When it comes to idle cameras, it's probably the most common thing in the photography circle. Hence, there's a saying: "What a camera fears most is not being dropped, but being left idle." Many people have had such experiences: after not taking photos for a while, the camera is left there "collecting dust". When they take it out again, they find that the focusing is not smooth, the lens is foggy, the shutter is stuck, and even mold grows on the lens. This is really annoying, so even if the camera is not used for a long time, it needs proper maintenance. As a photography practitioner, I've seen too many cases where cameras are damaged due to improper maintenance. So this article will talk about camera maintenance with you.
Why does a camera "break" when left unused for a long time?
After all, a camera is a precision electronic product, and its composition determines that it is extremely dependent on environmental conditions. Simply put, if a camera is not used for a long time in a humid environment, mold can easily grow on the glass and adhesive layers in the lens group. In mild cases, it affects image quality; in severe cases, the camera is scrapped. For some mechanical parts such as shutters, apertures, and zoom rings, if they are not used for a long time, the lubricating oil inside will dry up and stick. Some metal contacts inside are prone to oxidation when not used for a long time, leading to poor contact.
Therefore, if you plan to leave the camera unused for a long time, you need to do some maintenance on it.
Specific maintenance methods
Clean the camera thoroughly first
Don't put the camera away when it's dirty. Because dust, fingerprints, and sweat stains on the camera are "hotbeds" for mold and corrosion on the body and lens. Therefore, use an air blower, lens paper, and special cleaning fluid to clean the lens, LCD screen, seams, and buttons. Pay special attention to the gaps on the body, hot shoe slots, and lens mount parts, where dust is most likely to accumulate.
Handle the battery correctly
Whether you use an original lithium battery or a third-party battery, if you don't use the camera for a long time, you must take out the battery. Because leaving the battery in the body, at best, will cause the battery to lose power and be scrapped; at worst, it will leak and corrode the motherboard, directly damaging the body. The best storage state for the battery is to charge it to about 50% and store it in a cool and dry place. Never store it fully charged or completely empty.
Should the lens be separated from the body for storage?
Many people want to take off the lens and store it separately from the body when leaving the camera idle. In fact, this depends on the actual situation. If the idle time is not long, there is no need to separate the lens from the body. Because the connection of the lens bayonet of general cameras now has a dust-proof function, so it is safer to keep the lens mounted on the camera body. If it is to be left idle for a long time and conditions permit, you can store the lens and body separately. However, you must cover the lens mount and body mount with their respective caps to prevent dust from getting in. If conditions do not permit, do not separate the body from the lens; it is better to keep them together.
Moisture-proof is the top priority
Electronic products like cameras are very afraid of water, so "moisture-proof" is the top priority of camera maintenance. If the environment where the camera is placed is humid, try to buy a moisture-proof box just in case. If the environment is dry and well-ventilated, you can put the camera in an ordinary box, which is also okay. But before placing it, it's better to wrap the camera slightly and put some moisture-absorbing desiccants around it to provide basic protection.
Turn on the camera regularly
A camera is not a storage cabinet; leaving it "unpowered" for a long time will accelerate its aging. Therefore, it is recommended to turn on the camera with the battery installed at least once a month, press the shutter a few times, move the zoom ring, check whether the camera functions are normal, whether there are error prompts, and check whether the battery is swollen or leaking.
There's an old saying: "Objects have spirits." A camera that has accompanied you through many places should not be forgotten in a corner or slowly corroded in humidity. If you love photography, please treat your camera well. Cameras are not exclusive to certain people, and their maintenance is never exclusive to certain people. It is the basic respect that every photographer shows to their beloved photography.
Related Tags： Experience in using cameras