Best Digital Camera Blog

Whether you’re an avid, active photographer or you just drag your digital camera along to events for some happy snaps, there will always uncontrollable external factors around you that could potentially damage your digital camera. Let’s face it; you want your digital camera to last you for many years to come – so good camera care is imperative – notably if you’ve exceeded the cameras warranty.

Digital SLR Cameras in particular are highly susceptible to the merciless wrath of nature, and they’re not cheap to repair either. Let’s run through 6 different environmental elements that could potentially damage your digital camera or lens, and how to avoid them:

1. Sand – I’m yet to encounter not one person who doesn’t enjoy a little beach photography from time to time, whether you’re taking amazing landscape photos of the sunset over the oceanic horizon, or you’re taking pictures of family shenanigans at a beachside barbeque, drop your camera in the sand and you’re done for. Why? Digital Cameras are mechanically delicate, and sand is highly abrasive. If you get sand inside of your camera, not only can you guarantee scratches but it could potentially stop the camera working.We’re obviously not going to tell you to stop going to the beach and taking photos, but what we will tell you is to exercise some common sense (which a lot of people seem to be bereft of at times). Keep your cameras and your lenses in a camera bag, if not wrap them inside of a dry towel and store them in a plastic bag. Don’t lay your camera on the ground for a second, not even when changing lenses, do this on a beach mat! It’s that simple, and it can save you a lot of trouble and a lot of money in the long run.
2. Lotions and repellents – When you’re out in the open sun photographing the great big wide world, it’s inevitable that you’re going to apply sunscreen, insect repellents or lotions to protect your skin from the outdoors.  Unfortunately a lot of the things you apply to your skin will be relatively greasy. Ensure that you always wash your hands before touching your digital camera lens, and most importantly, never store bottles of sunscreen or lotion in your camera bag. This type of thing only indicates one thing: disaster!
3. Dust – Like sand, this stuff can be pretty abrasive and may damage the insides of your camera. The difference here though is that dust can be airborne, making it easy for particles to permeate around and inside of your camera. If you’re taking photos in a dusty environment outdoors, for example a dirt check, make sure that you thoroughly clean your camera when you get home. Use a soft brush and a micro-fiber cloth. Digital SLR cameras are particularly susceptible to dust, so you might find marks on your sensor every now and then. Test your camera to see if your sensor is dirty simply by setting it to the smallest aperture and shooting at a white wall or ceiling.
4. Moisture – A Cameras worst enemy (unless of course, your camera happens to be waterproofed). The most common error made here is people dropping their camera in water. As soon as your digital camera is immersed, this could mean a swift end to its life. Avoid these types of mishaps by always using the camera neck straps or wrist straps (they come with your camera for a reason!). Another killer is condensation, say for example you’re camera is acclimatized to an air conditioned environment and when you go outside the weather is humid. This can actually do some long-term damage to highly sensitive digital cameras like DSLRs. Keeping a silica gel pack in your camera bag is a good remedy for this type of thing, most of the time you can buy these in bulk from your local digital camera store.
5. Salt – Another digital camera killer that lurks within the seaside air of your local beach. This one mainly applies to digital SLR cameras, because salt can actually corrode some types of lenses. Make sure you’re using a UV filter when photographing where the air is salty!
6. Dropping your camera – We’re only human, and this thing happens from time to time. You could be standing on a gravel road, not wearing your neck strap or write strap and then CRASH! Total annihilation of your camera and lens. It’s relatively simple, keep your camera attached to you at all times and only purchase a camera bag if it has a considerable amount of padding.