Tips for Maintaining Cameras and Lenses on Set

Maintaining cameras and lenses on set is crucial to keeping these expensive precision instruments in optimal working condition and extending their life over time. Here are a few common-sense tips to keep in mind and follow on a regular basis.

Clean your gear
After a long and tiring shoot, your first impulse is probably just to pack up the gear and call it a day. That’s understandable, but serious professionals accord their trusted cameras and related gear with the respect it deserves and take an extra step to clean it up before packing it away each and every day.

This not only extends the life of your precious equipment but also ensures that it’ll be good to go straight out of the bag the very next day. It only takes a couple of minutes to put your dust blower to work and wipe everything down with a nonabrasive microfibre cloth (don’t forget accessories and peripherals like EVFs and camera-top monitors). You can also use a soft-bristle brush to sweep away visible specs of dirt and other potentially corrosive impurities from deeper nooks and crannies. And be sure to vacuum out the storage bag before you put the gear back into it.

Show your lenses some love
Camera lenses in general and cine lenses in particular require the utmost care. When changing lenses, keep the camera pointed down to ensure that errant dust doesn’t end up on the camera’s sensor. Avoid humid environments if possible, especially when storing them overnight, to keep mold from forming. (If you notice condensation in or on a lens, expose it to sunlight until it’s completely dry.) An airtight, watertight storage cabinet is recommended, but an airtight plastic container with a desiccant inside usually suffices. When transporting them, use a proper protective case with sufficient foam to insulate them from shocks in every direction.

Don’t forget about your cables
Cables are an integral but often overlooked component in your on-set camera kit. They’re vital to your day-to-day workflow in many different applications, but when they’re coiled and stored incorrectly, the internal copper line and the cable itself can potentially be damaged beyond repair. For a quick and easy primer on how to do it right, free of unwanted twists, kinks and bends using the foolproof “over-under” method, check out Zen & the Art of Wrapping Cables on Vistek’s YouTube channel.

Schedule routine inventory inspections
A routine inspection is not only a great way to keep track of your inventory but also to make sure that everything is in proper working order before the next shoot begins. Always perform a function check before you put your gear to use. If you uncover a defect or damage, you’ll have time to fix it or find a replacement. It’s also a good idea to label every item (yes, every single item, including the hardware in your kit) with your name and contact info, for an added measure of peace of mind.

Image Credits:

Cinema Lens Photo by Jose P. Ortiz