Maintenance refers to the upkeep of equipment.
1
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3answers
114 views
Will a filter cause more or less damage when lens is dropped?
I recently dropped my camera bag from around waist level to the ground. The ground is somewhat padded (carpet) and the bag itself has padding (the typical messenger type of bag's padding). The camera ...
2
votes
1answer
70 views
Nikon Lens Warranty explanation
I want to purchase a good lens of about $1K from Nikon (the 18-300mm lens for example) and I have a few quick questions about the Nikon Lens warranty. I researched online extensively and it seems ...
1
vote
4answers
258 views
Question About the D600 Dirty Sensor Test - Why Use a High f-Stop? [duplicate]
There is a lot of buzz about the dirty sensor problem on the D600, which is apparently caused by some lubricant splattering onto the sensor and accumulating over time.
My question is about the test ...
3
votes
2answers
214 views
How to get rid of dustmites on the camera and accessories?
I usually store my camera inside the carrying case which I received with my camera. Sometimes the camera lays still for several weeks without any activity.
When I took out the camera recently, I ...
4
votes
5answers
287 views
How often should I clean my lens?
You may have read Lens Cleaner Recommendations, and now I would like to know how often to clean my lens. I have been using one lens for about a year without cleaning it yet and recently got a new zoom ...
4
votes
4answers
271 views
Lens Cleaner Recommendations
What is, in your opinion, the best lens cleaner? Which do you think is the most effective/best value for your money/most easy to use, etc.
Please include advantages/disadvantages as well as price and ...
1
vote
2answers
184 views
Do I Need To Turn On A Drybox 24/7?
I'm in a 2-season country, dry and wet seasons. I live in a cold place, with temperature averaging to 19 degrees on the wet season and about 25 on dry season.
Last wet season, after a couple of ...
1
vote
1answer
200 views
Should the lens cover / lens cap be on the camera while inside a dry box / dry cabinet?
Usually, we keep the lens cover / lens cap on the camera if we are not using the camera and we remove the lens cover / lens cap off the camera when we are taking picture.
So, if we put the camera ...
1
vote
2answers
128 views
How to take good care for camera bags or pouch?
How do we maintain the camera bags or pouch so that when we put our camera inside, we feel that our camera are safe and sound?
3
votes
1answer
232 views
I almost cannot switch to manual focus on my Canon 17-40 f/4 L lens
Usually troubles with autofocus are related to a non working AF. I've got the opposite issue: AF is working too well. Actually, it is ALWAYS working, and I cannot turn it of.
Even when I switch to ...
4
votes
1answer
259 views
Should my speedlite burn through batteries when not in use?
I got a Canon Speedlite 430 EX II just a couple of weeks ago and noticed a surprising and annoying feature: If I leave batteries in the flash unit, even with the flash switched off and removed from ...
5
votes
2answers
321 views
Is it possible/advisable to skip firmware updates?
I have found out that I am lagging behind 3 firmware updates for my 50D camera (mine is 1.0.6 and current is 1.0.9). I have not found specific recommendations on the Canon website about the ...
4
votes
5answers
453 views
What is the average lifetime of lenses, specially L lenses
I have a few and they are very well taken care of. Still curious to know, what is the average lifespan of L lenses ( and non L lenses as well, USM version )
any idea?
1
vote
4answers
618 views
Maintaining and repairing Yongnuo vs Canon speedlites
This is somewhat a multi-part question, mostly related to my split-decision on weather to buy a YN560-II (or a several of them) for much less money than buying Canon alternatives (one Canon 580EX II ...
5
votes
4answers
224 views
How do I clean the external forward-facing glass on my lens?
How do I clean the external forward-facing glass on my lens?
Over the last year or so of use it has accumulated a little dust and a translucent smear mark. Nothing serious, but I'd like to remove ...
5
votes
1answer
294 views
Colored powder in a lens: will it need a cleaning?
I was taking photos of people playing Holi. Some of the powdered colour landed on the lens of my Canon Powershot S95, and in the groove of the flash housing. By lens, I mean the cylindrical part that ...
4
votes
1answer
368 views
What is an auto-focus motor?
I recently bought a Canon 550D, and I read it has an auto-focus motor, which not all cameras possess. I'd like to know what it is, and what I can do to keep it running smoothly; AFAIK the manual ...
3
votes
8answers
413 views
Can a tripod head be left always on, or should it be taken off when not in use?
Do tripod owners break down the tripod between uses? I'm imagining going on a flight or something and breaking it down into legs + head, rather than assembled 100% of the time.
Can't recall ever ...
0
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the cause of these round spots on my photograph? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Dust-like speck visible every few pictures — is it dust, or worse?
Is this a finger print on the lens? I don't know.
What can be the cause of the round spot on this ...
2
votes
3answers
797 views
How to smoothen a tripod's head movement?
Few months back I purchased a second hand tripod.
Later on I noticed that the head (which holds the camera) of the tripod doesn't move freely.
I mean I have to apply some pressure to make it move left ...
11
votes
4answers
3k views
Do digital cameras lose picture quality over time?
For some reasons when I look at my first pictures from my camera (DSLR), they look stunning. I know it could be just psychological. Another friend told me that her camera was really good when she ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
What is CLA service?
I've seen the term used in used lens listings, e.g "recently CLA'd".
I have a few questions, but I think they're related enough to only warrant one post:
What does CLA stand for, and what is it?
...
6
votes
2answers
591 views
What is the value of periodic service-center maintenance for DSLRs?
I've been contemplating sending my Canon 40D + lenses in for cleaning & maintenance, and as luck would have it, one of the answers on a recent question recommends periodic maintenance to prolong ...
3
votes
4answers
3k views
How should I take care of my new DSLR?
I am getting a new Nikon D5100 (with 18-55mm VR Lens Kit). This is going to be my first DSLR. I wanted to get some tips from you guys on how to maintain it in the long term. I am getting a 52mm UV ...
10
votes
4answers
1k views
Is it risky or difficult to wet clean an image sensor?
I've discovered spots on the image sensor of my DSLR camera that cannot be cleaned using a blower bulb, so I would like to know the risk of problems, such as further image deterioration or damage to ...
12
votes
2answers
336 views
How to properly clean a camera
I have a Canon Digital Rebel XT. When I look through my camera's viewfinder, I see a tiny speck near the bottom middle. It seems to cause my camera to not focus well (I have autofocus (AF) turned ...
11
votes
1answer
372 views
Is dust in a zoom lens a problem which should be addressed?
I have accumulated some amount of dust inside one of my zoom lenses, visible through the front glass.
It does not appear to affect picture quality as far as I can tell, but I wonder if this is ...
8
votes
2answers
143 views
What do you do to service a lens?
According to this question, proper maintenance & treatment is need to ensure a long lens life.
But other than occasional cleaning, I've never done anything to any of my lenses.
What else should ...
18
votes
6answers
845 views
How long should a lens last?
There are loads of ratings and tests for how long DSLR bodies last, but I have never really seen much that describes the expected lifespan of lenses.
Recently, one of my cheap-o lenses (Nikon ...
8
votes
1answer
173 views
Can you service a tripod?
I have 'inherited' a Bilora tripod that's about 30-40 years old, at a guess. It's in decent nick but some of the head motion feels a bit 'sticky'.
Is it possible to 'service' tripods, or should I ...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
What are the best methods for cleaning really dirty lens elements?
I bought old M42 Pentacon 50mm f1.8 lens from a car boot sale. It works but is pretty dirty and it has also dirt inside (no mould/fungus though).
Opening the lens is not a problem but I would like to ...
35
votes
9answers
2k views
What is the best way to clean lenses and filters?
After removing dust with an air pomp and a brush, what are you using to remove stains from the lens and filters?
So far I'm using the liquid from a Giotto's CL 1002 cleaning kit for the lens, but I'm ...
