Extend The Life Of Your DSLR With These Tips

Being a professional photographer, we can assume that you own a DSLR camera, and there is probably a good reason. To be precise, there are endless great reasons to own a DSLR, but here are four excellent reasons to own a DSLR, as per us: They’re incredibly affordable, they’re highly dependable, and if you take good care of them, they’ll last a very long time giving the best of shots for you to capture. Last but not least, there’s the optical viewfinder, which makes it an amazing photographing gadget. The incredible experience of raising a camera to your eye and seeing the real world is something that an electronic viewfinder can never place. And thankfully, DSLR camera technology has now achieved its highest potential, for the most part. This simply means that if you buy a DSLR camera for your professional photography experience, it will not only last for years, physically, but it is also unlikely to be obsoleted by a new camera.

This is the blog for every DSLR owner who wants to get the most out of their professional camera. Here are six amazing and great tips which will surely ensure a healthy and extended life of a DSLR camera in no time. Trust us; these DSLR camera maintenance tips will ensure you get the most out of your gear in the best possible way!

A Bit of Water is Not A Big Deal, but Make Sure You Are Keeping A Dry Cloth Handy Always

There is no denying the fact that monsoons and winters are indeed the best time to head out for treks and explore nature at its best, but electronics are best when kept away from water and moisture. If your DSLR is somehow exposed to any type of moisture or water, don’t panic! All you have to do is to wipe it down with a soft and dry cloth as soon as you can. Raindrops, morning dew, and other types of non-salty moisture need only be wiped off with a dry cloth. However, saltwater splashes deserve a more thorough wiping with a damp cloth first. If we put it in simple words, salt conducts electricity and makes water bad news for any electronics it touches. When water or moisture enters the DSLR and touches the wrong components, it not only causes rusting but also leaves the camera buttons dysfunctional. It is never recommended to keep the DSLR camera near water anytime. Unless your DSLR camera has an IP67/IP68 rating for water resistance or a water-tight housing from a trusted brand, it is always a smart move to keep them away from liquids.

If you are going for an outdoor shoot like on a beach, river, or pool, don’t let water splashes fall on your DSLR camera. If your client wants professional shots near water bodies, moist environments, or during rains, make sure you are buying a waterproof case to have the complete protection of your DSLR. There are various waterproof cases available on Amazon and on Flipkart at a budget-friendly cost that will offer the best protection to your expensive gear and keep it safe.

What You Should Do When Your DSLR Camera Lens Gets Wet?

Switch off Your Camera Instantly: If your DSLR camera accidentally falls into water or if by chance water splashes fall on your DSLR camera, all you have to do is to turn off your camera immediately. Keeping your camera on will only let it get damaged even further.

Don’t Forget to Remove the Memory Card and Batteries: Most memory cards are weather-resistant, even when wet. However, it is advisable you should not take any chances to risk losing any data. Removing the batteries is essential and will give you time to work around the data and keep it safe. Just take them out and leave them someplace dry with good ventilation to dry out so that there is no water or moisture left in them.

Never Be Afraid To Switch Lenses and Learn To Clean Your Sensor

One of the best parts of owning a DSLR camera is the shutter and mirror that keeps dust off the sensor and automatic sensor cleaning. You can go a few months before needing to clean your sensor, even if you change lenses frequently.

When changing lenses, keep your camera body pointed downwards. You should have a clean lens cloth handy to keep your camera lens’ front and rear elements free of dust! Also, don’t freak out if you forget to turn off your camera before changing lenses. It will all be fine, we assure you!

With that being said, cleaning your DSLR camera sensor is always a good idea. These days “wet” sensor cleaning kits are available ranging from $20 to $40, offering an easy DSLR sensor cleaning hack. As long as you are using a fresh swab and the right liquid solution for cleaning, your risk of causing any kind of actual harm to your DSLR sensor is next to zero.

If you are afraid to touch the sensor of your DSLR camera with a wet swab, you can get a “rocket blower” type of tool. This kind of tool usually removes about 99% of the dust that has settled on the camera sensor. Never blow on your sensor with your mouth; the humidity on your breath will only cause dust to stick even worse to the DSLR camera sensor. And lastly, never use canned air blasters, either!

Always Use the Right Cleaning Tools for The Job; Retire Them When Needed

The rocket blower and a lens pen are great cleaning tools for your DSLR camera. You don’t have to get the most expensive clearing gadgets; all you have to do is to use the right tool for the job. Here are certain steps to consider when using the right cleaning tool for cleaning the DSLR camera.

Camera Lenses

• Air-blow the lenses to remove any major particles that might scratch the lens glass
• Always use a brush for additional scratch-avoidance
• Never forget to use a lens cloth and a good lens cleaning solution to gently wipe out the lens glass’s surface. Wipe until all cleaning solution residue (and any oils from your fingers etc.) are completely clean.

Sensors

• Manually activate the sensor of your DSLR camera’s cleaning mechanism. If possible, repeat the process three to five times for proper cleaning.
• Air-blow the sensor to remove any major particles that might bring a scratch to the sensor.
• Make sure that the camera’s manual cleaning mode is correctly activated, (mirror and shutter are locked open, and the camera battery isn’t low) and use a wet cleaning swab to gently wipe the sensor; repeat with a dry swab until all cleaning liquid vanishes completely. It is important to perform cleanings in order to have a healthy life for your DSLR camera. If you don’t do this, there’s a chance that you may grind a little grain of sand into your DSLR lens or sensor.

If you prefer to use a microfiber cloth for cleaning, retire them after a while. A new camera lens cleaning cloth costs a few cents or a few dollars, but replacing your front element or even a nice UV filter can be well over $100!

Batteries Are Important. Keep Your DSLR Batteries Healthy

Lithium-ion DSLR camera batteries are pretty hearty things. If you tend to take good care of them, they will last for years and years. Professional photographers having Nikon batteries will understand this. We are sure that their batteries are still going strong.

Sometimes we forget that it’s good to cycle the camera batteries up and down at least once in a while. If your camera batteries spend virtually all of their life with a 95-100% charge, they can effectively “forget” the lower percent range, which might affect their battery health.

One of the best ways to avoid the drainage of your DSLR camera batteries is to let your batteries go all the way down to 10-15%. Of course, you don’t want to do it constantly, but it is unhealthy if you ‘never’ do it! To complete this battery refresh, of course, charge your battery back up to 100%. So, don’t let it sit around forever at near-zero.

If you have a habit of plugging your camera battery into its charger and then forgetting about it for a day or three, don’t be worried about it! After sitting in the charger at 100% for a couple of days, the batteries will automatically “trickle charge” which does not affect its health. Name-branded chargers are designed to handle this situation rather well. However, you should store batteries off the charger if it’s going to be a matter of weeks or months!

You Must Be Aware of The Risks Involving Heat, Cold, Temperature Changes, and Humidity

There are many professional photographers who are a bit afraid of super cold temperatures or a little drizzle, but, actually, the biggest threat to your DSLR camera’s lifespan is heat and humidity. Being experienced photographers, we’re sure that you have shot your client in sub-zero temperatures with snow all around with both sealed and unsealed cameras and lenses, with no issues. In your photography career, you have probably seen cameras left out on a cold night that work fine after “thawing,” but  watch out for rapid temperature changes.

If you are shooting indoors, the warm interiors might cause condensation on your cold DSLR camera. This can  eventually lead to fungus or permanent moisture marks on the lenses, messing up with your DSLR.

Lastly, Get your Gear Serviced Every 1-3 Years

Your DSLR camera is an expensive gadget. One of the great and best ways to ensure a healthy, extended life of your camera is regular service and calibration. Taking your DSLR camera for servicing and calibration will not only help you get your DSLR’s sensor cleaned professionally but will also offer an overall checkup.

Whether you are interested in a more traditional photography experience or owning professional equipment, there is no better choice than a DSLR camera. Just be sure to take care of your equipment, and it will have a long working life. Thankfully, DSLR repair and maintenance is a very simple and budget-friendly process!