Maintaining Digital Cameras

If you really want to keep your digital camera in a good condition, then the only way to its proper maintenance is to treat it gently. This means that a consistent care is required to ensure that your digital camera is functional and intact for a longer period of time.

The maintenance of digital cameras includes a careful understanding of the nature of these devices. The main cause behind the camera’s degradation is due to unfavorable weather conditions. The change in the conditions of the weather is what that mostly affect the hardware of digital cameras. As similar to the case of a SLR camera, humidity and moist can be quite responsible for affecting the lenses and imaging sensor of digital cameras.

Storage of digital cameras is also an issue that needs serious attention. If kept in a padded and protective case, a user can ensure the safety of the device from getting physically damaged.

The imaging sensor also needs a regular cleaning. This is located behind the camera’s lens and is the main component of your digital camera. But unlike SLRs, a professional help from the repair shop or an expert can only maintain digital camera’s imaging sensors. It is because the imaging sensors are locked and would require your maintenance guy to unlock the screws of your camera.

Use cleansing fluid frequently to wipe the lenses of the digital camera. Also protect it from dust and scratches that might occur due to long hours of photo shoot. Similarly, the use of air pumps and soft linen cloth will be of good use if you are keen to make your camera free from dirt and spots.

The use of digital card medias is very common in most of such cameras.  So if you are looking for reliance in terms of your camera’s software protection, then debug your memory cards frequently to protect it against viral attacks that might affect your camera’s internal memory system as well.

If you are unsure about the condition of your lenses, then you can upload the images in your computer and view the files in advanced software such as Adobe Photoshop for a scan of the blurred and smeared areas. If you see any unwanted spots, then you should know that the lens or the image filter needs repairing.

The most important thing to be taken as a consideration is the level of attention that you give to your digital camera. A lot of people end up losing their digital cameras by their ignorance in cases like when it gets lost or if it is drowned. I would advise you to use your cameras single handedly to avoid the mishandling of the camera when used by other people.

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Camera Protection

• Use protective filters (UV filters) and caps to protect the lens from sand, grit and salt on the beach.
• Batteries, lenses and memory cards should be changed with incredible care.
• After using water, rinse your hands in fresh water prior to using your camera.
• Camera cleaning kits would be the best buy that includes soft brushes, compressed air pumps etc.
• Be careful not to blow the dirt in while using cleansing pumps.
• ‘Pack light and pack right’ by using zip lock camera bags.
• Take your camera to a repair shop once in a year to check if there are any internal damages (especially at times when you feel that the camera’s key switches or software is not functioning properly)

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• PICTURE PERFECT: How to click great pictures from your digital camera
  
• Use the mode dial functions to get the desired setting to click the pictures.
• Use the white balance meter to choose the type of color settings and contrasts.
•  Do not use flash in the daylight instead of capturing the bright sunlight effect on a hot day.
• Don’t take pictures by standing in anti-light positions such as the sun shining behind a person whose face gets out of focus due to the backlight.
• Try to click several pictures in the same position to obtain a multiple choice for the best shot.
  

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From the Specialist

Keshab Raj Maharjan
Electronic Gadgets specialist
Fotomax; Hotel Classic; New Road
4221568; 4241606

• Always keep the camera in a safe place.
• (i.e. away from water, dust and fire)
• Take out the camera battery when the camera is not in use.
• Do not format the memory card from the computer (i.e. while being connected via a card reader or USB cable).
• Always format the memory card from the camera’s interface options

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Akanksha Upadhyay
Journalist, SONY Cybershot  User

I have been using my SONY Cybershot camera for almost one year now. It has a clear LCD screen and is very handy while capturing moving objects. It has a good resolution function for low light settings as well.