How to Maintain Your Camera Equipment: A Complete Guide

Cameras are expensive investments that require proper maintenance to ensure they function properly and last for a long time. At Just Basl Productions we own and maintain five different cameras. Our first rule is as soon as we purchase a new camera when immediately purchase a pelican case to store it and sometimes travel with. Regular maintenance not only keeps your camera in good condition but also helps you take better images. We just want to cover a few things that we do to keep our cameras in the best working order.

Cleaning your camera removing dust and dirt from the camera body is essential for eliminating any build up and or dust particles on your footage. As you know going into post and removing dust from images is much easier than trying to remove them from footage. Here are a few things you can do regularly.

• Use a soft brush or microfiber cloth to gently wipe down the camera body

• Pay special attention to buttons, dials, and other crevices

• Avoid using water or harsh chemicals that can damage the camera

To be honest we do not like to clean the sensors ourselves. We much prefer to send them off to be clean by a professional service. But there are few things we listed below that you could do.

• Use a blower brush to remove any loose debris from the sensor

• Use a sensor cleaning kit to clean the sensor

• Follow the instructions carefully and avoid touching the sensor

• Consider having the sensor professionally cleaned if you're not comfortable doing it yourself

As mentioned above we prefer to store our cameras in pelican cases in a cool dry storage locker in our studio. We know they will be well protected from moisture and the chance of them falling off a shelf and or table. Here are again a few tips below to follow.

• Store your camera in a dry, cool place

• Avoid storing it in direct sunlight or extreme temperatures

• Keep it in a camera bag or case to protect it from dust and debris

• Remove the batteries and memory card before storing the camera for an extended period

When it comes to our accessories for our cameras they are just as important. We tend to store them with our camera packages in each case but we also like to follow the same procedures of cleanliness for all the parts as well.

• Use a damp cloth to wipe down the bag or case

• Allow it to air dry before storing your camera inside

• Avoid exposing the bag or case to extreme temperatures or moisture

When it comes to powering our cameras and storing media it is essential that we apply similar care to our cards and batteries. All of our media is placed in hard cases as well and placed in the cases of each of our cameras. It is the worst thing to arrive to set and forget your media (yes, we’ve done it)

• Charge your batteries before they run out of power completely

• Store batteries in a cool, dry place

• Use a memory card reader to transfer files rather than connecting your camera directly to your computer

• Format your memory card

Some of our cameras have extra protective cages on them for mounting accessories but they also double as protection for the camera. Most higher end cameras are built to take a beating, but most all cameras are not built to drop from high distances. So always make sure to lock down that tripod head before walking away and make sure that camera is stable on the table before walking away. A lot of times if we have to put the camera on the ground, we will straddle it between our legs so no one can walk by and kick it.

There may be times you have to film out in severe conditions. We highly recommend some rain or weather protection for you camera. Even though some camera bodies like a Canon DSLR claim to be weather sealed, most cinema cameras are not. So cover those cameras! We would recommend a name brand like a Kata Cover or similar, plastic bags work in a pinch but they always seem to have holes in them somewhere.

Conclusion Regular maintenance and care are essential for keeping your camera equipment in good condition and extending its lifespan. We also check all of our equipment the day before the shoot. This could simply mean plugging them in and firing them up and making sure all your settings are working and you dont have any bugs in the software. Which brings up another great point, make sure to keep up on your software updates. Some accessories may stop working with some cameras if they are not fully updated! By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can clean and care for your camera, protect it from damage, and capture great footage for years to come. Remember to always handle your camera with care and store it in a cool, dry place when not in use.