How to maintain my new DLSR??

[inkle]

hi all,

i just joined Luminous Landscape, therefore a newbie here. just bought my Canon 400D last 2 weeks ago.

still clueless about how to maintain my camera, my friend told me to buy a "dry box" to prevent the lens and camera from growing fungus. so whats a "dry box"? can a normal tupperware box be use as a "dry box" for keeping my camera??

and how often do i have  to clean my camera? once every 3 months?

can anyone give me a few pointers on this??

Thanks.

inkle.

[michael]

Complete nonsense, unless you live in the middle of the Amazon jungle.

Just use it, and enjoy.

Michael

[Richowens]

Not to seem grouchy, but have you read the owner's manual?  

I am sure you will find a section in there devoted to care and maintenance.

Unless you live in a hot and humid climate, you don't have to worry about a "drybox or drycabinet".

Again, read the manual! Canon spent a small fortune creating it to help you get the most out of your new toy.

Rich

[alainbriot]

Just carry it in a camera bag, padded for shock prevention, and clean the sensor when and if you see dust on your photographs (not in the viewfinder). That's it :-)

[Gregory]

Here in Hong Kong, the humidity can get rather high; > 85% for much of the year, > 95% during March and April!

I have seen 3 Canon L lenses develop mold inside which required professional cleaning. One of the lenses was cleaned too late and the mold had eaten into one of the glass plates requiring a replacement (which wasn't available because the lense was more than 7 years old).

If you use your camera regularly, you shouldn't need to keep it in a dry box. Just using it will keep it healthy.

The same is true for your lenses. If however you have one or two lenses that don't get much use, and your area is relatively humid, then get an air tight plastic box and store the lenses in that box with a few dehumidifier balls or gel that you buy from the supermarket. Or buy an electric dry box; something I did late last year but should have done years ago. My electric dry box is about 16" cube and cost HK$1100, a bargain for the protection it provides my camera equipment in wet months.

regards,
Gregory

[inkle]

well, i'm almost living in the Amazon Jungle    , i'm from Malaysia, very near to the equatorial line and my city is located beside a tropical beach. so humidity is definitely a problem here. so everything has to be kept dry if fungus is to be prevented.  

but like u guys said, use it often and it will be dry n healthy, guess i'll need to build a habit for taking photos daily or weekly atleast.  

thanks for the input, i've gone and bought some dry agent, and am using a Tupperware with drying agent in it, instead of getting a "drypod", much cheaper alternative.  

inkle.