7 Digital Camera Predators and How to Keep them at Bay
The Digital Camera has a number of natural predators - things that in just a few seconds could snuff out it’s life and render you camera-less. Learn to identify your camera’s predators and take a few simple precautions and exercise a little care and you can keep your camera operating at it’s potential for years to come (well at least until it’s time for an upgrade). You really can never do enough digital camera maintenance.
Here are 7 natural predators of the digital camera and how to avoid them:
1. Sunscreen and Insect Repellent
It is important to protect yourself from the elements of sun and insect bites when shooting outdoors, however some of the things that you’ll use to do it can cause your camera harm. Sunscreen is generally oily and insect repellent often contains chemicals that you wouldn’t want to get in touch with the more delicate parts of your camera.
The way to limit the impact that these things have on your camera is pretty obvious and largely involves keeping those parts of your body that come into contact with these things clean. Wash your hands in fresh water after applying sunscreen and repellent and you’ll go a long way to keeping your camera clean. If you do get your camera greasy make sure you clean it off as quickly as you can.
Lastly - don’t fall into the temptation of putting sunscreen and repellent into your camera bag. I know it’s tempting so that you don’t have to carry another bag - but it’s really not worth the risk as a leak could end your camera’s life. If you do travel with them together make sure you have a sealed bag for the liquids.
2. Sand
There is nothing that frightens me more than the thought of sand getting into my camera. Cameras have moving parts and to get something as gritty and abrasive as sand into them can quickly put your camera out of action or at least damage it so that you end up with scratches through it.
Ultimately the only protection against sand is not taking your camera to sandy places. Of course this is not particularly feasible and you’ll need to do what you can to keep sand and your camera separate.
Sealable bags are great to travel with, cleaning brushes to get those stray grains off your camera can be useful and cleaning clothes are helpful.
Always be particularly aware of your surrounds and things like wind or people kicking balls or throwing Frisbees when you’re changing lenses, memory cards and batteries as these are high risk moments that sand just loves to swoop in. Also - learn to think ahead about what lens you might need so that you can change it inside in a more stable environment before hitting the beach.
3. Dust
Like sand, dust is a natural enemy of the digital camera. It’s a more subtle attacker in that it generally won’t scratch your moving parts - but it is just as damaging, particularly when it works its way into your camera’s inner parts and settles on your image sensor.
Once again - wipe your camera down each day, be careful of when and where you change lenses and travel with your camera in a sealed bag.
Also if you have a DSLR consider getting it’s image sensor professionally cleaned (or learn to do it yourself - with care) every now and again if you do find marks on your sensor (you’ll notice them most at small apertures - to test it, set your camera to it’s smallest aperture and shoot at a white wall or ceiling).
4. Moisture/Water
Moisture attacks cameras in numerous ways. At it’s most extreme it attacks as water which has the ability to quickly end the life of your camera (I regularly get emails from digital camera owners who’ve dropped cameras in all kinds of liquids including the ocean, baths, rivers and even toilets). Use you camera’s wrist or neck straps to keep your cameras out of water and always be aware of where you put it an how it can be knocked.
A more subtle attacker when it comes to moisture is condensation. Particularly noticeable is when you move from one temperature to another with your camera (for example from air-conditioning to humid ones). Investing in silica gel packs is one way to help with this as they absorb moisture in your camera bag. Some people suggest putting it in a sealed plastic bag when moving between temperatures - this might work well but is not particularly practical in many situations, especially when you have a large camera. Ideally you want to warm your camera up naturally and slowly - it’s definitely a challenge. Other than that - wipe off your camera regularly when in humid environments.
5. Salt
While the beach presents photographers with wonderful photographic opportunities it also can be a dangerous place with many digital camera predators - not the least of which is salt which has a habit of getting into your camera and lenses and causing all kinds of problems (including corrosion).
Fight the impact that salt has on your camera by wiping it clean at least once per day while shooting in salty places.
If you have a DSLR use UV filters on your lenses to give an extra level of protection and avoid opening your camera up (to change batteries, memory cards or lenses) as much as possible. When not shooting, keep your camera safely in your camera bag and be particularly aware of positioning yourself in sea spray on windy days.
6. Thieves
Another natural predator of expensive photographic equipment is the thief when you least expect it will swoop in and steal your gear away from you - leaving you feeling frustrated, violated and wondering what you did to deserve it.
Always be aware of where your gear is and how accessible it is to others. Get yourself a camera bag that doesn’t scream ‘I’ve got a camera in here’ if you can (there are some great brands on the market - I use this Crumpler bag for this reason).
Keep your cameras on your body if in a risky environment, keep your bags zipped up and well fastened, consider having your bag on your front rather than your back in high risk situations, insure your gear and try to be selective and not every travel with too much of it at any one time.
7. Bumps and Drops
The downfall of many cameras comes quite literally when they are dropped or bumped into other hard objects. While some cameras now come with shock proof casings the majority of cameras do not and need to be treated as delicate objects.
Use a padded camera bag or casing (and use it when your camera is not in use, be aware of where you put your camera, be careful when passing it from one person to another etc. Also check your house and contents insurance to see whether it covers accidental damage (many do). It’s just common sense really but I’m quite amazed at how often silly accidents end the lives of expensive pieces of equipment.
Good Gear
Hopefully you’re feeling a little more prepared to venture out with your digital camera feeling confident at your ability to keep it’s natural predators away.
If you’re looking for some gear to help you with some of the above you might like to check out some of the camera cleaning products at Amazon and their range of Crumpler Camera Bags which I’m a big fan of.
This post was originally published in September 2006 but was updated and republished in September 2007
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September 5th, 2007 at 12:45 am
what about security guards?
September 5th, 2007 at 2:19 am
This is a nice and informative article. Great job!
September 5th, 2007 at 4:09 am
This is an helpful article :)
Just a question: to avoid dust what is the best way to keep the camera when you’re at home? Is always a sealed bag the best method? And the body may be without lens?
Thanks in advance and sorry for my bad english ;D
September 5th, 2007 at 4:17 am
Great summary/reminder that I have just shared with my sister: we are both relatively new digital camera photographers.
I intend to print it out and keep it in my camera bag.
Thank You
September 5th, 2007 at 10:39 am
one major flaw on this article. #6 Crumpler bags…
As Crumpler bags get so popular, thieves know that the crumpler bags are for the cameras. Don’t treat thieves as stupid. They maybe to stupid enough to be a thief but not stupid enough to know what crumpler bags are.
September 5th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
no way - you’re right on that - although I still maintain that they’re a little less camera bag-ish than a lot of others on the market out there. At least with crumpler they make other types of bags too - for example I also have a crumpler backpack (not made for anything electronic).
September 5th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Wow, a posts that somehow frightens me. All that can happen…
Great reminder, nevertheless!
September 5th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Good stuff, one tip I would add - if putting your camera in a nice padded bag, remember to do up the bag and not send the camera hurtling out of the bag onto the floor like I did :(
Doing up one zip could have saved me nearly £200!
September 6th, 2007 at 12:08 am
I dropped my new SLR the second day I had it. I didn’t have the neck strap done up properly and it fell off my neck. I took it to the camera hospital (Black’s Photography) and luckily, the camera was okay after they checked it out. The person there suggested I get a lens protector - a class cover for the end of the lens just in case it gets dropped again, the $20 protector would break and not the lens. I now treat my camera like a baby. That was a bad day. I felt sick to my stomach every time I thought about it.
September 6th, 2007 at 12:40 am
Great article. I’m generally careful with my camera, but there are times when I risk the elements to get a snap.
I would suggest a good carry case and a set of sealable plastic bags when shooting in bad conditions.
September 6th, 2007 at 5:23 am
Decades ago I went to a traditional Ethiopian wedding in Boston. I took lots of photos(this was a 35mm film camera:yes I am not a young chick anymore). Since this was my first trip to Boston I was taking pics of other things on the trip as well and had my camera around my neck when I arrived at the airport to frop off the rental gar and catach the plane home.
When I got on the plane I wanted to take a pic and my camera was GONE!. Apparently someone had cut my neck strap and I was totally unaware! My camera and those great photos were never recovered.
Now that I have a digital camera the neck strap is metal!
September 6th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
I used to shoot with a Leica R3. One time I was hiking, bugs were heavy, and I was using some heavy duty Deet. I forgot to wash it off my hands, and it melted the black coating on the camera, leaving my thumbprint deeply placed on the back of the camera. I guess that’s one way to “personalize” you camera.
September 6th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Quite ironic that Canon is currently airing an EOS advertisement (in Singapore at least), which shows a guy with a EOS 400D stomping on the ground creating dust in search of a photo opportunity… I hope no one actually tries that!
September 7th, 2007 at 10:48 am
I found long ago that Saranwrap as we call it in the US, or clear plastic wrap in any language made for a great protective skin over the lens, viewfinder, etc. Any oils, greases, sand, excessive dust conditions and the like were fended off with no visible impact on focus or exposure. And, of course, it could be peeled off and replaced often, easily and a almost no cost.
September 7th, 2007 at 11:52 am
re: thieves. I’ve often wondered about the camera serial number metadata. If it isn’t already, the camera and software makers should make sure that this field stays with the file thru all copies and modifications. Then publicize the fact that anyone who shares a picture from a stolen camera risks being discovered as the possessor of stolen goods. This could dry up the market for using or reselling stolen digital cameras.
September 7th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Re: Home policies - accidental damage to photo equipment coverage
Your comment “see whether it covers accidental damage (many do)” is misleading. All policies cover accidental damage of some sort…none cover deliberate damage, obviously.
The standard home policy _does not_ cover the damage implied by the image of the dinged L lens…as that damage was likely caused by dropping it, not due to the fire, lightning, windstorm, water damage (not flood or accidental dunking), vehicle collision, vandalism, theft and a few other obscure perils provided in standard home contracts, incl. renter and condo policies.
Also, the policies are normally subject to a deductible per claim. The home policy is world-wide respecting amateur (non-income generating) equipment but there are limitations.
It is a good idea to check the policies, but few know how to read them and nothing beats calling an insurance professional (not some 800# CSR) and asking them to show you exactly where it is covered and for what (there are typically 16 +/- perils on Broad Form Contents contracts) and if your equipment is covered if you derive income from it.
Do not take my word for anything…the details vary by state and carrier.
*Few* policies cover the damage implied…not *many*…all scheduled floaters should if the correct use of the equipment is known to the carrier.
September 7th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
PS
My comments were intended for the US market…I have no knowledge about any other country’s policies.
(Forgot you were in Australia.)
September 7th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
A well designed Crumpler bag is the way to go. The one I purchased is very slick. It looks like a back pack but with a single strap which slings across the neck. This allows me to have it on my back for traveling and yet at a moments notice I can sling it in front giving me access to the camera and any accessories. Because of it’s design, I never have to lay it or the camera down. It has a great water pro bag stored at the bottom in case of rain.
One BIG tip that I like to pass on. If you are in a public area, “NEVER” put your equipment in your car/trunk if you are about leave your vehicle un-attended. Only do it when you are about to drive off. Learned from experience.
September 8th, 2007 at 10:11 am
My wife & I are missionaries in Liberia, West Africa. We have an orphanage there and need to take plenty of pics for our newsletters. The problem is with the humidity during the rainy season and the dust during the dry season. It looks like I’ve got a fungus or mold growing inside my lens and I would like to know of a good way to store and carry my camera that will help me to avoid this problem. Currently I have a soft camera bag with lots of silica paks inside that are supposed to absorb moisture, but then where did this fungus come from?
September 8th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
RE: Sondan posted; “Now that I have a digital camera the neck strap is metal!”
That sounds like a good idea for camera security…in fact it was fairly common in the film era.
Now I’m not so sure the injury potential is worth the risk. Having something around your neck that may be stronger than your neck is not that worthwhile IMO.
Cameras are frequently stolen in “distract-snatch/grab-run” scenarios and also by pairs on scooters and m/cycles. (It was “reported” recently that this was so common in Brazil…that it is now illegal to ride 2 on a scooter/m-cycle there…truth/fiction?)
I would not risk injury from a fall, or worse, that might result from these tactics just to protect a camera. That’s why they are insured.
As a suggestion…just carry it over your neck…across your body…under your dominate arm on a padded non-slip strap that does not advertise the brand. If you have ever carried a heavy body/heavy lens combo all day…you would know this is a more comfortable and secure way to protect the camera/lens. The camera is at your side and your hand is right against it. When the combo weighs around 5-6+ lbs. you will never carry it just over your neck again.
You give common street thieves a lot of credit believing that a cable (possibly hidden) will deter them. They aren’t that smart or they wouldn’t have to steal for a living.
I’ve been in the insurance business for nearly 50 years and also have owned a camera store. Trust me…that is really not a good idea.
I’ve used a Tamrac Boomerang strap for 4 years from the 20D to the 1DIII all over the world…comfortably and securely. I’m no spring chicken, either.
September 10th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Dear Mark,
my exeperience teach me to keep my camera in a closed compartment and have a tungsten bulb light turn on all the time to control the humidity. Have a try
September 12th, 2007 at 2:18 am
Dust - I’ve been reviewing some photos taken in March and the dust is horrendous. It is Photoshoppable but what a pain. If you switch off the camera when changing lenses there is less static to attract dust than if the camera is left on. It is impossible not to get some spots on the sensor filter so learning how to clean the sensor with safety is an essential skill but I still find it worrying. Professional cleaning is probably worth doing annually but then you have no camera!
September 12th, 2007 at 11:25 am
For those with a moisture problem - a good way to a good way to dry out your camera ( and lenses ) is to store it all at the end of the day in a ziploc (or similar) bag with a couple of silica dry packs. I used this on a recent trip to Borneo and it really dries everything out.
If you get the silica packs with the indicator crystals (they turn pink when the are all used up) you can dry them back out again for reuse later - though they are so cheap it isn’t really necessary. but for those with limited access to them it is a handy way to extend your supply.
September 14th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
How about fungus? I live in Mumbai, India. It is highly humid here, rains continuously for months during the monsoon and fungus attacks every thing. Any preventive measures. I have a Nikon D 80
September 19th, 2007 at 4:46 am
Although it’s important to be aware of these issues, it’s far more conducive to picture-taking to acknowledge that your gear is a set of tools, not a museum display. I’ve used my camera in rain (sometimes with an appropriately-sized clear garbage bag over it and a small hole just big enough for the lens hood cut in the bottom of the bag), significant dust (at a car rally after dry conditions, also using a garbage bag), snow, and a variety of other conditions.
Sensor dust, in particular, is a near-negligible issue–with ten minutes, a clean workspace, a blower bulb and a set of lenspens, you can have it clean. There’s no reason to not switch lenses unless you’re in particularly hostile conditions (e.g. high levels of dust or water in the air), and I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot in dusty conditions due to fear of dust getting on the image sensor.
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I have a soldier son in Afghanistan. He has a digital camera but is struggling with the sand there that he says isnt sand at all but is “talcom powder”! I am wanting to get him another camera. Can anyone tell me what features would be best in his environment?
Thanks!