Your Camera & Potential Summer Issues

Written By Larry Harper

During the summer months, we often like to take more pictures. We tend to carry our cameras with us in the car, on hikes, at the beach, or just around our neighborhood.  Yet, at this time of year, we must be extra diligent, because heat and humidity can destroy your camera and camera cards. 

Here are some things to do and avoid:

Don’t:

  1. Don’t leave your camera in your car on a hot day for more than 30 minutes at a time.  If you do, cover it up so it is out of the direct sun (and away from the sight of other people).  Try to keep it in the coolest place possible.

  2. Don’t leave your camera in the sun for an extended length of time

  3. Don’t leave salt water or sand on the camera.  If you have a compressed gas duster, blow off the sand, and any salt residue. Use a clean cotton towel, slightly moist with clean water and gently dry off and wipe your camera.  

  4. Don’t use a paper towel to clean your lens, instead use a compressed gas duster or an air bulb blower with a fine camera brush

  5. Don’t change lenses at the beach unless it is absolutely necessary. 

  6. Don’t leave your camera near a campfire or set it on rocks where it could fall.

Do:

  1. Do buy an optics care and cleaning kit from your local camera store.  These kits are small and should include:
    -Lens cleaning wipes
    -Lens cleaning spray (also good for glasses) 
    -Microfiber lens cloth
    -Air (bulb) blower
    -Fine brush
    -Carrying pouch
    In many cases, these items are included in the sale of a new camera or lens. 

  2. Do keep your camera in a camera bag or a secure pocket of a backpack or “fanny pack” that you can reach easily. 

  3. Do use your camera strap, as the camera might fall in lakes, in the sand, get jostled when hiking, or can fall off the seat of a car, and break. 

  4. Do have a lens filter.  Depending on which one you get, it will filter out UV light and protect your valuable lens.

  5. Do clean your camera and lens after every trip.  This keeps dust, dirt, and other foreign matter from scratching your camera or lens, and extends your camera's life. 

  6. Do keep your camera in a camera bag, away from dust, and in a moderate climate, as heat, cold, and dusty environments are not good for your camera.

If you have questions or want to discuss any specific concerns, you can contact SKÖNPHOTO at info@skonphoto.com

Larry Haper

Managing Director SKÖNPHOTO

An award winning photographer

Larry Harper