Underwater Camera Maintenance Tips
Maintenance is one of the duty of every underwater photographer as he always wishes to keep his equipments more protective, more safe, and more clean. Although, maintaining an underwater camera may be cakewalk for experienced underwater photographers, it is always a big question for amateurs. Here are a few underwater camera maintenance tips which would help you in keeping your most prized asset intact.
For any device you use, proper care and maintenance is required to preserve the integrity and operation of your camera. Don’t leave your camera in water for a long period of time and at the same time, don't use any chemical for cleaning your camera because it may damage the water proofing mechanisms contained within the camera. Always, use soft and clean cloth which will cause no damage to your camera.
The battery cover door of camera should be free from hair, sand, and any other object which may cause the doors to close incorrectly. If water drops are present, remove them using soft cloth. Be sure all doors are closed tightly and if the doors are not closed tightly don't use camera in water.
After the use of camera, clean it with fresh water and make sure that all doors are closed firmly. Press the power button several times in water which will help keep the lens free from dust. Remove the camera from water and shake it gently. Check the lens cover and make sure that it is moving smoothly. Open all doors of camera and dry it with clean damp cloth.
Maintenance falls into three categories as given below:
- Pre Dive Maintenance: It involves cleaning prior to a dive. These are easy to conduct procedures that are carried out while you assemble your camera equipments. If you are in hot climate try to assemble your camera in air conditioned room but away from dust and sand.
- Post Dive Maintenance: It is mostly carried out once you are back from the waters. It is not carried out on a beach, or on a boat, because there are very basic things that should be done between dives or when you are out of water.
- Long Term Maintenance: It should be carried out every year. Contact an underwater photography expert and ask them when they recommend that the control O rings should be replaced or for the maintenance of strobe, housing or other equipments.
Make sure that there are no leaks on your camera when you go through the water. Any leak in your housing or a very small smash in your lens can immediately wreck your camera and its lens.
Always check the O rings of the camera. The O rings are critical components of your underwater camera. So always make sure they are free them from sand and dirt. If the O rings are starting to crack, change it as soon as possible. So, always take care of your camera, and try to handle it properly.
