Some small tips on camera maintenance needed !

P

plainman007

Well-known member
Hi,

Just got my new EOS-500d with stock lens kit IS 18-55mm and wanted to know some basic things about how to maintain and store the camera.

1. UV FILTER : Is it good or ok to put a UV filter onto the kit lens ? Will it have an effect on my pictures in any way or it it completely neutral and just cuts UV only ? Im considering this only to keep the main lens protected.

2. LENS CLEANING : How do you guys maintain your lenses. Do you just use a puff tool to clear away dust ? I took my camera out for a few pics and noticed a blob or two of dust specs settled on the front lens. Is it ok to huff on the lens with warm breath and wipe with a clean cotton cloth. Or is it not adviseable to ever wipe a lens, in which case how do you clean it ?

3. CAMERA STORAGE WITH LENS : Is it ok to store the camera with the lens fixed on permanantly or do you remove it for storage between usage days.

4. LENS STABILIZER SWITCH & POWER USAGE : There is a stabilizer on/off switch on the IS lens. Will leaving this stabilizer switch to ON draw power from the battery even when the camera is off ?

5. CAMERA STORAGE WITH BATTERY : Do you guys leave the battery in the camera during storage. If so how long is safe to leave a battery in the Cam. The manual says its adviseable to store the cam without the battery for long duration storage. But what about short duration storage. Like say a week or so. Whats the usual period you guys safely leave the battery in the cam ?

Thanks
 
1. Yes, always. The UV filter is clear and won't affect you image, so long as it's multi-coated. If it's not you could get bad lens flares. Buying a new UV filter is better than buying a new lens.
2. Canned air is good for blowing off dust. Do not use a cotton cloth! Get some lens tissues, they are specifically made to not scratch your lens. I breathe on the lens to make it foggy, then gently wipe it off in a circular motion with the lens tissue, as per the directions on the package.
3. I don't have a DSLR, so someone else can answer.
4. I don't believe the IS is powered even when the camera is off.
5. I always take the battery off my camera in case I leave it on, or the switch gets bumped. I'd rather have to spend a few extra seconds getting the battery on than waiting to charge it.
 
Ah, the good ol' UV filter debate

Ah, the good ol' UV filter debate

1) There is debate on the subject, but really, you don't need the UV filter. Unless you get a high quality one, it will affect the final image, and if you do go high end, it's still yet another piece of glass light has to pass through. A lens hood provides similar protection and improves the image. For the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS I think you've got, it's not worth the money. Also, a scratch on the front element isn't the end of the world.

2) I use a lens cleaning cloth. Lens tissues would work fine too. I guess I'd use some compressed air if either of those wasn't enough. After that I'd probably resort to some eyeglass cleaning solution with the lens cloth/tissue. But remember, a) the cloth/tissue will take care of most of your issues, and b) dust in the lens effects IQ less than dust on the sensor.

3) I leave a lens on the body almost always.

4) No.

5) A week or two should be fine. Longer than a month? I'd take it out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top