How to Take Care of a DSLR

Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera ownership requires much less technical know-how than even film SLRs, but proper maintenance and storage can keep your camera and lenses working beautifully for much longer, and can save you hundreds in repair and replacement costs down the line.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Always store your camera in a hard case.
   
   Soft camera bags are light and convenient--great for day trips and hikes. But at the end of the day (and especially when traveling) your camera should always go in a hard case. Accidents happen all the time, and when push comes to shove a little neoprene (or worse, a layer of poly fill) won't keep your expensive equipment safe.
   
   A hard case can stand up to a lot more abuse. For example, I was in a terrible car accident a few years ago, and my camera (in a hard case) was in the front seat with me, sitting on the floor. When the engine block was pushed back it shattered my femur... but my camera case, and the gear inside, was fine. Three years later, the case is still in use. It did not require professional repair. The accepted standard for safety in hard cases is Pelican. Pelican cases are air- and water-tight, they float, and the cases and their contents are guaranteed for life against everything except meteor showers and small children.

2. Always cap your lens when you're not actually taking a picture.
   
   Any time your camera is set down or there's a lull in action, put a lens cap on your lens. Lenses become dirty and scratched easily, and can be very expensive to replace. A scratched lens can result in scratches or spots appearing on photographs. Additionally a lens cap can absorb damage if something hits the lens or if the camera is dropped, but without the cap the lens itself is more likely to shatter.

3. Keep a lens cloth, brush, and cleaning solution with you whenever you have your camera.
   
   Keeping lenses clean helps prevent scratches from particles and keeps images crisp. Always use cleaning supplies intended for cameras, and make sure to follow the directions on packages.

4. Keep a clear or UV filter on lenses at all times.
   
   Filters cover the lens completely, so anything that would scratch the lens would instead scratch the filter. If the filter becomes too scratched to use, just replace it. Clear filters are generally very inexpensive, especially compared to the cost of replacing the lens itself.

5. Keep camera equipment out of intense heat and damp weather.
   
   Heat can cause lenses to break and can of course damage any electronics. Never leave your camera in a hot car for long periods, and if you feel your camera or lenses becoming hot after a day of shooting in the sun, try to get into a cooler area and let them resume normal temperature.
   
   If you live in a very humid area, make sure you store your equipment in airtight cases. When shooting in fog, rain, or near bodies of water where splashing might occur, use an all-weather bag or underwater housing. At the very least, put a gallon-sized ziplock bag around your camera with a hole for the lens.

6. Send your camera body in for professional cleaning occasionally.
   
   If you shoot often, I'd recommend at least once a year, more if you shoot outdoors often or under harsh conditions.