How to Clean Your Digital Camera

Ensuring your digital camera remains clean and in good condition is an integral part of successful photography. However, it is important to remember the old adage 'If it's not broken, don't fix it'. Take measures to avoid the lenses and screens becoming dirty in the first place. The best form of protection for your lens is achieved by attaching a UV filter to it at all times. This will prevent it becoming dusty or even worse, getting scratched. It is far easier and cheaper to clean or replace a damaged filter than a ruined lens. Filters are available in various price ranges and if your only wish is to protect the lens then a cheap version will do. Individual lenses stored apart from the camera body should always be kept with caps on both ends to avoid them becoming damaged or dirty.

One mistake people often make is to attempt to clean their lens with a cloth or tissue without first checking the lens for larger pieces of grit. These are then picked up by the cloth and dragged over the surface of the lens causing major damage that could have been easily avoided. Any visible grit should be removed using a soft brush or simply by blowing on the lens prior to using a cloth or tissue.

Lens Cleaning Fluids are usually alcohol based and should be used carefully. They are worth using as they will remove difficult smudges and fingerprints when they are used properly. Just add a couple of drops to your cleaning cloth and wipe the lens or screen gently in a circular motion. Always apply the fluid to the cloth, not directly to the item you are cleaning.

Disposable cleaning tissues are also available for cleaning lenses, filters etc. These are impregnated with cleaning fluids and it is important to use them only once and discard them after use. They are usually made from a very thin paper material which is much thinner than the domestic varieties available. Don't be tempted to use any that are not specifically designed for photography equipment as they are likely to be coarse and may damage your equipment.

If you are concerned about the environment and do not like the idea of throwing away used tissues, there are re-usable micro-fibre cleaning cloths available. It is important to keep these cloths in good condition and they should be regularly washed and stored correctly.

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