me today and I went to shoot it. Got some outstanding images of firefighters against walls of smoke and flame that even got picked up by some local media but noticed my gear smells a little bit like smoke now. Any tips on getting the smell off?

Just give it some time Unless it was heavily contaminated (which is shouldn't have been if you had it in your possession), the smell will fade away fairly quickly.

I have been in the fire service for many years. Was it a Residential fire, commercial fire, car, dumpster, or brush fire? Depending on the type of fire and the amount of smoke exposure you may want to wipe everything down with a damp cloth. It most likely won’t be a problem but there can be some nasty stuff in smoke and it should be avoided when possible. I have seen the smoke from a commercial building warehouse actually corrode the aluminum and chrome on a fire truck (Granted you wouldn’t have been allowed to be near anything like that.). But a quick wipe down to get any residue off wouldn’t hurt, if there is anything on your gear you won’t continually re-expose your self to what was in the smoke, it might be good spring cleaning too.

Thanks guys. ump107, it was a brush/grass fire, which was why I was okay with going near it... there was a residential fire a few blocks up from me a few months ago and the smoke was acrid and I'm sure very toxic... stayed inside for that one since I didn't want to breathe that smoke. That's crazy about the metal getting corroded on the fire truck though!

Anyway, I gave it a wipe down (which it needed anyway) with a damp cloth and it seems to have taken the majority of the smell off.

Rub dog poop all over it.

However, that may end up being a different but similar problem to solve.

For me, the smell always dissipates after a while. If the camera is kept in the bag, it'll take longer for the smell to go away. I do remove any soot or ash from the camera, though.

ump107 wrote in post #14071021
I have been in the fire service for many years. Was it a Residential fire, commercial fire, car, dumpster, or brush fire? Depending on the type of fire and the amount of smoke exposure you may want to wipe everything down with a damp cloth. It most likely won’t be a problem but there can be some nasty stuff in smoke and it should be avoided when possible. I have seen the smoke from a commercial building warehouse actually corrode the aluminum and chrome on a fire truck (Granted you wouldn’t have been allowed to be near anything like that.). But a quick wipe down to get any residue off wouldn’t hurt, if there is anything on your gear you won’t continually re-expose your self to what was in the smoke, it might be good spring cleaning too.

Great advice from someone knows. Thanks

Visit your local autoparts store, or often even a place like Target, and pickup a small spray can of some stuff called Ozium. Usually found with the automotive air fresheners, it uses activated glycol something-or-other, but trust me it works a charm. It's what car dealers and rental agencies use to mask smoke smell in vehicles, but it works very well on clothes, bags and the like. Comes in a can that looks like this:

Paper will work but it takes a long time. Get a box of baking soda that has the side opening for putting it in the refridgerator. Put it in a ziplock with the camera for a few days. Its OK to pull it out and use it, just put it back in when you are done. Charcoal will also work. If you can find some filters that are open enough. Such as some fish filters.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys

There's a Febreeze fabric spray, should work.

Just leave it for a while...

I have covered a bunch of bushfires, and Structure fires.
And I have never even noticed my cameras or my Blackrapid strap smelling of smoke.

The protective clothing I wear at bushfires does pick up the smoke smell very easily though, and needs to be washed before it goes back in the storage cupboard