How to Clean a Digital SLR Camera
If you've made the big leap to purchase a digital SLR camera, you'll certainly want to keep it in good condition. As part of your maintenance routine, you'll need to clean your camera at regular intervals. While this task may seem tedious, regular cleaning maximizes the quality of your pictures and extends the longevity of your camera. Read on to learn more.
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Things You'll Need
- Bright lamp
- Lint-free cloth
- Blower
- Swabs to clean sensors
- Sensor cleaner solution
Instructions
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1
Prepare an area for cleaning your camera. Dust the area thoroughly and place a bright lamp or light over your work space.
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2
Use a lint-free cloth to clean the exterior of your camera. Wet the cloth slightly to reach dust in corners of the camera.
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3
Attach your camera to the AC adaptor before cleaning.
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Read your manual to determine how to set your camera to the cleaning mode. This is usually done on your menu. Cleaning mode opens your shutter, exposing the sensor.
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Utilize your blower to gently blow away any dust from the sensor.
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Place a small amount of cleaning solution on your sensor cleaning swab. Gently wipe the swab across the sensor in one smooth motion. Flip the swab and wipe across the sensor again, heading back to where you started.
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Blow away any residual dust. Return your camera's settings to normal. Finish by using a cloth to clean your camera's lens.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider taking your camera to a camera shop for cleaning the first time. Watch them clean the camera and ask for suggestions as they clean.
Purchase cleaning materials in a kit to reduce costs.
Determine if your sensor is dirty by setting your camera to a low aperture and taking a close-up picture of a piece of white paper. Examine your image for marks suggestive of dust.
Don't wear clothing that sheds lint.
Don't use wipes moistened with chemicals.
Never touch the sensor.
Don't lift the sensor cleaning swab while wiping across the sensor. Wait until you get all the way across the sensor.
