tips

 how to clean your camera like a pro

Your camera and lenses can easily get covered in dirt and sand during the summer, so there’s no better time to give them a clean. When cleaning delicate photographic kit, it’s important to remove dirt or grit with a brush or air blower before using any sort of cloth or tissues. This will help to prevent dirt getting trapped in the cleaning cloth, which can potentially scratch the surface that you’re trying to get clean. Below we’ll show you step-by-step how to clean your camera in a safe and efficient manner.

Compressed gas aerosols need to be used with care. Unless they’re held perfectly upright the spray can contain propellant, which can cause damage, plus the high pressures can be difficult to control. Try a blower like the Giottos Rocket-air blower or a soft brush instead.

Always put cleaning solution on a cloth or tissue, rather than directly on a lens, and use it sparingly. This will prevent excess liquid from getting inside the camera cavity or lens, with potentially catastrophic results.

Been on the beach or in a dusty location? Then give your bag a clean too, as loose sand or dust can quickly undo all your hard work.

01 Clean the body

With a lens attached to avoid getting dust inside the camera, start by removing any dust or dirt from the outside of the camera and lens using a soft brush. Pay attention to the more inaccessible areas like memory card slots, where dirt is likely to accumulate.

02 Now the viewfinder

Now turn your attention to the viewfinder. If possible, remove the rubber eyecup, and again gently brush off any dust. You can now use a soft cloth or lens-cleaning tissue (not one you also use for lenses, though) and carefully clean the glass of the viewfinder itself.

03 Switch to the screen

Even with a screen protector, LCD screens can become covered in dust, while if you’ve left it uncovered you’ll also find that marks and fingerprints can make it tricky to view your images clearly on screen. Clean it using the same type of tissue or cloth as you used for the viewfinder.

04 Lens/filter tips

Use a blower or a brush to remove any dirt or grit, then use a small amount of lens cleaning fluid on a clean tissue or cloth designed to clean lenses and gently wipe the surface of the lens or filter. Use a
dry area of the cloth (or a new tissue) 
to clean off any remaining residue.