Tips on keeping gear clean

[Allegan Archer]

Curious what tips you guys have for keeping camera gear clean in the field.

I bought a Sony Alpha A100K yesterday.  Got a decent deal was new just opened box.  But now I have a new "baby"  I want to know what I can do to protect it, keep it clean when I take it to the field.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Clay Hayes]

if weight isn't an issue, look into a pelican case.  They are super durable, and air tight.

when I'm hunting but not recording, I just keep my handycam rolled up in a stocking cap in my pack.

ch

[paleFace]

John i've been toting my cameras in the field for 20+ years. If i'm scouting and not hunting I use a "LowePro" camera backpack designed just for cameras. When hunting I will put my camera body in a large zip lock bag then wrap it up in a towel then try to place it in the middle of my pack. For lenses and the other camera gear I usually put in a zip lock bag as well and then use an old sock. this will protect everything as well as keep it clean and dry. Of course you are not able to get to your camera fast, but i'd rather miss a photograph than have to replace $$$$ camera equipment.

I also keep one of my wife's old makeup brushes in my pack to brush off dust and dirt and a small can of compressed air for tight spots.

As Clay mentioned the Pelican cases are great and I have one that use for transporting my gear when I travel.

[Grant Sutherland]

As with most things in photography, money is always the issue.  I have a lowepro waterproof pack that I've attached a hunting waist pack to with clips.  Because the pack is black and yellow, I've put some camo cloth on it to hide the bright colours.
No matter what, it's going to get dirty so bring a lens brush.  I've found that sunglass cleaning solution works just as well as the photography stuff but costs less.
I'd also suggest that you put a clear tape or cover over your screen.  It reduces the quality that you can see but when (and I do mean when) the cover gets scratched, you can peel it off and put a new one on.  It's better than having to replace the screen glass.

To keep things the cleanest, you should look into getting lenses that are sealed.  This is the most expensive line of lenses but worth their weight in gold.  There's no way dirt can get into the lens and if you're carefull, you won't get any in the camera either.

Camera stores also offer camera body cleaning.  It's a bit expensive but if I'm actually working instead of just playing, I'll get my camera body cleaned to produce the best results.

Hope this helps.

[flyboy61]

O.K. In my experience, expensive stuff isn't necessary, and sometimes is a hindrance/danger.

The Pelican or hard-side cases are wonderful, but scream CAMERA STUFF! STEAL ME! As do the embroidered neck straps, camera bags, etc. Cases and bags tend to be awkward, clumsy, and obtrusive.

Everybody on the face of the earth knows what a  camera bag/backpack looks like. Protection is necessary for our equipment, but there are many products that are low-key.

When I was a reporter for a daily newspaper, I carried my camera and lenses in a bright yellow plastic Forest Service garbage bag. Not elegant, but I could leave it in the car, windows down, or unlocked, and nobody stole it.

Disinformation!   :D  

I have carried several Domke and Tamrac  bags, which are good for traveling, but find that a fishing vest my wife gave me years ago does just fine.  It will carry extra memory, a pencil or pen, a couple of lenses, 2 water bottles, protein bars,sun block, some filters, a flash, light modifier, spare camera and flash bateries, as well as a shower cap (keeps the camera and lens dry in the wet, and a poncho for me.

Having said that, the vests that photo persons love to wear, you know, the ones with "War Correspondent" embroidered in 6 inch letters, look cool, but, in my experience, the lower pockets, the only ones with size enough to carry large tele zooms, are too low. They are forever getting caught between my body and whatever guardrail, pit wall, fence I am leaning over, to get just the right angle. Not good for expensive optics, or the vest. The top pockets are't big enough to hold my flash and light modifier . My fishing vest's lower pockets are higher and big enough for lenses,and the top pockets are large, removing the problem .

I'll never get rid of my vest, because my kids and grandkids gave it to me, but I'll keep using my old fisherman's vest.

Distraction: One pro I heard of  carried his camera an lenses in a gas mask bag.  If you are a family person, think diaper bag...Kermit the frog or cuddly bunnies on it.    :rolleyes:     Who would be dumb enough to steal one of those?  Just don't get it confused up with the real deal!  If you only have a digital P&S, a shirt with big pockets, like the neat fishing shirts you can get at Cabela's will do just fine. I have one. Less is better.

what I am taking so long to say is that cases and padded bags are fine for getting the equipment there, but when shooting ..take only what your experience tells you is absoluteluy necessary, and never look back. Perform, evaluate, modify, reapeat.    

Oh, yeah; learn to clean your camera. It's not hard. A camel hair brush and  blower plus a microfiber cloth or three, and lens cleaning fluid aree all you need.