How to Clean a SLR camera

Build up of dust and grime can weaken the mechanics of your camera and ultimately affect the quality of images it produces. Follow these steps to give your camera a good cleaning.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• SLR camera
• Compressed air duster
• Hand-squeeze mini duster
• Microfiber cloth

1. 

   Begin by examining your camera's cracks and grooves. Look for dirt built up along these areas where dirt can get inside the camera.

2. 

   Go along these areas using your canned air duster with straw attachment to blow out the dirt.

3. 

   Next, use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the entire exterior of the camera.

4. 

   Then gently unscrew and remove your camera's lens, and set it safely aside.

5. 

   Very carefully use your hand squeeze duster to blow out and dirt inside the camera, being extra careful to NOT touch the camera's mirror. DO NOT use your canned air duster either because the mirror's surface is far too fragile.

6. 

   Place the lens back onto the camera and lock into place.

Tips & Warnings

• Keeping your camera in a protective gear bag while not in use is the best way to avoid dirt and dust.
• Again, do NOT touch the mirror in your SLR camera. The surface is easily scratched, possibly even by a can of compressed air. A SLR mirror should be taken to a camera technician who will use special chemicals made just for this purpose.

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on 6/12/2008 Good article! You can take smudges off of the mirror very carefully with lens cleaning solution and lens tissue. This is not for the inexperienced user however.