How to Clean a 35mm Film Camera and Lens
Cleaning your camera equipment is part of the basic maintenance you must perform to keep it in good condition. Use a soft blower to remove dust and employ cotton swabs and a liquid cleaner made specifically for your camera to wipe away fingerprints, stains and dust.
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Things You'll Need
- Handheld blower
- Neutral liquid
- Lint-free cloth
- Cotton swab
- Eclipse liquid
Instructions
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1
Remove the batteries and film from the camera. Open the various compartments and use the hand blower to eject dust and debris from the inside. When this is done, close the compartment so you don't blow dust from one place to another. Blow the outside of the camera free of dust.
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2
Clean your lens, using the blower as well.
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3
Use a dab of neutral liquid and a cotton swab to remove stains from the lens. Do this sparingly, so you don't remove the protective coating from the lens. Wipe the lens with a lint-free cloth or a cotton swab. Dry the lens with a second, dry swab or a dry, lint-free cloth.
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4
Apply a small amount of eclipse liquid to a cotton swab and lightly clean the metal parts of the camera. Dry the body with a lint-free cloth.
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5
Review your camera settings. Some come with an option to clean the sensor. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to clean the sensor inside the camera.
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Tips & Warnings
Use only products made to clean cameras when you perform this maintenance. Other products can damage the camera.
If you aren't comfortable performing camera maintenance, take your camera to a professional to have it done for you.
