| Cameras need constant care and attention to | | | | your camera home. |
| keep in optimum operational condition. They | | | | After returning from a trip to India my Nikon SLR |
| generally require daily attention if you are traveling | | | | metering system failed. I subsequently sent it off |
| and even more in adverse conditions. Here is a | | | | for repair. The camera was returned with a note |
| guide to help care for your camera when | | | | saying a family of spiders took up residence. |
| conditions become extreme. | | | | They were alive all this time and feeding off |
| Extreme Cold | | | | fungus. Sealing your camera in a plastic bag is the |
| Carry your camera equipment in a hermetically | | | | best way to prevent this from occurring. Learn |
| sealed metal case; a complete seal is important. | | | | about the impact of humidity on camera |
| Gaffer tape can be used as a sealant against fine | | | | equipment through a respectable photography |
| snow and is effective down to -10 degrees C. | | | | course online and take the appropriate |
| Take great care when touching metal parts | | | | precautionary action. |
| especially with the face. Skin sticks to frozen | | | | Excessive Dust |
| metal and can be torn off to remove; this is | | | | This is a huge problem for SLR cameras |
| extremely painful. | | | | particularly if you use prime lenses and changing |
| Try to keep your equipment at a constant | | | | them frequently. Dust gets inside and makes its |
| temperature as much as possible. Relocating into | | | | way to the sensor and stays put. It can be |
| a warm room straight from the cold causes | | | | extremely difficult to remove if not impossible. |
| condensation to form. When taken outside again | | | | You may have to send the camera away for |
| the moisture freezes on contact with sub zero | | | | professional cleaning and this is expensive. Gone |
| temperatures. Both the moisture and ice in your | | | | are the days when a blower brush would get you |
| camera will almost certainly cause problems. A | | | | out of trouble. Keep your camera in a well sealed |
| way to avert this is to put your equipment in | | | | bag when exposed to dust. Consult a reputable |
| separate sealed plastic bags with packets of silica | | | | photography course online to find out the specifics |
| gel. Examine your camera design thoroughly by | | | | of your cameras controls and design. |
| means of a photography course online and learn | | | | Sea Water |
| how to deal with the issues of extreme conditions | | | | Salt water and even sea air can cause permanent |
| and the impact on your camera equipment. | | | | damage to your camera equipment. If you are |
| Extreme Heat | | | | working in a sea side location you need to take |
| Ground temperatures in many deserts can | | | | precautions. The best protection again sea water |
| exceed 50 degrees C. Cameras and associated | | | | damage is good insurance and a water proof |
| equipment left in these temperatures can become | | | | housing. If your camera falls unprotected into sea |
| untouchable. In addition direct sunlight on a camera | | | | water, the best thing to do is to throw it away |
| may melt the cement and glue holding | | | | and buy a new one. It will be utterly ruined. If you |
| components in place. Today, many metal parts | | | | wish to try and salvage the camera, rinse it |
| have been replaced by plastic; these can also melt | | | | thoroughly in clean water and take it immediately |
| under these temperatures. Keep equipment in | | | | to a professional repairer. I have been able to |
| silver colored cases to reflect the sun away from | | | | salvage mechanical cameras this way, but with |
| your equipment. Clean and maintain your | | | | electronic it's much more difficult. |
| equipment at night when its cool. A camera | | | | By taking the precautions mentioned here you will |
| wrapped in chamois leather at night will stay cool | | | | be able to avert the many problems that adverse |
| well into the day. | | | | conditions present. This is important to you as |
| High Humidity | | | | high quality cameras are expensive and are |
| The tropics give high humidity and this is also a | | | | vulnerable to the elements. Examine your camera |
| major problem for camera equipment. Moving | | | | design thoroughly by means of a photography |
| between air-conditioned buildings and the outside | | | | course online and learn how to deal with the |
| humid, damp air fogs glass and takes a long time | | | | issues of extreme conditions and the impact on |
| to clear. Keep all equipment constantly outside | | | | your camera equipment. Reduce these risks and |
| rather than inside is best if possible. In the damp | | | | enjoy years of use from your cameras and |
| heat fungus grows on many materials used in | | | | lenses. |
| your camera. Small insects may decide to make | | | | |