Eight tips to take care of your digital camera
When you are interested in photography and want to take a course, the first thing you do is buy a new or second-hand camera. Although in the classes they teach you how to handle it, they do not always give you advice on taking care of it. To find out more about the measures you should take into account, we talked to Ricardo Choy-Kitfox, a professional photographer and professor at the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences. With over 20 years of experience, he has plenty of advice for anyone just starting out who wants to keep their gear in top condition.
Prevent It From Hitting
The first advice is to be careful with falls because they are objects that need a lot of precision and can be easily damaged. It is also important when transporting the camera. Large cases can attract attention and endanger your safety, so it is recommended to have a simple case and store it inside a normal suitcase. In the case of carrying several glasses and not having a case for each one, they can be wrapped in scarves to prevent them from colliding in the suitcase.
Be Careful With Lens Changes
One of the advantages of an SLR camera is that you can change slowly. This can give your photography a lot of versatility, but you have to be careful with lens changes outdoors. Uncovering the inside of the camera and lens exposes you to dust and dirt from the environment you’re in. What is more dangerous is that it reaches the sensor, which will create spots in the photos you take. The best way to avoid this is to try to change lenses as little as possible. It is also recommended that if you must change lenses, you do so in an environment with little wind and where there is not much sand or earth.
Buy Filters For Your Glasses
When purchasing a new lens, the best way to take care of it is to also get a filter. This serves as protection against any element that can hit, damage, or stain the glass of the lens. The accessory may alter the photos you take in some circumstances, but for those occasions, it can be removed. It is important to have it on generally to limit problems. If the lens gets scratched, the points where this happens will lose sharpness.
Clean Equipment After Use
After going on a hike or a shoot where the camera was exposed to sand or dirt, it is recommended to clean with a special brush – which can also be a large brush – to remove anything that may have stuck to the camera. A rag should then be used to finish the cleaning. This is important to prevent particles from entering the camera system and damaging it. It is also dangerous for lenses because it can jam the movements for both zoom and focus and damage them. In the event that it gets stuck by the ground or the wind, it is best to send it to the technical service.
Protect The Camera From Rain
For photographers who are off-road, this is particularly important. The first thing is to determine if your camera has the ability to resist water. In the event that I do not have it —which is very common— it is best to always have a transparent bag on hand with which you can cover your equipment. If rain catches you while taking photos in the middle of the jungle, you can take a bag, make a hole for the lens to come out a bit, and continue photographing.
Moisture Is A Danger
Humidity is a very dangerous element for those who live in Lima. If you leave your camera stored for a long time, it may become covered in fungus. After fifteen days they can appear a little outside, but at least it is already beginning to affect the interior —especially in the lens— which is more difficult to clean. If this happens, the camera or lens should be taken in for service. Keep in mind that they will have to disassemble it to clean it and there is a risk that it will not be the same. To avoid this procedure, if you are not going to use the equipment for a long time, choose a dry place to store it. Likewise, there are thermal boxes that are ideal to combat the Lima climate.
Think About Maintenance
Depending on the type of work you should think about the maintenance you should do to your equipment. If you dedicate yourself to taking photos every day and outdoors, the best thing to do is send them to a technician every year for a preventive check-up. However, if you are dedicated to studio photography, you do not need to bring it. In that case, it will depend on the possible problems you may have with your camera over time.
Choose The Right Technician
Not all technicians work with the same precision. The best thing is that someone you trust recommended it to you. There is also the possibility of going to official stores that are official representatives of the brand of camera you have.
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