The most common problem photographers encounter is the presence of dust or smudges on the camera sensor or lenses. This problem could have disastrous consequences for photographs.
Sometimes it is mistakenly believed that smudges in photos are caused by the mirror, optical viewfinder, or lens but often, this is not true. Dust on the mirror or optical viewfinder has no effect on the final result of the photograph. The dust on the lens is too far from the focal point to be sharply focused. This may occasionally occur with a fish-eye lens, but almost never with a standard lens.
The camera and all its accessories can be quite expensive but, with regular care and maintenance, they can keep themselves in good condition for longer over time.
While in use, your camera can be exposed to some adverse conditions, such as rain snow, and dust even taking the right precautions (such as covering it in rainy weather), there are situations where the camera inevitably gets dirty and can be damaged.
How to Clean Camera Body | Ultimate Guide 2024
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The ideal would be to carry out maintenance treatments at least once a month, or after the shots are taken in particular conditions such as on the beach, on a windy or rainy day
Tools needed for cleaning and procedure to take care of your camera, there are some tools you need to have at home.
The maintenance kit would be stored in a zip-up plastic bag or another clean container so that the tools are always in good condition and ready to use.
Here is the list of items to have:
- antistatic microfiber cloth
- lens cleaning paper
- lens cleaning liquid
- blower bulb
- lens pen
- make-up brush
Cleaning a point-and-shoot camera
Here are all the steps to follow to perfectly clean a point-and-shoot camera:
Lenses
Turn the camera on to open the lens cover and rotate it so that the lens is facing the ground. Then blow on the lens with the air blower to release the stray particles. If you still notice particles on the edges of the lens, remove them very gently with the makeup brush or lens pen brush. Gently wipe the lens with the microfiber cloth in a circular motion: start in the middle of the lens and work your way up to the edges. If the microfiber cloth does not remove all dirt or stains, use a few drops of lens cleaning liquid or clean water. Put the drops on the cloth, not the lens, and clean in circular motions, using the damp part of the cloth first and finishing with the dry one.
LCD screen
After turning off the camera, use the brush to remove dust from the LCD and a dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe the screen by moving it back and forth horizontally across the surface. If the dry cloth does not remove all the stains, lightly moisten it with a drop or two of water before cleaning the LCD screen again. As with the lens, avoid using rough cloths or paper products, including paper towels, tissues, and napkins, to clean the LCD.
Camera body
Turn off the camera. If you shot outdoors, where the wind may have brought sand or dirt, first use a small brush to sweep away the sand or tiny particles. Pay close attention to the joint where the digital camera body joins, the camera connectors, the battery and memory card doors, and the areas where the camera dials and buttons protrude. Sand in these areas could cause problems over time, getting inside the machine body and damaging its components. Clean the viewfinder and the front of the built-in flash, if applicable. Use the same method you used for the glass on the front of the lens: First, use a dry microfiber cloth and only moisten the cloth as needed for stubborn stains. Clean camera Body with a dry cloth. You can use a microfiber cloth, but you may want to save the microfiber cloth for the lens, viewfinder, and LCD only. Be careful when using the cloth around the camera buttons, dials, and connectors. If the camera zoom lens extends from the camera body, turn the camera on and gently wipe the external zoom housing. If the dry cloth does not work on a particularly dirty area of the camera body, moisten it slightly. You can use a little more force when cleaning the camera body than cleaning the delicate lens or LCD.
Clean a DSLR camera
Here are all the steps to follow to perfectly clean a DSLR camera:
Body
Start cleaning camera body. The process is the same as cleaning the body of a point-and-shoot camera. Use a soft, dry cloth, such as a microfiber cloth, to gently clean the camera body of dirt, dust, or fingerprints. For stubborn dirt, lightly moisten the cloth with distilled water.
Be careful when cleaning around the lens mount to prevent dust/dirt, etc. fall inside. It is a good idea to do this with the lens facing down.
LCD screen
Although the LCD on a DSLR camera may be larger than those found on a beginner-level camera, the LCD cleaning process is the same regardless of its size. Your microfiber cleaning cloth comes in handy once again for this task. If necessary, moisten it slightly but do not use detergents or solvents that could cause flaking. Apply as little pressure as possible.
Lens
When cleaning the lens, use a small blower and a soft brush to remove dust or sand. It is essential not to skip this step: if you do not remove the specks first, you could scratch the lens when using the cloth. To remove some small spots left, use the brush on the end of the lens pen. Making a quick movement of the brush around the lens should be a good trick. Then, gently wipe the lens with a soft, dry cloth in a circular motion from the center out. Sometimes, there may be mud on the lens: in this case, it is essential to use the liquid for cleaning the lenses or the lens pen, making the same circular motion with the cloth, until it is completely gone. However, using cleaning solutions should be a last resort and not something you do every time you clean your camera. The interchangeable DSLR lens has two glass surfaces that are exposed to the elements. Make sure you clean both the front and back. To maintain the integrity of the glass on both sides of the lens, place the lens caps on the ends as soon as you remove it from the camera. Before putting the lens cover back on, give it a quick swipe with the blower and a brush. Finally, you can clean the outside of the lens with a clean, dry cloth.
Lens attachment
To keep the DSLR camera lens mount and its electrical contacts working best, try to keep this area dry and free of dirt with a microfiber cloth.
Mirror and screen
These components are very delicate. It is best to leave the cleaning to the professional; a blower bulb is enough to remove the occasional speck of dust from the mirror. For stains or other types of dirt, take the body to a professional.
Image sensor
Dust on the camera’s image sensor looks like a series of slightly blurry spots in images, so it’s important to keep it clean. Some cameras have a built-in image sensor cleaning system, which usually involves rapid vibration of the sensor. Never try to clean the sensor with a cloth or liquid solution. A bellows bulb should suffice for dust spots. For sticky dirt, it’s best to take your camera to a professional.
What not to do when cleaning a digital camera
Here are the things not to do when cleaning your camera:
Compressed air
The pressure is too strong and could bring dust or sand into the camera body, damaging internal components.
Excess liquids
If you need to use liquids to clean the camera, do not place them directly on the camera; lightly dampen a cloth and then wipe the camera.
Cleaning fluids
Never use alcohol, paint thinner, or other solvents on any part of the camera. These are too hard and can cause damage.
Card
Do not use paper towels, tissues, or paper-based products, as they lose fibers and debris and can scratch delicate surfaces.
Your breath
Do not breathe on the lenses, as your breath may be too acidic and damage them.
Instead, moisten a cloth with a few drops of water.
Having a lens pen is an excellent option for cleaning the lens and LCD display.
Tips for preserving your digital camera
Here are some precautions you can take to keep your camera looking its best.
Keep the lens cap
On the front lens element whenever the lens is attached to the camera unless you are shooting.
Keep your camera bag clean
Dirt and dust can build up after some time. Make sure you take out all accessories and clean the bag with a vacuum cleaner.
Turn off the camera before replacing the lens
As this will reduce static electricity in the sensor reducing the risk of attracting dust.
How to check the sensor
To check if there is dust on the sensor, proceed as follows:
Attach a lens to the camera.
Select manual focus (M) using the adjustment dial and set the focus to infinity, exposure compensation to +1, and choose the smallest aperture (the largest number), i.e. f / 22 o, on some lenses, f / 32.
Point the lens at a uniform light source that fills the entire image (such as a window or the sky) and take a photograph. In such cases, it is normal for exposure adjustment to take a few seconds. There is no need to use a stand as the focus is set to infinity.
Check the image If there are dark spots, the sensor needs to be cleaned.
How to Clean Camera Body | Infographics
How To Clean Your DSLR Camera | Video Explanation
FAQs
How can I clean the body of my camera?
First, clean the body of the camera. Use denatured alcohol and an old toothbrush to remove stubborn stains. Be careful with leather surfaces, as the denatured alcohol can remove the glue that holds them in place.
How can I clean the body of my camera?
Step 1: Remove dust and stains with a dry microfiber cloth. Step 2: For stubborn stains, gently wipe the screen or camera body with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Do not use alcohol or other abrasive solvents to clean any part of the camera.
Is it possible to clean the camera body with alcohol?
Tips for cleaning and disinfecting Canon cameras, lenses, and video equipment. To disinfect equipment, we suggest using alcohol to clean the exterior of camera bodies, lenses, and video equipment, especially frequently touched areas such as handles, dials, buttons, or touch screens.
Conclusion
In conclusion, try not to clean the camera body unless it is really necessary. If small amounts of debris get on the front or rear element, you can remove it with a soft bristle brush or a blower. If it is necessary to clean the unit, be sure to use the proper tools and do it properly.