Camera Care and Maintenance

Submitted by WhiteWall Team

How to care for and maintain your camera

The camera is a sensitive tool that is exposed to a variety of environmental influences such as dust, moisture or dirt. These can not only damage the outside of the camera, but can also penetrate its interior and cause damage. To ensure that your camera works perfectly and has a long service life, it is important to look after and maintain it regularly. After all, a neglected device can not only impair image quality, but also result in expensive repairs. We show you what you need to look out for.

The enemies of the camera - and how to counter them

Dust and moisture are two of the biggest threats to your camera. Both can impair its functionality and cause serious damage. To minimize these risks, you should take a few precautions.

How to protect your camera from moisture

Avoid using the camera in very high humidity and in heavy rain. Even if the camera is protected all round by seals according to the manufacturer, you should not overdo it if in doubt. However, light rain is generally not a problem for sealed cameras.

However, cameras without protective seals should be brought into the dry quickly even in a light shower. This is because the sensitive electronics can react very sensitively to even small amounts of water. Corrosion can also be a problem in damp conditions. Tip: If you want to or have to take photos in a damp environment, use a rain cover, umbrella or waterproof camera bag to protect your equipment.

If your camera does get wet, allow it to dry completely before using it again. Remove the battery and memory card and leave the camera to dry in a warm place.

How to protect your camera from dust

Dust can easily get into the camera and is a particular danger with system cameras, especially when changing lenses. Mirrorless system cameras (DSLMs) are the most susceptible in this respect, as there is no mirror box compared to SLR cameras and dust can therefore get onto the sensor unhindered when changing lenses. On some DSLMs, such as the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, slats therefore move in front of the sensor when the lens is removed to protect it from dust when the lens is changed.

Dust on the sensor does not initially sound as problematic as damage caused by moisture - however, the fine particles can become noticeable as dark spots on the photo and result in time-consuming retouching. To avoid the ingress of dust, you should hold the camera downwards when changing the lens and not change the lens in strong winds. If the latter cannot be avoided, try holding your jacket over it to protect it, for example.

Basic cleaning steps for cameras

If, despite all precautionary measures, moisture or dust has penetrated the camera housing, you can either take the camera to your trusted specialist dealer for cleaning, which may involve costs, or you can try it yourself.

While light dust on the sensor can sometimes be removed with a blower, wet cleaning may be necessary for stains or stubborn dirt. Special cleaning kits are available from specialist retailers for this purpose. With both cleaning methods, however, you should ensure that you do not accidentally damage the sensor. Important: The warranty for your camera is void if you have caused the damage yourself.

In the following, we would like to give you some basic steps on how best to clean the various camera components.

Before you start cleaning, make sure that the camera is switched off and the battery has been removed to avoid accidentally switching it on. Choose a clean and dust-free location to clean the camera.

Avoid areas with strong draughts to prevent dust from being stirred up. Use soft microfiber cloths and special cleaning tools such as a bellows, a brush with soft bristles and a sensor magnifier. Such tools are available in various cleaning kits from stationary or online retailers. We recommend that all photographers always have such a set with them.

Now clean the camera body with a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt. Avoid aggressive cleaning agents so as not to damage the coating. The recesses of the eyepiece cap on the viewfinder, the connections and the operating elements are best cleaned with the bellows and a fine brush. Also check the lens mount regularly for dust and dirt. It is best to use a small brush and not the bellows to ensure that the dirt does not land on the sensor. Turn the camera downwards when doing this. And a microfiber cloth is usually sufficient for cleaning the display.

Conclusion

Regular care and maintenance of the camera and its components is important to ensure that it works perfectly for as long as possible. It is advisable to always take a commercially available cleaning kit with you when you are out and about taking photos. Nothing is more annoying than getting dust on the sensor when changing lenses and not being able to do anything about it. The result of regular camera cleaning is first-class images without annoying artifacts or limitations - and therefore perfect source material for creating high-quality photo products. For example, an elegant and timeless photo book or a photo on canvas with a classic structure that you can display in your home.