As you’re likely already aware, photography equipment is not cheap. Camera bodies can cost thousands of dollars, and it’s not uncommon for lenses to be even more expensive than the bodies. As a result, it can be very tempting to baby your equipment: treat it with extra caution and wrap it up in cotton wool so that no harm will come to it.
The problem with such an approach is that you’ll miss out on spectacular photos because you’re so focused on taking care of your equipment. You’ll refuse to photograph near sand, near dust, in humid environments, in snow, in rain. And you’ll keep your gear packed away in a bag until the very last moment, which just doesn’t work in many shooting scenarios.
But I have good news. With the right care and maintenance, your camera equipment will last and continue to perform for many years – no matter the conditions, and without the babying!
As a professional photographer, my equipment is often subject to not-so-camera-friendly circumstances. Rain, snow, dust, and even champagne (yes, really!) are not uncommon encounters for my cameras and lenses. Even though I generally take precautions (for example, I use rain covers on my cameras and lenses if it’s raining), there are times when the conditions are unavoidable and my equipment gets a little dirty. It’s going to happen.
But because I care for my equipment (even though it may look like I don’t!), it keeps on performing and hasn’t let me down yet. So I thought I would share my approach to camera care so you can clean and maintain your gear long into the future, too!
My recommended cleaning supplies
The good news about caring for your equipment is that it’s relatively cheap to buy what you need. Given how so few things in photography are cheap, this comes as a nice relief! Here is a list of what I use to care for my gear:
From a camera store
- Rocket blower: I use a rocket blower a lot! Squeezing it blasts out a puff of air to blow away any dust.
- Lens pen: I have just added one of these to my kit. At one end there’s a small soft, cleaning tip. At the other is a retractable brush. I haven’t had the time to use it extensively but have been impressed with it so far. However, the cleaning tip is quite small so it’s not something I use on my larger lenses, such as my 400mm f/2.8; that would take forever!
- Pre-moistened lens wipes: I love these things. These are almost like the refresher towelettes you can get at KFC, but for lenses. They’re pre-moistened with a lens cleaning solution that quickly evaporates from the lens. They’re also dirt cheap. I use the Zeiss brand ones, which cost a little more than $10 for a pack of 200.
- Microfiber cleaning cloths: Another cheap must-have. I like to have several of these. I use one just to buff lenses after using my Zeiss wipes, and I use another to clean the lenses without any product at all. I avoid using the same one across many devices (e.g., I won’t use a cloth to clean my iPhone screen and then use it to clean my lenses.)
From a regular store (non-camera tools)
- A paintbrush: These are very handy at removing dust from the surface of camera bodies and lens barrels. Buy this brand new. You don’t want it to be super soft either, as it’s just being used on the outside of the cameras and lenses and not on anything that needs to be protected.
- Makeup brush: This is something that people often laugh when they see it in my bag. But then they think, “Hey, that’s a good idea!” If you want to add one to your kit, make sure you buy one brand new. You don’t want your partner’s or friend’s blush going all over your lens! Generally, the more expensive brushes are better as their bristles are much softer. The one I have is also retractable, which is ideal as it protects the brush.
- Tek Towel: I got a Tek Towel for my birthday years ago and decided to use it to clean my gear. It works brilliantly, but a clean towel will work just as well.
- Ziploc bag: This is where I store my cleaning gear to keep it clean and as dust-free as possible!
With these items, I am able to keep my lenses and camera bodies looking (almost) like new. Now let’s take a look at my cleaning workflow!
How to clean lenses
Lenses are easy to scratch if you’re not careful, but with the right approach, you can keep your precious glass clean and scratch-free. This is what I do and recommend:
Step 1: Use the rocket blower
The first step is to remove any larger bits of dust and dirt from the front lens element. For this, I use the rocket blower. Squeezing it blows air out of the tip and will blow away larger, looser bits of dust.
It’s important not to use a cloth for this step as this can drag dust over the lens and scratch the glass element. This is why a rocket blower is very useful and should always be used first.
Step 2: Use the lens pen
Hopefully, the blower was able to remove all the dust. However, there are times when some little specs remain. To remove these, I use the brush on the end of my lens pen. A quick flick of the brush around the lens should do the trick.
You shouldn’t need to apply much (or any) pressure. A light brushing motion should remove all the dust from the surface of the lens.
You may need to do a quick repeat with the blower, though. If you don’t have a lens pen, a makeup brush works just as well.
Step 3: Clean the front element
Your lens glass should now be free of dust and other debris. If there are some marks on the glass surface, now’s the time to give it a little clean.
First, use the cleaning end of the lens pen. It is very soft and doesn’t damage the glass at all, so it is ideal for this. Using a circular motion, work your way around the lens until all the marks have been removed. This may take several passes to achieve.
It’s important that you don’t push on the lens too hard. Just keep going around in a circular fashion until it’s satisfied. Give the lens another blast with the blower if necessary.
If you don’t have a lens pen, a clean microfiber cloth will do the job. Just use the same circular motion. Repeating the motion is preferred over applying more pressure!
Step 4: Get rid of stubborn marks
At this point, I am normally done cleaning a lens. Sometimes, however, there is muck on the lens that just will not budge no matter how many times it’s cleaned. This is when I use the pre-moistened lens tissues.
Using the same circular motion as above, I work my way around the lens element until it’s completely cleaned (I normally go over it two or three times). Then I get a microfiber cloth (generally, one that I use just for this purpose) and give the lens a bit of a buff using the same circular motion. I’ll go over it a few times.
I favor these tissues over sprays because I don’t like the idea of having a bottle of liquid inside my camera bag. If it breaks, it can leak into my gear and cause major damage. I also quite like their single-use quality.
For me, using cleaning solutions is an absolute last resort and not something I do each and every time I clean my gear. I also don’t breathe on my lenses (you know, to fog them up to make it easier to wipe off grime) if I can avoid it. If you’re like me and drink a lot of coffee, your breath can be slightly acidic; with repeated use, it can wear down the coatings on your lens. At least that’s what I read in a Nikon article a while back!
Step 5: Don’t forget the lens cap!
The front element is now clean. But for me, the process is still not yet finished. Before placing the lens cap back on, I have a quick look at it – there could be grit and dust on it that is about to be put back on my newly cleaned lens.
Giving your lens cap a quick once over with the blower and a paintbrush will keep it and the lens cleaner!
Step 6: Clean the rear element
Now it’s time to have a quick look at the rear element (i.e., the bit that goes inside your camera). This shouldn’t be too messy; after all, it stays hidden away when you’re photographing. But dust can fall on it, especially when changing lenses – and this dust, while it may not show up in pictures, can definitely make its way onto the sensor.
I like to give it a quick once over with the rocket blower, making sure the bottom of the lens is facing down. (This will stop any dust from falling back on it!)
Some rear elements are further recessed into the lens than others. With a lens that features a more exposed rear element, I also may give a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth or lens pen.
Occasionally, I’ll give the mount a clean, too, as well as the lens contacts. For this, I just use a Tek Towel, although any clean towel will do. Carefully wipe around the mount and go over it a couple of times. A small amount of alcohol on a cotton tip can be used to clean the contacts. (Cleaning the contacts every now and then can help to prevent errors between the camera and lens caused by a build-up of grime.)
Now it’s time to give the rear cap a quick clean. Remove any dust with the blower and put the cap back on the lens!
Step 6: Clean the outside of the lens
Now that the exposed lens elements (both the front and rear) and the lens mount are clean, it’s time to give the outside a quick look. For this, I whisk away any dust with the paintbrush and wipe the whole surface area with a Tek Towel. If I’ve been at the beach (salt in the air) or my lens got wet with salt water or alcohol, I’ll dampen the towel with fresh water to remove any salt, champagne, etc.
This step, while very quick and simple, has proven to be quite helpful in picking up some things that may need my attention. For example, a while back I was cleaning my 70-200mm lens and I noticed that the end of the barrel was a little loose. I took it to Canon; the team fixed it in 10 minutes and charged me nothing. Prevention is the best remedy.
How to clean a camera
Cleaning the camera is much easier and quicker than cleaning the lenses. I start by giving the outside a once-over with the paintbrush, followed by a thorough wipe-down with the towel. I make sure to dampen the wipe-down towel in fresh water if I’ve been at the beach. I make sure the screens and the viewfinder are all nice and clean, too.
As with lenses, I make sure that the mount and the contacts on the body are clean using the same steps.
While I have the body cap off, I’ll also blow out any dust that may be in the camera with the blower. With this step, I am much more cautious as I don’t want to blow into the body too much. I also have the camera mount facing down to prevent dust from re-entering. This step can help reduce the amount of particles inside the camera that may eventually find their way onto the sensor.
I don’t clean the camera sensor
For me, the camera sensor is where the cleaning process stops. I don’t do my own sensor cleaning because I much prefer it to be done by the right people. Some people like to do their own sensor cleaning, and that’s completely fine. This is just something I like to give to professionals because if anything goes wrong, I can blame them.
My thoughts on filters
You may have noticed that I haven’t mentioned anything about UV filters. The reason for that is simple: I don’t use them. I am yet to be convinced that they will actually save a lens from breaking if it’s dropped and have the view that if a lens is going to break from a fall, it will break, filter or no filter.
I always use lens hoods, which not only help to reduce lens flare but also provide some protection from objects falling onto the front element. However, if you’re in an extremely dusty environment, for example, then a UV filter could be a smart investment.
Keep your camera gear clean!
That’s it for my gear-cleaning process. This isn’t something I do after each and every shoot, but I do try to get to it at least once a month or after shoots where my gear has been a little abused by the elements. It may seem that there are a lot of steps involved, but it doesn’t take that long to do it. It’s even quite therapeutic when you get into it!
I can’t guarantee that cleaning your cameras and lenses will keep your equipment working forever, but it’ll certainly help it last a long time, and it’ll save you from needing to spend tons of money on repairs or new gear.
Now over to you:
How do you clean your gear? Do you have any other tools you use? What’s your procedure and how often do you do it? Please share in the comments below.
